Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
(Heb. mashiah), in all the thirty-nine instances of its occurring in the Old Testament, is rendered by the LXX. “Christos.” It means anointed. Thus priests (Ex. 28:41; 40:15; Num. 3:3), prophets (1 Kings 19:16), and kings (1 Sam. 9:16; 16:3; 2 Sam. 12:7) were anointed with oil, and so consecrated to their respective offices. The great Messiah is anointed “above his fellows” (Ps. 45:7); i.e., he embraces in himself all the three offices.
The Greek form “Messias” is only twice used in the New Testament, in John 1:41 and 4:25 (R.V., “Messiah”), and in the Old Testament the word Messiah, as the rendering of the Hebrew, occurs only twice (Dan 9:25, 26; R.V., “the anointed one”). The first great promise (Gen. 3:15) contains in it the germ of all the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament regarding the coming of the Messiah and the great work he was to accomplish on
earth. The prophecies became more definite and fuller as the ages rolled on; the light shone more and more unto the perfect day. Different periods of prophetic revelation have been pointed out, (1) the patriarchal; (2) the Mosaic; (3) the period of David; (4) the period of prophetism, i.e., of those prophets whose works form a part of the Old Testament canon. The expectations of the Jews were thus kept alive from generation to generation, till
the “fulness of the times,” when Messiah came, “made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law.” In him all these ancient prophecies have their fulfilment. Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the great Deliverer who was to come. (Comp. Matt. 26:54; Mark 9:12; Luke 18:31; 22:37; John 5:39; Acts 2; 16:31; 26:22, 23.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(anointed). This word (Mashiach) answers to the word Christ (Christos) in the New Testament, and is applicable in its first sense to any one anointed with the holy oil. The kings of Israel were called anointed, from the mode of their consecration. (1 Samuel 2:10,35; 12:3,5) etc. This word also refers to the expected Prince of the chosen people who was to complete God’s purposes for them and to redeem them, and of whose coming the prophets of
the old covenant in all time spoke. He was the Messiah, the Anointed, i.e. consecrated as the king and prophet by God’s appointment. The word is twice used in the New Testament of Jesus. (John 1:41; 4:25) Authorized Version “Messias.” The earliest gleam of the gospel is found in the account of the fall. (Genesis 3:15) the blessings in store for the children of Shem are remarkable indicated int he words of Noah. (Genesis 9:26) Next follows
the promise to Abraham. (Genesis 12:2,3) A great step is made in (Genesis 49:10) This is the first case in which the promises distinctly centre in one person. The next passage usually quoted is the prophecy of Balaam. (Numbers 24:17-19) The prophecy of Moses, (18:18) claims attention. Passages in the Psalms are numerous which are applied to the Messiah in the New Testament; such as Psal 2,16,22,40,110. The advance in clearness in this period is
great. The name of Anointed, i.e. King, comes in, and the Messiah is to come of the Lineage of David. He is described in his exaltation, with his great kingdom that shall be spiritual rather than temporal. Psal 2,21,40,110. In other places he is seen in suffering and humiliation. Psal 16,22,40. Later on the prophets show the Messiah as a king and ruler of David’s house, who should come to reform and restore the Jewish nation and purify the
Church, as in Isai 11,40-66 The blessings of the restoration, however, will not be confined to Jews; the heathen are made to share them fully. (Isaiah 2:66) The passage of (Micah 5:2) (comp. Matt 2:6) left no doubt in the mind of the Sanhedrin as to the birthplace of the Messiah. The lineage of David is again alluded to in (Zechariah 12:1-14) The coming of the Forerunner and of the Anointed is clearly revealed in (Malachi 3:1; 4:5,6) The
Pharisees and those of the Jews who expected Messiah at all looked for a temporal prince only. The apostles themselves were infected with this opinion till after the resurrection. (Matthew 20:20,21; Luke 24:21; Acts 1:6) Gleams of a purer faith appear in (Luke 2:30; 23:42; John 4:25)
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
MESSI'AH is a Hebrew word signifying "anointed," and corresponding exactly to the Greek Christos. As in ancient times not only the king, but also the priest and the prophet, was consecrated to his calling by being anointed, the word "Messiah" often occurs in the O.T. in its literal sense, signifying one who has been anointed, 1 Sam 24:6; Lam 4:20; Eze 28:14; Ps 105:15; but generally it has a more specific application, signifying the One who was
anointed, the supreme Deliverer who was promised from the beginning. Gen 3:15, and about whom a long series of prophecies runs through the whole history of Israel from Abram, Gen 12:3; Gen 22:18; Jacob, Gen 49:10: Balaam, Num 24:17; Moses, Deut 18:15, 1 Sam 30:18, and Nathan, 2 Sam 7:16; through the Psalmists and prophets, Ps 2; Ps 16; Ps 22; Ps 40; Ps 45; Ps 110; Isa 7:10-16; Isa 9:1-7; Isa 11; Isa 13; Isa 53; Isa 61; Jer 23:5-6; Mic 5:2; Mal
3:1-4, to his immediate precursor, John the Baptist. The character of these prophecies is very definite. The lineage from which Messiah should descend was foretold, Gen 49:10; Isa 11:1, the place in which he should be born, Mic 5:2, the time of his appearance, Dan 9:20, Gal 4:25; Hag 2:7; Mal 3:1, etc. Nevertheless, in the vanity of their hearts, the Jews mistook the true meaning of these prophecies. They expected a mere physical deliverer who
would take revenge on their enemies and oppressors, and give into their hands the empire, the glory, and the wealth of the world. Thus many of them were unable to recognize the Messiah in Jesus of Nazareth; and when he and his disciples demonstrated the spiritual meaning of the prophecies and their glorious fulfilment. Matt 26:54; Mark 9:12; Luke 18:31; Luke 22:37; John 5:39; Acts 2:16-31; Acts 26:22-23; Eph 4:8; 1 Pet 1:11, the Jews felt
scandalized. They expected a triumphant being, according to Ps 2; Jer 23:5-6; Zech 9:9, and that his triumph was to be accomplished by sufferings and death they did not understand.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
anointed