Rambam, The Odds

Interpretations of the Rabbis – Messiah Prophecies

Hebrew texts serve as the basis for the Tenakh and the Old Testament Scriptures, but when it comes to Messiah prophecies, translations and their meanings vary. Christianity and Judaism disagree on some Messiah prophecies, especially those deemed to be fulfilled by the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

Judaism’s interpretations are based primarily on the views of the Rabbi sages who are not always in agreement among themselves on which prophecies point to the Messiah. Differences within Christianity are no exception on such topics as baptism, worship, confessions – even salvation.

Some Rabbi sages became known for their prophecy interpretations documented in commentaries, letters (Responsa) or published works. Other views of Rabbis are expressed in contributions to Gemaras in the Talmud.

Rabbi Rashi is one such renowned Jewish sage esteemed for his Scriptural commentaries. So much so, a mainstream Jewish Bible is named the Complete Jewish Bible with Rashi Commentary.^[1]

Genesis 49:9-10 is recognized by Rashi as a Messiah prophecy making it one of the oldest. Jacob‘s blessing established the foundation for the future Messiah foretelling his descendants would become a “like a lion” and the “sceptre” would not depart until Shiloh comes.^[2]

^{Gen. 49:8-10}“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. “Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up? The sceptre will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.” _(NASB)

Rashi espoused “Shiloh” as the “King Messiah, to whom the kingdom belongs.” Hebrew word shebet is translated as “scepter” or “staff” and, according to Rashi, refers to the future royal lineage of “David and thereafter.”^[3] Appearing again in Balaam’s prophecy, Rashi interpreted the word to mean “a king who rules dominantly” from the future lineage of David.^[4]

^{Num 24:17} “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.” _(NASB)

Another prominent Jewish sage is Rabbi Maimonides, known as Rambam, who authored the Mishneh Torah.^[5] His work is revered for formulating the Law into the 13 principals of Jewish faith and for codifying the halakhah or Jewish Law.^[6]

Maimonides believed Balaam’s prophecy referred to “King Moshiach” (Messiah) who would come from the lineage of David.^[7] Rashi viewed Balaam’s prophecy as referring to King David who “shoots out like an arrow” from Jacob and uproots the sons of Sheth or Seth (the son of Adam).^[8]

Micah 5:2 seemingly unambiguously predicts the place of origin for the future ruler of Israel, yet the prophecy is challenged by some Jewish authorities.^[9] Rashi interpreted the verse to be foretelling the Messiah would come from Bethlehem in the lineage Jesse and King David, then quoted Psalms 118:22, “The stone the builders had rejected became a cornerstone.”^[10]

Some of the Rabbis in Talmud Gemara Sukkah 52a believed the Zechariah 12:10 prophecy refers to the death of the Messiah; other Rabbis disagreed saying it had nothing to do with the Messiah. Rabbi Maimonides was silent in the prophecy while Rashi offered a third interpretation saying the prophecy is a metaphor about Israel.^[11]

Psalms 22 is a passage recognized by Christianity as a Messiah prophecy describing in detail the circumstances of a death consistent with a Roman crucifixion a millennia later. Judaism focuses solely on the question in the chapter’s second verse, “Why have you forsaken me?” as the basis for the Psalm being about the nation of Israel.^[12]

My Servant” in the Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 parashah or passage is viewed by Christianity as predicting the suffering, death and Resurrection of the Messiah fulfilled by the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Judaism generally treats “My Servant” as a metaphor of a single man representing the nation of Israel; however, some Rabbi sages pose other interpretations.^[13]

Rabbi sages, going back to the days of the Talmud, pointed to 5 different Messiah prophecies within the Isaiah 52-53 parashah: verses 52:13, 15; 53:2, 5, 7. Talmud tractate Sanhedrin 98b quotes Isaiah 53:3 as the basis for one of the names of the Messiah.^[14]

Misheh Torah made Maimonides famous and generated fan mail. His response letters to his fans, known as Responsa (or Teshuvot), have become additional important texts of Maimonides’ Scriptural interpretations.^[15]In one Responsa, Maimonides referenced Isaiah 52:15 and 53:2 predicting the Messiah would be identified by his origins and his wonders.^[16]

Rabbi Moshe Kohen ibn Crispin was from Spain and a renowned twelfth century Rabbi and poet. He is acclaimed in Judaism for his Jewish work entitled Sefer ha-Musar, the “Book of Instruction.”^[17]

Crispin espoused that “My Servant” in Isaiah 52:13 of the Isaiah 52-53 parashah refers to “King Messiah” acknowledging his interpretation is in conflict with the prevailing Jewish position. Still not believing that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, his book gave surprisingly bold, verse by verse commentaries defining expectations for the Messiah.^[18]

Rabbi Jose the Galilean was a distinguished Rabbi leader and recognized authority on sacrifices and the Temple. He is reputed for both for his quoted contributions in the Talmud Gemaras as well as for his independent commentaries.

