• Bible Code Software •

The concept of the Messiah in Judaism refers to a future Jewish king from the Davidic line who is expected to save the Jewish nation, anointed with holy oil, and rule during the Messianic Age. This belief originated in Jewish eschatology, and the Messiah is often referred to as "King Messiah" or "malka meshiḥa" in Aramaic. The Messiah is expected to gather the Jews back into the Land of Israel, bring peace, build the Third Temple, and reinstitute the Sanhedrin. The Tanakh describes the Messiah possessing six virtues, including the Spirit of wisdom and the Perfume of the fear of God. In Jewish tradition, there are references to two redeemers, Mashiach ben Yosef and Mashiach ben David, with the latter being the primary focus. The roots of Jewish eschatology can be found in pre-exile prophets, and the main tenets include the end of the world, the redemption of the Jewish people, the restoration of the House of David, and the coming of the Messiah. During the Second Temple period, messianic ideas developed, ranging from political expectations to apocalyptic visions. Apocalypticism played a role in shaping messianic expectations, especially during the Hellenistic Greek rule, as seen in the Book of Daniel. Other texts like 1 Enoch introduced the idea of a preexistent heavenly Messiah, influencing New Testament doctrines. Judaism rejects Jesus as the Messiah, maintaining that the Messianic Age is yet to come. Orthodox, Hasidic, and Chabad Jewish communities hold strong beliefs in the Messiah's coming, with Chabad followers expressing controversial messianic beliefs after the death of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Different branches of Judaism, including Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist, have varying perspectives on the Messiah, with some rejecting the idea altogether. Karaite Judaism also acknowledges the concept of a Messiah from the seed of David. The Talmud, Midrash, and Zohar suggest a deadline for the Messiah's appearance, set at 6000 years from creation. Various Jewish scholars throughout history have provided interpretations and calculations related to the Messiah's arrival.