Messiahs

Messiah is a term from Hebrew mashiach meaning "anointed one." In religious use, it denotes a future deliverer or savior who is anointed by God; the idea appears in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to varying degrees and with distinct expectations.

In Judaism, the Messiah is a human leader, descended from King David, who will gather the Jewish exiles, rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, and usher in an era of peace and knowledge of God. He is not considered divine, and traditional Jewish expectation emphasizes human preparation and ethical renewal rather than a miraculous birth.

In Christianity, Jesus of Nazareth is identified as the Messiah (Christos). Christians believe he fulfilled prophecies through his life, death, and resurrection, and they anticipate a future second coming that will complete God's kingdom. Different denominations stress different roles—prophet, priest, king, or savior—and eschatological renewal may be emphasized differently.

In Islam, Isa (Jesus) is regarded as the Messiah in some traditions, but not divine. He is believed to have been raised to heaven and will return before the Day of Judgment to defeat the false messiah, restore justice, and fulfill God’s will. The Qur’an presents Jesus as a prophet and messenger rather than the Son of God.

The term is also used in secular contexts to denote any expected savior or transformative political figure, and scholars study messianic movements in history as expressions of hope, identity, and social change.