Independently, the Rabbi wrote the Messiah would be wounded for our transgressions quoting from Isaiah 53.7.^[19] “The name of the Messiah is also ‘peace;'” saying, “…and as it is written [Is. ix. 5]: “The prince of peace.”

Frequently seen during the Christmas season in western cultures is Isaiah 9:6, is deemed to be a Messiah prophecy in Christianity. It foretells of a son who would bear the full responsibility for the government and would be known by many names.

^{IS 9:6} “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” _(NKJV)

Judaism generally disagrees saying the verse it is not a Messiah prophecy. Rashi’s commentary specifically refuted Christian interpretations, instead saying it is about the authority and peace of King Hezekiah and King David.

Reading the fuller context of a given potential prophecy can be helpful. Which of these are prophecies that point to the Messiah and set requirements and expectations for the Messiah?

Updated January 13, 2025.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

REFERENCES:

[1] The Complete Jewish Bible – with Rashi Commentary. <http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/63255/jewish/The-Bible-with-Rashi.htm> Dev, Naaleh. Naaleh Torah Online. image. n.d. https://www.naaleh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/understanding-prophecy.jpg>
[2] The Compete Jewish Bible – with Rashi Commentary. Genesis 49:9-10 Rashi commentary. Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 98a. CR Gensis 17:6, NASB.
[3] Rashi. The Complete Jewish Bible with Rashi Commentary. Genesis 49:10.
[4] Rashi. The Complete Jewish Bible with Rashi Commentary Numbers 24:17. Maimonides. “The Law Concerning Moshiach.” NetBible.org. Hebrew text shebet <07626> <http://classic.net.bible.org/strong.php?id=07626>
[5] Maimonides. Mishneh Torah. Trans. Eliyahu Touger. <http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/682956/jewish/Mishneh-Torah.htm> Maimonides, Moses. The Thirteen Principles of Jewish Faith. n.d. <https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/332555/jewish/Maimonides-13-Principles-of-Faith.htm>
[6] Rich, Tracey R. “Jewish Beliefs.” JewFAQ.org. n.d. <http://www.jewfaq.org/beliefs.htm>
[7] Maimonides. “The Law Concerning Moshiach.”
[8] Rashi. The Complete Jewish Bible with Rashi Commentary Numbers 24:17.
[9] “Micah, Book of.” Jewish Encyclopedia. 2011. “Contents and Unity.” <http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/10777-micah-book-of>
[10] The Complete Jewish Bible with Rashi’s Commentary. Micah 5:1
[11] The Complete Jewish Bible – with Rashi Commentary. Zechariah 6:12. Sukkah 52a. Halakhah.com. Trans. Soncino Babylonian Talmud. n.d. pp 74-77, footnote #1-3. <http://www.halakhah.com/rst/moed/16b%20-%20Succah%20-%2029b-56b.pdf>
[12] The Complete Jewish Bible with Rashi’s Commentary. Psalms 22.
[13] The Complete Jewish Bible with Rashi Commentary. Isaiah 53:3-4. Neubauer, Driver & Rolles. The Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah According to the Jewish Interpreters. p 37. Gold, Moshe. “Israel’s Messenger, The Suffering Servant of Isaiah – A Rabbinic Anthology.” Israel’s Messenger. 2009. Jewish Awareness Ministries. <http://www.jewishawareness.org/the-suffering-servant-of-isaiah-a-rabbinic-antholo>
[14] Isaiah 53:3. Soncino Babylonian Talmud. Ed. Isidore Epstein. Sanhedrin 98b, footnote #31. <https://israelect.com/Come-and-Hear/talmud/index.html> CR Neubauer, Driver & Rolles. The Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah According to the Jewish Interpreters. pp 12-16.
[15]Neubauer, Driver & Rolles The Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah According to the Jewish Interpreters. pp XVI, 37, 374-375. <https://books.google.com/books?id=YxdbAAAAQAAJ&pg=PP1#v=snippet&q=Galilean&f=false>
[16] Maimonides. “Letter to the South (Yemen).” Neubauer and Driver. The Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah According to the Jewish Interpreters.> p 374.
[17] Crispin, Moshe Kohen ibn. “Sefer ha-Musar.” Neubauer, Driver & Rolles. The Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah According to the Jewish Interpreters. pp 99-101. Marlowe, Michael. Editions of the Hebrew Text of the Bible. Bible Research. “The Incunabula.” 2012. <http://www.bible-researcher.com/hebrew-editions.html> Rosenau, William. Jewish Biblical Commentators. pp 87-91 n.d. <http://www.archive.org/stream/jewishbiblicalco00rose/jewishbiblicalco00rose_djvu.txt> The fifty-third chapter of Isaiah According to the Jewish Interpreters. pp 99-100. <https://books.google.com/books?id=YxdbAAAAQAAJ&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false>
[18] Crispin, Moshe Kohen ibn. “Sefer ha-Musar.” Neubauer, Driver & Rolles. The Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah According to the Jewish Interpreters. pp 99-101.
[19] Jose the Galilaean. Neubauer, Driver & Rolles. The Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah According to the Jewish Interpreters. pp 10-11, R

