Messiah

American  

[mi-sahy-uh] / mɪˈsaɪ ə /

Douay Bible, Messias

noun

1. the Messiah, the promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish people.

2. the Messiah, Jesus Christ, regarded by Christians as fulfilling the Old Testament promise and expectation of a deliverer.

3. Usually messiah any expected deliverer or savior.

   Despite the promise and potential that his election represents, we have to accept that our desire for a messiah to bring us sweeping change is not realistic.

4. Usually messiah a zealous leader of some cause or project.

   She was a charismatic, powerful messiah who led her party to numerous political victories.

5. (italics) an oratorio (1742) by George Frideric Handel.

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Messiah British  

/ mɪˈsaɪə /

noun

1. Judaism the awaited redeemer of the Jews, to be sent by God to free them

2. Jesus Christ, when regarded in this role

3. an exceptional or hoped for liberator of a country or people

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Messiah ¹ Cultural  

1. For Jews (see also Jews) and Christians (see also Christian), the promised “anointed one” or Christ; the Savior. Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah who delivered mankind from its sins. Jews believe that the Messiah has not yet come.

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Messiah ² Cultural  

1. In Judaism and Christianity, the promised “anointed one” or Christ; the Savior. Christians (see also Christian) believe that Jesus was the Messiah who delivered mankind from original sin (see also original sin). Jews (see also Jews) believe that the Messiah has not yet come.

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Messiah ³ Cultural  

1. An oratorio by George Frederick Handel on the life of Jesus. Written for solo singers, chorus, and orchestra, it contains the “Hallelujah Chorus.” In the United States, it is often sung during the Christmas season.

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Other Word Forms

• Messiahship noun
• Messianic adjective
• Messianically adverb
• pre-Messianic adjective
• pseudo-Messianic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Messiah

First recorded before 900; 1660–70 Messiah for def. 4; from Late Latin Messīās, from Greek Messī́ās, from Aramaic mĕshîkha, from Hebrew māshîakh, literally, “anointed,” from māshakh “to anoint”

Example Sentences

In Herbert’s original sequel book, 1969’s “Dune: Messiah,” that turn frustrated many readers who expected another triumph and instead found a story that deliberately refused an easy payoff.

From Los Angeles Times

In a small candlelit room in western Kenya, worshippers dressed in white gathered at Christmas to mark the birth of what they describe as the "Black Messiah".

From Barron's

It captures the sensation of being in his orbit as opposed to focusing on any explanations of all that occurred between “Voodoo” and “Black Messiah.”

From Salon

But he got back on track, signing a new deal which would ultimately lead to his third and final studio album, 2014's Black Messiah.

From BBC

In an interview with Rolling Stone following “Black Messiah,” D’Angelo sounded energized and suggested more music was on the way.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• defender
• guardian angel
• hero
• liberator
• protector
• salvation