Moshiach

“HASHEM – may those that contend with him be shattered, let the heavens thunder against them. May HASHEM judge to the ends of the earth; may He give power to his king and raise the pride of his anointed one. (1 Samuel 2:10)”

Many Christians believe that the word Messiah (anointed) is exclusively used in the Hebrew Bible as a reference to their deity, as if the word were a proper noun identifying only him. They apply this unfounded assertion to Hannah’s prayer, insisting the anointed one she references is their deity. She makes no mention of a divine being, only an ordinary king who requires HASHEM’s assistance in everything he does. It goes unacknowledged by most Christians that even their deity declares that he doesn’t know what the Father knows (Matthew 24:36 & Mark 13:32) thus distinguishing himself from divinity or unity with G-d. There is no mention of this or any other anointed king being divine. In fact, when Hannah talks about HASHEM, she affirms His Oneness,

“There is none as holy as HASHEM, for there is none besides You, and there is no Rock like our G-d. (1 Samuel 2:2)”

The Hebrew word for anointed, is moshiach. The two words ‘his anointed’ which are used in this verse, would be written as one word in Hebrew with a possessive pronoun ending. It would read m'shicho. This is the word form used above. Each and every Jewish king is anointed. The man that Christians worship never ascended the throne and never took the title of king, therefore this verse and others like it would not apply to him, so he is not only without divine origin, but also never became an anointed king either.

Since the second Temple’s destruction, Jews have been awaiting the restoration of Jewish life in Israel, including a king on the throne and the construction of the third Temple. This expected king is called a moshiach, translated into English as Messiah, because he will be anointed as were all the previous kings.

“All the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David sealed a covenant with them in Hebron before HASHEM, and they anointed David as king over Israel. (2 Samuel 5:3)”

“Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured some onto [Saul’s] head, and he kissed him. He said, “Indeed, HASHEM has anointed you as ruler over His heritage. (1 Samuel 10:1)”

This verse is the last part of Hannah’s beautiful prayer to HASHEM, who granted her previous request to have children. Hannah is praising HASHEM throughout her supplication. She then ends with a request that those who contend with her son be destroyed, and asks for the future kings that Samuel anoints to be given power and strength.