In ancient times - during Jesus' time - people did not have last names as we do today. It is thus not as though Jesus' last name was "Christ" as some translations assume. Rather, one's first name was typically followed with a notable attribute, such as the village they were from or what their father's first name was.
In Jesus' case, he was often called "Jesus from Galilee" or "Jesus the Nazarene." However, his followers referred to Jesus in Aramaic related to him being God's representative, consistent with the accepted Hebrew scriptures:
Accordingly, the term Χριστός (Christos) refers to "the Anointed" or "the Messiah" or "the Christ" - all meaning someone who was chosen or anointed by the Supreme Being - and thus represents the Supreme Being. This is consistent with both Strong's and Thayer's lexicon.
The Greek root of the word Χριστός (Christos) is χρίω - which literally means, to anoint, or in the derived lexicon, to be blessed by the Supreme Being. Thus the word Χριστός (Christos) means one who is anointed.
We also find that the etymology of Χριστός (Christos) is derived from the Holy Name of the Supreme Being. Simply defining the word as "anointed" would leave it as an adjective - a poor use of grammar.
This term has its basis in the Old Testament, as the Supreme Being instructed Moses to Anoint those He selected to serve Him and represent Him:
This could also certainly be abbreviated to "the Anointed" as it was likely done. However, this would not present the full accuracy of the term Χριστός (Christos).
The phrase "by God" or "of God" is necessary because the word Χριστός (Christos) also has its epistemology within the Holy Name of the Supreme Being. This provides the basis for one being anointed as someone who represents the Supreme Being. One who represents the Supreme Being would certainly be referred to Him. This is confirmed by the phrase:
In addition to God's instruction to Moses in Exodus, we find other clear statements discussing the meaning of “Anointed one” and “Anointed of God” as we review the Biblical texts:
Why would “anointed one” be used in a singular fashion then, such as in:
In Jesus' case, he was often called "Jesus from Galilee" or "Jesus the Nazarene." However, his followers referred to Jesus in Aramaic related to him being God's representative, consistent with the accepted Hebrew scriptures:
Accordingly, the term Χριστός (Christos) refers to "the Anointed" or "the Messiah" or "the Christ" - all meaning someone who was chosen or anointed by the Supreme Being - and thus represents the Supreme Being. This is consistent with both Strong's and Thayer's lexicon.
The Greek root of the word Χριστός (Christos) is χρίω - which literally means, to anoint, or in the derived lexicon, to be blessed by the Supreme Being. Thus the word Χριστός (Christos) means one who is anointed.
We also find that the etymology of Χριστός (Christos) is derived from the Holy Name of the Supreme Being. Simply defining the word as "anointed" would leave it as an adjective - a poor use of grammar.
This term has its basis in the Old Testament, as the Supreme Being instructed Moses to Anoint those He selected to serve Him and represent Him:
[God speaking]"Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve Me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.” (Exodus 40:15)Jesus also states this directly, as he quotes Isaiah 61:9:1-2:
[God speaking]"I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed one always." (2 Samuel 2:35)
" 'The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' " (Luke 4:18-21)As such, the term Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (Iēsous Christos) would be appropriately translated to "Jesus Anointed by God" or "Jesus the Anointed of God."
This could also certainly be abbreviated to "the Anointed" as it was likely done. However, this would not present the full accuracy of the term Χριστός (Christos).
The phrase "by God" or "of God" is necessary because the word Χριστός (Christos) also has its epistemology within the Holy Name of the Supreme Being. This provides the basis for one being anointed as someone who represents the Supreme Being. One who represents the Supreme Being would certainly be referred to Him. This is confirmed by the phrase:
εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίουWhich is sometimes translated to:
"Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord"This is also a phrase used in the Old Testament - as service to God was said to be done "in the Name of the Lord" - with "the Lord" being translated from the word יְהֹוָה (Yĕhovah) - the Holy Name of Jehovah.
In addition to God's instruction to Moses in Exodus, we find other clear statements discussing the meaning of “Anointed one” and “Anointed of God” as we review the Biblical texts:
[God speaking] "This is the offering Aaron and his sons are to bring to the Lord on the day he is anointed: a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a regular grain offering, half of it in the morning and half in the evening." (Lev. 6:20)
He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him to consecrate him. (Lev 8:12)The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments. (Lev 16:32)
He must stay there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. (Num 35:25)
[God speaking] "I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in My heart and mind. I will firmly establish his house, and he will minister before My anointed one always." (1 Samuel 2:35)
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord." (1 Samuel 16:6)
[God speaking] "Do not touch My anointed ones; do my Prophets no harm." (1 Chron. 16:22)
[David's prayer, referring to himself as anointed] "O Lord God, do not reject your anointed one. Remember the great love promised to David Your servant." (2 Chron. 6:42)
[David glorifying God and referring to himself] "He gives His king great victories; He shows unfailing kindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever." (Psalm 18:50)
[David glorifying God and referring to himself] The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one. (Psalm 28:8)
[God, referring to David] "I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him." (Psalm 89:20)
[Isaiah, glorifying God and referring of himself] "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners..." (Isaiah 61:1)
[an angel of God, speaking of Zerubbabel and Zechariah] So he said, "These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth." (Zechariah 4:14)
[Jesus, speaking of himself] "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed..." (Luke 4:14)Thus we can conclude that the Anointed of God is a person who has become God's representative. Such a person is a loving servant of God, someone God has empowered to represent Him and teach others. We can see that God considered all the Prophets as anointed. He considered the priests to be anointed. He considered those who He sent to teach others as anointed.
Why would “anointed one” be used in a singular fashion then, such as in:
"The Lord is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one." (Psalm 28:8)Is David speaking of some person in the future? David is speaking of himself, in the singular:
Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on Your anointed one. (Psalm 84:9)
But You have rejected, you have spurned, You have been very angry with Your anointed one. (Psalm 89:38)We can see here that David is referring to himself as “Your anointed one” because the Anointed of God is a role, title, and position, of being God’s representative.
