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View synonyms for Messiah

Messiah

[ mi-sahy-uh ]

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.


Messiah

/ 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


Messiah

1
  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.


Messiah

2
  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.

Messiah

3
  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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Derived Forms

  • Mesˈsiahˌship, noun

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Other Words From

  • Mes·si·ah·ship noun
  • Mes·si·an·ic [mes-ee-, an, -ik], adjective
  • Mes·si·an·i·cal·ly adverb
  • pre-Mes·si·an·ic adjective
  • pseu·do-Mes·si·an·ic adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Messiah1

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Messiah1

C14: from Old French Messie, ultimately from Hebrew māshīach anointed

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Example Sentences

You might know him as the Messiah, the son of God, a prophet of God, or an enlightened and selfless radical who defied the oppressive powers of his time to champion the rights and dignity of the poor and marginalized.

Jesus begs God to let him fulfill his role as the Messiah, and suddenly finds himself back on the cross, where he dies for the sins of mankind.

From Vox

Singing along with Handel’s “Messiah” at the Kennedy Center after waiting in the long line for free tickets.

He was just another wannabe messiah who ended up on the wrong side of the authorities.

You either have to be a masochist or have an acute Messiah complex.

And that is the key to grasping how we Americans can and cannot take him seriously as a would-be political messiah.

Fayyad was by no means despised by the masses, but nor was he seen as the messiah-like figure held up by the West.

He was a nontragic, happy-ending, American Christ: half-messiah, half Santa Claus.

After their restoration, they will acknowledge Messiah at God's right hand as in all things their sovereign Lord.

On the eighth day after his birth, this immaculate Child was circumcised, both because he was a Jew, and the predicted Messiah.

The chief of them went out to get a glimpse of the famous preacher, whom so many hailed as the long-expected Messiah.

Perhaps it may be said, that few nations had even heard of the promised Messiah, and still fewer desired his coming.

These predictions of the Prince Messiah are peculiarly striking.

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Messiaenmessianic