Understanding the Meaning Behind “Messiah”

Mashiach = Messiah

One of the most important words in the entire Bible is the Hebrew word משיח (Mashiach). Most English readers encounter this concept through the word “Christ.” But in Scripture, the original idea begins with a deeply Hebrew concept that reaches all the way back into the Torah.

Understanding the word Mashiach helps us see the identity and mission of the Messiah with far greater clarity.

The Meaning of the Word Mashiach

The word משיח (Mashiach) comes from the Hebrew verb משח (mashach) which means: “to anoint with oil.”

In the Scriptures, anointing with oil was a symbolic act that set someone apart for a sacred purpose. It signified that a person had been appointed and consecrated by Adonai for a particular role.

Because of this, the word mashiach literally means: “The Anointed One.”

Originally, this was not a personal name but a title given to individuals who were chosen by Adonai for leadership.

Three Offices Were Anointed

Throughout the Tanakh, certain leaders were formally anointed with oil as a sign of divine appointment. Three primary offices carried this designation.

Kings

Israel’s kings were known as “the LORD’s anointed” (מְשִׁיחַ יְהוָה).
David himself refused to harm King Saul because Saul had been anointed by God, saying,

“I will not stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed”

1 Samuel 24:6).

The anointing marked the king as the one who would govern Adonai’s people under divine authority. Adonai had David anointed by Samuel when he was selected to become the next king.

Priests

The priesthood was also consecrated through anointing.

Aaron and his sons were anointed for their sacred service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple (Exodus 28–30). Their role was to stand between Adonai and the people, offering sacrifices and maintaining the worship of Israel.

Prophets

While not always formally anointed in the same ceremonial way, prophets were also considered individuals set apart by God to speak His word. They served as the voice of the Lord to the nation.

From Many Anointed Ones to The Messiah

At first, the word mashiach referred to multiple individuals who held these roles. But as Israel’s prophetic writings developed, something remarkable began to emerge. The prophets began pointing toward one ultimate Mashiach who would fulfill all of these anointed roles perfectly.

The coming Messiah would be:

The King
Promised to sit on David’s throne and rule over Israel.
(2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 9:6–7)

The Priest
A mediator between God and humanity.
(Psalm 110:4)

The Prophet
The ultimate voice of God to His people.
(Deuteronomy 18:15)

Rather than separate leaders filling these roles, the Scriptures began pointing toward one individual who would embody them all.

The Messianic Fulfillment in Yeshua

From a Messianic Jewish perspective, this is exactly how Yeshua (Jesus) is understood. He uniquely fulfills the three anointed offices of the Messiah.

Office	Biblical Role	Fulfillment in Yeshua
King	Son of David	Future ruler of the Messianic Kingdom
Priest	Mediator before Adonai	Eternal High Priest (Psalm 110, Hebrews 7)
Prophet	Speaks Adonai’s word	The Word made flesh

Yeshua is not merely another anointed leader in Israel’s history. He is the ultimate Mashiach toward whom the Scriptures have always been pointing.

Mashiach, Christos, and Christ

Language history also helps explain how this concept appears in English Bibles.

The Hebrew word Mashiach was translated into Greek as: Χριστός (Christos)

From this Greek word we get the English term: Christ

So these three words all carry the same meaning:

• Mashiach (Hebrew)
• Christos (Greek)
• Christ (English)

Each means: “The Anointed One.”

This is why the title Jesus Christ does not mean “Jesus’ last name.” It means: Jesus the Messiah (Yeshua HaMashiach).

The Temple and the Messiah

In biblical prophecy, the Messiah is also closely connected with Jerusalem, the Temple, and the coming kingdom of God.

The prophet Zechariah gives a striking picture of this connection:

’12and tell him, ‘Adonai-Tzva’ot says: “There is coming a man whose name is Tzemach [Sprout]. He will sprout up from his place and rebuild the temple of Adonai. 13Yes, he will rebuild the temple of Adonai; and he will take up royal splendor, sitting and ruling from his throne. There will be a cohen before his throne; and they will accept each other’s advice in complete harmony. ‘

Z’kharyah (Zec) 6:12-13

This passage describes a figure who will rebuild the physical Temple of Adonai in Jerusalem, ruling in righteousness while restoring the worship of God.

The imagery ties together three powerful themes:

Mashiach → Temple → Kingdom

The Messiah restores God’s presence among His people and establishes His rule over the earth.

Bringing It Together

Understanding the meaning of Mashiach reminds us that the story of the Messiah did not begin in the New Testament. It began in the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings.

From the anointing of Israel’s kings and priests to the prophetic promises of a coming Redeemer, the Scriptures steadily point toward the One who would ultimately fulfill every role.

The Messiah is the Anointed King, the Eternal Priest, and the final Prophet.

And according to the testimony of the New Testament, that Messiah is Yeshua – the Lion of the tribe of Judah who came first as the Lamb and will return as the King.