Zechariah. Midrashim on the 2, 4, or 7, or 8 Different Messiahs.
Contents:
1. Introduction.
2. What is a Midrash?
3. The Biblical Source. Zechariah.
4. Midrash. Four Messiahs.
5. Midrash. Four Messiahs and Biblical Indications.
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1. Introduction.
The word Messiah in Hebrew is pronounced more like "Moshiach" where the end "-ch" sound is similar to an "h."
It means literally "Anointed One" and refers to an appointed Savior.
In the End Times a Final Messiah will appear known as "Moshiach ben David" (MBD).
He will be preceded by, and assisted, by "Moshiach ben Yosef" (MBJ).
Some sources recall additional Messiahs who will appear alongside the first two and help them.
These are mentioned in various Midrashim.
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2. What is a Midrash?
A Midrash according to Wikipedia is # expansive Jewish Biblical exegesis using a rabbinic mode of interpretation prominent in the Talmud. The word itself means "textual interpretation", "study", or "exegesis", derived from the root verb darash ( ), which means "resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require", forms of which appear frequently in the Hebrew Bible. #
Midrashim may be found dating from the time of the Second temple and maybe even from before then.
Nevertheless most Midrashim are of a later date ranging from Talmudic Times (ca. 700s CE) to early Modern Ones of ca. 1500 CE.
The present article is based on Midrashim.
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3. The Biblical Source. Zechariah.
Zechariah (JPS Tanakh 1917) 2:
3 (1:20) And the LORD showed me four craftsmen. 4 Then said I: 'What come these to do?' And he spoke, saying: 'These the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head, these then are come to frighten them, to cast down the horns of the nations, which lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.'
Zechariah (RSV) 1:
20 (2:3) Then the LORD showed me four smiths. 21 And I said, 'What are these coming to do?' He answered, 'These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man raised his head; and these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.'
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4. Midrash. Four Messiahs.
Midrash Shir HaShirim Rabah: 29.
Rabbi Bercah in the name of Rabbi Yitschak said: "Then the LORD showed me four smiths." These are they: Eliyahu, and the King Messiah, and Malci-Tsedek, and the Anointed Messiah for War.
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5. Midrash. Four Messiahs and Biblical Indications.
Midrash BaMidbar Rabah 14:2.
"These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man raised his head; and these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it" (Zechariah 2:3).
There is much disputation concerning the (future) Messiahs.
Some say there will be seven, as it says, "And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men " (Micah 5:5). And there are they who say eight, "and eight principal men." (Micah 5:5). But only four are expressly named, Zechariah (RSV) 1: 20 Then the LORD showed me four smiths.
And who are these four smiths?
# Zechariah 1;20 Then the LORD showed me four smiths. 21 And I said, "What are these coming to do?" #
King David explains it to us:
Psalms (NKJV) 60:
7 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine;
Ephraim also is the helmet for My head;
Judah is My lawgiver.
8 Moab is My washpot;
Over Edom I will cast My shoe;
Philistia, shout in triumph because of Me.
"Gilead is Mine" - This is Elijah who was an inhabitant of Gilead (1-Kings 17:1).
"Manasseh is Mine" This is the Anointed One (Messiah) who will arise from the descendants of Manasseh (son of Joseph), cf.
Psalms 80:
2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,
Stir up Your strength,
And come and save us!
"Ephraim also is the helmet for My head" (Psalms 60:7) - This is the Anointed One for War (i.e. MBJ) who comes
from Ephraim,
cf. Deuteronomy 33:17 His glory is like a firstborn bull,
And his horns like the horns of the wild ox;
Together with them
He shall push the peoples
To the ends of the earth;
They are the ten thousands of Ephraim,
And they are the thousands of Manasseh.
"Judah is My lawgiver" - (Psalms 60:7) - This is the Final Redeemer who is a descendant of David....