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- Messiah:
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- "A word that represents the Hebrew mashiah, the Aramaic meshiha, and the Greek Messias. 'Messias' (John 1:41, 4:25 KJV) is a transcription of the Greek word. The basic meaning of the word is 'anointed one.' 'Christ' is the English form of the Greek Christos, which means 'anointed.' The Septuagint uses Christos 40 times to translate the Hebrew mashiah. In ancient Israel both persons and things consecrated to sacred purposes were anointed by having oil poured over them. In the OT the primary significance of the expression 'the Lord's anointed' refers to the earthly king who is reigning over the Lord's people. The Israelites did not think of crowning a king but of anointing him when he was enthroned. The fact that he was anointed was the essential characteristic of the ruler." (The New International Dictionary of the Bible, © 1987 Zondervan, p. 644)