Maimonides & Jesus of Nazareth – the Messiah?

Born during the Medieval era in 1135 AD, Moses Ben Maimon came to be known by a single name: Maimonides. In Jewish circles, Maimonides is better known as Rambam, the Rabbi who brought clarity to Jewish Law with some calling him “the second Moses.”

Author of Mishneh Torah, Maimonides’ book is considered to be a monumental Jewish work. He is responsible for formulating the 13 principals of Jewish faith.^[1]

Messiah or stumbling block? Rabbi Maimonides expressed his views on this question about Jesus of Nazareth as well as thoughts on Messiah prophecies, his lineage, and supernatural powers.

Two chapters of Mishneh Torah focused on the Messiah. Chapters 11 and 12 contains characteristics that would identify the Mashiach, Hebrew for Messiah, or would disqualify anyone purporting to be the Messiah.^[2]

Considered controversial, his statements became a target of the Censor. As late as the 1990s, portions of Chapter 11 were relegated only to footnotes and even today requires deeper digging under the names Melachim uMilchamot or Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars.

Explicitly in Chapter 11, Maimonides identified Balaam’s (Bilaam) prophecy as messianic. In a phrase-by-phrase interpretations, in agreement with Rabbi Rashi, he interpreted Balaam’s prophecy as referring to Mashiach:

“Reference to Mashiach is also made in the portion of Bilaam who prophesies about two anointed kings: the first anointed king, David, who saved Israel from her oppressors; and the final anointed king who will arise from his descendants and save Israel in the end of days. That passage Numbers 24:17-18 relates:

‘I see it, but not now’ – This refers to David;

‘I perceive it, but not in the near future;” – This refers to the Messianic king;

‘A star shall go forth from Jacob’ – This refers to David;

‘and a staff shall arise in Israel’ – This refers to the Messianic king…“

Multiple prophecies establish a prophetic requirement the Messiah must be born in the royal lineage of David to which Maimonides agreed:

“In the future, the Messianic king will arise and renew the Davidic dynasty, restoring it to its initial sovereignty.

Describing characteristics that would identify the Messiah when he arrived, the Rabbi expounded:

“If a king will arise from the House of David who diligently contemplates the Torah and observes its mitzvot as prescribed by the Written Law and the Oral Law as David, his ancestor, will compel all of Israel to walk in (the way of the Torah) and rectify the breaches in its observance, and fight the wars of God, we may, with assurance, consider him Mashiach.”

Anyone who denies the Messiah, Maimonides wrote, is denying the prophets, Moses, and the Scriptures. It is the same three prophetic aspects pointed out about himself to his followers and Cleopas by the resurrected Jesus: ^[3]

“Anyone who does not believe in him or does not await his coming, denies not only the statements of the other prophets, but those of the Torah and Moses…

Next, Maimonides described more pointedly the things that would disqualify anyone who might otherwise be viewed as the Messiah. Denouncing Jesus, the Rabbi pointedly called out Jesus of Nazareth by name saying he only “aspired” to be the Messiah, was executed, and that Christianity was a “stumbling block.”^[4]

“If he did not succeed to this degree or was killed, he surely is not the redeemer promised by the Torah. Rather, he should be considered as all the other proper and complete kings of the Davidic dynasty who died. God caused him to arise only to test the many, as Daniel 11:35 states: ‘And some of the wise men will stumble, to try them, to refine, and to clarify until the appointed time, because the set time is in the future.'”

“Jesus of Nazareth who aspired to be the Mashiach and was executed by the court was also alluded to in Daniel’s prophecies, as ibid. 11:14 states: ‘The vulgar among your people shall exalt themselves in an attempt to fulfill the vision, but they shall stumble.'”

“Can there be a greater stumbling block than Christianity?”

