a word signifying one anointed, or installed into an office by unction. It was usual among the Jews to anoint kings, high-priests, and sometimes prophets, at the consecration or installment of them, to signify emblematically the mental qualifications necessary for discharging these offices. Saul, David, Solomon, and Joash, kings of Judah, received the royal unction. Aaron and his sons received the sacrificial, unction.—The name Messiah, Anointed, or Christ (Χριστός), was given to the kings and high-priests of the Jews. The patriarchs and prophets are also called by the name of Messiah or the Lord's anointed. See 1 Sam. xii. 3, 5; 1 Chron. xvi. 22. Pf. cv. 15.

But this name Messiah was principally and by way of eminence given by the Jews to their expected great Deliverer, whose coming they still vainly wait; and is a name the Christians apply to Jesus Christ, in whom the prophecies relating to the Messiah were accomplished. The sum of these prophecies is, That there should be a glorious person, named Messiah, descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who should be born at Bethlehem, of a virgin of the family of David, then in its decline, before the Jews ceased to be a people, while the second temple was standing, and about 500 years after Ezra's time; who, though appearing in mean circumstances, should be introduced by a remarkable forerunner, whose business it should be to awaken the attention and expectation of the people. That this illustrious person called Messiah, should himself be eminent for the piety, wisdom, and benevolence of his character, and the miraculous works he should perform: yet that, notwithstanding all this, he should be rejected and put to death by the Jews; but should afterwards be raised from the dead, and exalted to a glorious throne, on which he should through all generations continue to rule, at the same time making intercession for sinners. That great calamities should for the present be brought on the Jews for rejecting him: whereas the kingdom of God should by his means be erected among the Gentiles, and disperse itself even unto the ends of the earth; wherever it came, destroying idolatry, and establishing true religion and righteousness. In a word, That this glorious Person should be regarded by all who believed in him, as a divine teacher, an atoning sacrifice, and a royal governor; by means of whom God would make a covenant with his people, very different from that made with Israel of old; in consequence of which they should be restored to, and established in, the divine favour, and fixed in a state of perpetual happiness. See Jesus Christ, and Christianity.