משיח
mashi'ach
mashiach is the Hebrew phrase for "the promised redeemer of the Jewish people" in Jewish tradition.
In formal contexts, one might use the phrase Melech HaMashiach to specifically mean "King Messiah".
What does it mean word for word?
The word משיח is derived from a root meaning "to anoint", so it literally means "the anointed one".
How do you pronounce it?
mashi'ach
Did you know?
- In modern Hebrew, the same root found in mashiach is used in the word mashiachah to describe 'smearing' butter or jam on toast.
- In ancient Israel, the title mashiach was not reserved for a future redeemer but was used to describe current kings and priests who had been anointed with oil.
- Jewish tradition identifies a specific figure called mashiach ben Yosef, a suffering redeemer who arrives before the final mashiach.
