Abstract

GROENEWALD, Alphonso. The one who is to come: 'Messianic texts' in the Old Testament and other Jewish writings. Verbum Eccles. (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.31, n.1, pp.1-7. ISSN 2074-7705.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ve.v31i1.396.

According to the New-Testament authors, the life of Jesus, as Christ, should be seen in light of the Old-Testament texts. It seems that all the messianic texts in the Old Testament had been fulfilled in Jesus. The Messiah, who had been expected for a long time, was born in Bethlehem. This interpretation by the New-Testament authors has caused the church and Christians throughout the centuries to read the Old Testament as a prophecy, which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This interpretation has caused impatience with Jews, who did not accept Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. This article addresses the question: How did ancient Israel understand the concept 'messiah'? It seems that the term is much more complex than a single meaning would allow the reader to believe. This article thus focuses on the theological functioning of the term within the Hebrew Bible as well as in other Jewish writings.

Keywords : Apokaliptiek; messias; messiaanse verwagtinge; Nuwe Testament interpretasie; Ou Testament; Qumran; Septuagint.

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