ΜΕΣΣΙΑΣ
The Messiah (Hebrew: מָשִׁיחַ, Mashiaḥ) is the central figure of Jewish and Christian eschatology, the "Anointed One" or "Chosen One" by God to fulfill a salvific mission. The word, a transliteration from Hebrew, entered the Greek language through the Septuagint translation and the New Testament, where it is often rendered by its Greek equivalent "Christos." Its lexarithmos (656) suggests a connection to the completeness and perfection of the divine plan.
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The term "Messiah" is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ (Mashiaḥ), which literally means "the anointed one." In ancient Israelite tradition, anointing with oil was a sacred ceremony signifying appointment to a special office, such as that of a king (e.g., David), a priest, or, more rarely, a prophet. This anointing symbolized divine election and empowerment for the execution of a specific task.
Over time, and particularly after the fall of the monarchy and the exile, the concept of the Messiah evolved into an eschatological expectation. The Messiah was anticipated as a future leader, often from the lineage of David, who would restore the kingdom of Israel, bring justice and peace, and usher in a new era of salvation. This expectation was diverse, encompassing both political and spiritual dimensions.
In the Greek Septuagint (LXX) translation, the term Mashiaḥ is usually translated as "Christos" (e.g., Psalm 2:2, Daniel 9:25-26), which derives from the Greek verb "chriō" (to anoint). In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as the Messiah (or Christ), fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, but with a radically reinterpreted, spiritual, and universal understanding of kingship and salvation, transcending nationalistic expectations.
Etymology
While "Messiah" does not have a Greek root, its meaning of "anointed one" is directly linked to the Ancient Greek root chri- (from the verb chriō), from which words like "Christos," "chrisma," and "chrisis" derive. These Greek words were used to render the meaning of the Hebrew term, creating a parallel vocabulary around the idea of anointing and divine election. Thus, the Greek language assimilated the foreign concept through its own linguistic tools.
Main Meanings
- The Anointed King or Priest (Old Testament) — The original meaning in the Old Testament, referring to individuals consecrated with oil as a symbol of divine election and authority (e.g., kings, high priests).
- The Expected Redeemer (Judaism) — The eschatological figure anticipated to restore the kingdom of Israel, bring justice and peace, and inaugurate the messianic age.
- Jesus as the Christ (New Testament) — The recognition of Jesus by Christians as the fulfiller of messianic prophecies, who brought spiritual and universal salvation.
- Title of Honor and Authority — Used as a title denoting supreme authority and a special relationship with God, in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
- Symbol of Hope and Salvation — Broader use of the concept as a symbol of the expectation for redemption, justice, and a better future state.
- Political or Spiritual Leader — In metaphorical usage, any charismatic leader believed to bring radical change or salvation to a people or situation.
Word Family
chri- (root of the verb chriō, meaning "to anoint")
While "Messiah" is a transliteration from Hebrew, the fundamental concept of the "anointed one" finds its Greek equivalent in the root chri-. This root, of Ancient Greek origin, describes the act of smearing or rubbing with oil or another liquid, a ritual with deep religious and symbolic significance. From this root, a family of words emerged, describing the act of anointing, its result, and the person who has been anointed. The connection to the Messiah is conceptual: the Messiah is the "Christos," meaning the "anointed one" in the Greek rendering.
Philosophical Journey
The concept of the Messiah has a long and complex history, evolving through centuries of religious thought and historical events.
In Ancient Texts
Three significant passages highlighting the concept of the Messiah/Christ:
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΜΕΣΣΙΑΣ is 656, from the sum of its letter values:
656 decomposes into 600 (hundreds) + 50 (tens) + 6 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΜΕΣΣΙΑΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 656 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 8 | 6+5+6 = 17 → 1+7 = 8 — The Octad, a symbol of regeneration, new beginnings, and completeness after the week of creation, particularly significant in Christian symbolism. |
| Letter Count | 7 | 7 letters — The Heptad, a number of perfection, completion, and spiritual fullness, often associated with the divine and the sacred. |
| Cumulative | 6/50/600 | Units 6 · Tens 50 · Hundreds 600 |
| Odd/Even | Even | Feminine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | M-E-S-S-I-A-S | Magnus Exspectatio Salutis Sapientiae Virtutis Aeternitatis Salvator (Great Expectation of Salvation, Wisdom, Strength, Eternity, Savior). |
| Grammatical Groups | 3V · 0E · 1A | 3 vowels (Epsilon, Iota, Alpha), 0 Eta, 1 Alpha. |
| Palindromes | Yes (numeric) | Number reads same reversed |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Jupiter ♃ / Sagittarius ♐ | 656 mod 7 = 5 · 656 mod 12 = 8 |
Isopsephic Words (656)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (656) but different roots:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 62 words with lexarithmos 656. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., H. S. Jones — A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford University Press, 1940.
- Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG). University of Chicago Press, 2000.
- Septuagint (LXX) — Rahlfs-Hanhart Edition. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2006.
- Nestle-Aland — Novum Testamentum Graece (NA28). Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012.
- Schürer, E. — The History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ (175 B.C. - A.D. 135). T&T Clark, 1973-1987.
- Vermes, G. — Jesus the Jew: A Historian's Reading of the Gospels. Fortress Press, 1973.
- Collins, J. J. — The Scepter and the Star: The Messiahs of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Other Ancient Literature. Doubleday, 1995.
- Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) — Edited by G. Kittel and G. Friedrich. Eerdmans, 1964-1976.