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Hosanna
Hosanna is a liturgical word in Judaism and Christianity. In Judaism, it is always used in its original Hebrew form, Hoshana. "Hosanna" is the cry of praise or adoration shouted in recognition of the Messiahship of Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" It is used in the same way in Christian praise (this usage has come through the Greek Bible). The old interpretation "Save [Hoshana], now!" which may be a popular etymology, is based on Psalm 118:25 ("Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! Blessed be the one who comes in the name of the Lord" Psalm 118:25-26). This does not fully explain the occurrence of the word in the Gospels, which has given rise to complex discussions. Hosanna, "Save now, Lord" (related to the words Hosea, Joshua and Yeshoua), is understandable when considered as a messianic outcry for help from God to personally come down from Heaven and save the Jewish people. The Hebrew-Israelites were simply calling out for deliverance from their God, which they had done periodically throughout their long history, especially in times of great personal or national crisis (as in the time of Jesus, when the land of Israel was under the control of the hated Pagan Roman conquerors of Judea). |