Mishneh Torah launched Maimonides into Jewish celebrity status prompting letters sent to him with questions. His response letters, known as Responsa (or Teshuvot), have become additional important texts of Maimonides’ Scriptural interpretations.^[5]

One Responsa was to Yeminite Rabbi Jacob al-Fayumi, known as the “Epistle Concerning Yemen.” In the letter, Maimonides regarded Zachariah 6:12 and the parashah of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 as messianic prophecies. He quoted from Isaiah 52:15 and 53:2 foretelling the Messiah could be identified by his origins and his wonders:^[6]

“…all the kings of the earth be thrown in terror at the fame of him – their kingdoms be in consternation, and they themselves will be devising whether to oppose him with arms, or to adopt some different course, confessing, in fact their inability to contend with him or ignore his presence and so confounded at the wonders which they will see him work, that they will lay their hands to their mouth; in the words of Isaiah, when describing the manner in which the kings will hearken to him, At him kings will shut their mouth; for that which had not been told them have they seen, and that which they had not heard they have perceived. [Is. 52:15] ”

“What is to be the manner of Messiah’s advent, and where will be the place of his first appearance?

…there shall rise up one of whom none have known before, and the signs and wonders which they shall see performed by him will be the proofs of his true origin; for the Almighty where he declares to us his mind upon this matter, says, ‘Behold a man whose name is the Branch, and he shall branch forth out of his place’ (Zech. Vi. I2). And Isaiah speaks similarly of the time when he will appear, without his father or mother or family being known, He came up before him, and as a root out of the dry earth [Is 53:2], etc.”

Supernatural powers of performing miracles, wonders, and resurrection of the dead was addressed by Maimonides in Chapter 11 without mentioning the Gospels nor Jesus of Nazareth by name. What the Rabbi did not say is often overlooked – such miracles could be performed by the Messiah although he did not say it is a requirement.

“One should not presume that the Messianic king must work miracles and wonders, bring about new phenomena in the world, resurrect the dead, or perform other similar deeds. This is definitely not true.”

Was Jesus of Nazareth a fulfillment of the Messiah prophecies or merely a stumbling block test sent by God?

Updated June 17, 2024.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

REFERENCES:

[1] Maimonides. Mishneh Torah. Jewish year 4937 (1177 AD). “The Rambam’s Mishneh Torah.” <http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/682956/jewish/Mishneh-Torah.htm> Rich, Tracey R. “Jewish Beliefs.” JewFAQ.org. n.d. <http://www.jewfaq.org/beliefs.htm> “Moses Ben Maimon.” Jewish Encyclopedia. 2011. <http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/11124-moses-ben-maimon> Furst, Rachel. “The Mishneh Torah.” MyJewishLearning.com. 2010. <http://mobile.myjewishlearning.com/texts/Rabbinics/Halakhah/Medieval/Mishneh_Torah.shtml> Seeskin, Kenneth. “Maimonides.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2006. revised 2017. <https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/maimonides> Maimonides statue. Wikimedia Commons. image. n.d. <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maimonides_statue_-_Cordoba.jpg>
[2] Maimonides, Moses. Mishneh Torah. Ed. Yechezkal Shimon Gutfreund, Brooklyn, NY: Sichos in English. “The Law Concerning Moshiach.” Kesser.org. n.d. <http://www.kesser.org/moshiach/rambam.html#SIE> Maimonides. Mishneh Torah. “uMilchamot, the Laws of Kings and Their War.” 2015. <https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1188343/jewish/Melachim-uMilchamot.htm> Maimonides. Mishneh Torah. Sefaria.org. 2023. “Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars.” <https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Kings_and_Wars?tab=contents>
[3] Maimondies, Mishnah Torah. Melachim uMilchamot. CR Josephus, Flavius. Against Apion. Book 1 #6-7. The Complete Works of Josephus. <http://books.google.com/books?id=e0dAAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false > Luke 24:24-27, 44.
[4] Mangel, Nissen. “Responsa.” Publisher: Kehot Publication Society. 2008. Chabad.org. 2014. <http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/107783/jewish/Responsa.htm> “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jewish Encyclopedia. 2011. <https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8616-jesus-of-nazareth>
[5] Mangel.“Responsa.”
[6] Maimonides. “Letter to the South (Yemen)”. p374. Neubauer and Driver. The Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah According to the Jewish Interpreters <https://books.google.com/books?id=YxdbAAAAQAAJ&pg=PP1&hl=en#v=onepage&q=advent&f=false> CR “Iggerot HaRambam, Iggeret Teiman.” Sefaria.org. responsa. n.d. <https://www.sefaria.org/Iggerot_HaRambam?tab=versions> “Responsa.” Chabad.org. “The Epistle Concerning Yemen.”n.d.<https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/107783/jewish/Responsa.htm>