Messiah: meaning, definitions and examples

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messiah

[ məˈsaɪə ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

religious belief

A messiah is a savior or liberator of a particular group of people, often used in the context of religious beliefs. The concept of a messiah is common in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Examples of usage

The Jewish people believe that the Messiah will come to restore the kingdom of Israel.
Christians consider Jesus to be the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament.
In Islam, Isa (Jesus) is also regarded as a Messiah.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

leader

A messiah can also refer to a charismatic or influential leader who is believed to bring about great change or reform in society.

Synonyms

deliverer, redeemer, savior.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
messiah	Used in a religious or spiritual context, often referring to a prophesied savior or liberator of a group of people. Many await the coming of the messiah. In Christian belief, Jesus is considered the messiah.
savior	Can be used both in religious contexts and more generally to refer to someone who saves others from danger or difficulty. The lifeguard was a savior for the drowning swimmer. For many, he is not just a leader but a savior.
redeemer	Typically used in religious contexts to refer to someone who saves souls or is involved in the salvation of individuals from sin. In Christianity, Jesus Christ is known as the Redeemer. She saw him as a redeemer of lost souls.
deliverer	Often used in contexts where someone is saved or liberated from danger or oppression. The hero was seen as the deliverer of the people. In ancient times, Moses was the deliverer of the Israelites from Egypt.

Examples of usage

The political party hailed the new candidate as a messiah who would solve all the country's problems.
The young revolutionary was seen as a messiah by the oppressed population.

Translations

Translations of the word "messiah" in other languages:

🇵🇹 messias

🇮🇳 मसीहा

🇩🇪 Messias

🇮🇩 Mesias

🇺🇦 месія

🇵🇱 Mesjasz

🇯🇵 メシア (Meshia)

🇫🇷 messie

🇪🇸 mesías

🇹🇷 mesih

🇰🇷 메시아 (mesia)

🇸🇦 المسيح

🇨🇿 Mesiáš

🇸🇰 Mesiáš

🇨🇳 弥赛亚 (Mí sài yà)

🇸🇮 mesija

🇮🇸 messías

🇰🇿 мессия

🇬🇪 მესია (mesia)

🇦🇿 Məsih

🇲🇽 mesías

Etymology

The term 'messiah' originated from the Hebrew word 'māšîaḥ', meaning 'anointed one'. In ancient Jewish tradition, the messiah was a future king from the Davidic line who would bring peace and prosperity to the Jewish people. The concept of a messiah evolved over time and became a central figure in Christianity and Islam as well. The idea of a messiah continues to be a significant theological and cultural concept in many religions and societies.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,229, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
27226 pecked
27227 blissfully
27228 scarcer
27229 messiah
27230 rummaging
27231 underscoring
27232 silting
...