messiah
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messiah
In the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), the expected savior or bringer of salvation sent by God. In Christianity, Jesus Christ is understood to be the Messiah.
Die Christen glauben, dass Jesus der Messias ist, der die Menschheit von ihren Sünden erlöst hat.
Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah who redeemed humanity from its sins.
The word comes from Hebrew and means 'der Gesalbte' (the anointed one). It has central significance in the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), where it refers to a savior figure sent by God.
Im Judentum wird die Ankunft des Messias noch erwartet.
In Judaism, the arrival of the Messiah is still expected.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the fact that the word refers to secular people, for example politicians, athletes, or managers. It often carries a certain irony or exaggeration.
Der neue Stürmer wird von den Fans als der Messias gefeiert, der den Verein zum Titel schießen soll.
The new striker is celebrated by the fans as the messiah who is supposed to shoot the club to the title.
In the figurative meaning, 'Messias' (messiah) is often used in fixed phrases: someone is 'als Messias gefeiert' (celebrated as a messiah), people 'wartet auf einen Messias' (wait for a messiah), or someone 'spielt sich als Messias auf' (acts as if they were a messiah).
Manche Leute warten auf einen politischen Messias, der alle Probleme des Landes löst.
Some people are waiting for a political messiah who will solve all the country's problems.
prophet
'der Prophet' and 'der Messias' can both appear in religious texts and are therefore easy to confuse. A 'Prophet' is a messenger or proclaimer who communicates God's will or predicts future developments. The 'Messias', on the other hand, is the expected savior or bringer of salvation. The difference is similar in figurative use too: a prophet predicts something or gives a warning, while a messiah is expected to solve all problems. So you should ask: Is it about a message or prediction? Then 'Prophet' fits. Is it about rescue or great hope? Then 'Messias' fits.
Der neue Trainer wird von manchen Fans wie ein Messias erwartet.
Some fans are waiting for the new coach as if he were a messiah.
Viele sahen ihn als Propheten, weil er die Krise früh vorausgesagt hatte.
Many saw him as a prophet because he had predicted the crisis early on.