The Historical Messiah
Although not drastically, the conception of the Messiah has changed throughout history. It finds its roots in its original meaning of "anointed one." At first, it was used to mean anyone who was anointed with oil. The term came to its present use as it was used for people of importance meaning chosen. King David himself was "chosen" and anointed with oil as is shown above in a wall painting from the ancient Jewish community at Dura-Europos. Because of the associations with David and the chosen descendant of him at the end of time, the term achieved its present meaning as the savior or redeemer.
During the period of the Second Temple, there came to be more messianic figures. For example, Zechariah makes mention of a high priest and a messianic king and the Dead Sea Scrolls add a third figure-a prophet of the Last Days. This prophet is presumably Elijah, who announces the coming of the Messiah by blowing his shofar, or ram's horn from the top of Mount Carmel. These three figures, the king, priest and prophet go along with the anticipated characteristics of the kingdom to come at the end of days-kingdom, priesthood and prophecy. Elijah, who is sometimes also referred to a high priest, is an important figure in regard to the Messiah because of his duties before the actual coming. It is his job to end all the disputes of mankind and bring closure to all of the questions and religious doubts that exist. Perhaps his most important job, though, is to restore three things to Israel: a flask of manna, which will provide the food for Israel, a flask of water for purification, and a flask of oil, which with Elijah will anoint the Messiah when he comes.
One of the other major prophets associated with the Messiah is Ezekiel, in whose book of the Bible the events told closely mirror those expected in the time of the Messiah and the messianic age.
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The image on the left, entitled Ezekiel's Vision is one of the wall paintings at Dura-Europos. It shows the Mount of Olives on the right side, out of which the rising dead come. Ezekiel was one of few who had the power to awaken the dead, just as the Messiah will do. There are the hands of God coming down in the top. For information on another of the prophets, Isaiah, see Messianic Idea. |
There have been many different conceptions of Messiah, his duty, name, and lineage over time, depending upon the period. For example, during the Middle Ages, a lot of messianic literature came up in response to medieval ideas. One text, the Book of Zerubbabel, tells of a woman, named Hephzebah, who accompanies Messiah ben Joseph (see Jewish Messiah ) into war with the enemies, where he is killed. After his death, she will save Jerusalem in anticipation of her son's, Messiah ben David's, rule.
Early on in the history of the Jews, many revolts broke out as attempts were made to gain back from the enemies what rightfully belonged to the Jewish people. One of the largest and most successful was the Bar Kochba Revolution (also Bar Kokhba and Bar Cochba). It arose out of the hope pf the Jews that a Messiah would come and end Roman rule over the area. Tensions peaked when the Roman Emporer Hadrian visited Israel in 130 C.E. and calle for two decrees that went against some of the central ideas and practices of the Jewish people. First, he forbade the practice of circumcision and second, he called to reconstruct Jerusalem as a Roman city that included a temple to Zeus and a new name: Aelia Capitolina. The actual revolt broke out in 132 C.E. led by Simeon ben Kosiba who was proclaimed "King-Messiah." His name has been changed to th similar sounding Bar Kochba, which appropriately means "son of a star." At first, the revolt drove the Romans out of Jerusalem, but they regained it and forbid the Jews from entering it, further alienating them from their country.