HEBREW LESSON


Hebrew Christian? or Messianic Jew? How Language Helps us Share the Good News


Until a little over thirty years ago, Jewish Believers in Yeshua generally referred to themselves as “Hebrew Christians.” In 1975, the Hebrew Christian


Alliance of America (HCAA) made a change in their organization that would have a profound and far-reaching effect on the way we communicate about our faith in Yeshua. Reflecting a transformation of vision that was already taking place among the Jewish Believers, the name of the HCAA was officially changed to the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA). Why is this mere cosmetic change so important? Because it marked a significant shift in how Jewish Believers in the Messiah Yeshua would begin to identify themselves, and how they would relate to Judaism, Christianity, and, indeed, the whole world. Let’s examine these words—Hebrew Christian and Messianic Jewish—to understand why the change in terminology is important for sharing the Good News.


yrIb.[i (iv’riy) – Hebrew


The name “Hebrew” was first applied in the Scriptures to Abraham, who was a descendant of Eber (


grandson of Shem) from whose name the word “Hebrew” is derived. Used to describe a Hebrew man or woman, “Hebrew” means “from the other side”—geographically speaking, a general indication of their land of origin.


rb,[e, ever, a great- In Philippians 3:5, Paul refers to himself as a “Hebrew of


Hebrews,” depicting his strong identification with his people. But even in Paul’s day, “Hebrew” was considered synonymous with “Jewish,” thereby indicating a national affiliation. Today, the term “Hebrew” is known as the language of the Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures), but its use as an identifier for Jewish People is rare—considered quaint and out of date.


Cristiano.n (Christianon) – Christian


Not a Hebrew word at all, but rather Greek, the word “Christian” appears in the New Testament only three times. It is derived from


Cristo,j, christos (Christ), which does have a Hebrew equivalent (see “Messianic,” right). The word “Christian” means “a follower of Christ,” though it was originally used as an epithet (a derogatory term) to refer to followers of Messiah.


For virtually the last two thousand years, it has been universally understood that a “Christian” is an adherent to the Gentile religion of Christianity. Despite the fact that the New Testament uses “Christian” to describe one’s faith as opposed to one’s ethnicity, a stigma has been attached to the term, especially in the minds of contemporary Jews. To the Jewish People, it was “Christians” who persecuted them throughout the ages—from the Crusades, to the Inquisition, to the Holocaust. A “Hebrew Christian” then, to an unsaved Jew, is not only an oxymoron, but a traitor to the Jewish People.


yxiyvim. (m’shiychiy) – Messianic


Although it is not found in the Hebrew Scriptures, the word “Messianic” comes from


equivalent of Cristo,j, christos), which means “anointed one.” From a theological standpoint, the word “Messianic” is identical in meaning to “Christian”—in this case, “a follower of Messiah.”


x;yvim', mashiyach (Messiah, the Hebrew


The use of the term “Messianic” among Jewish Believers can diffuse the stigma attached to the term “Christian.” Indeed, “Messianic” is not merely a superficial variation on “Christian.” Rather, “Messianic” implies much more than a connection to the Christ of the New Testament, but a union with the Messiah of the Jewish People—both of whom are one and the same: Yeshua!


ydIWhy> (Y’hudiy) – Jewish


The biblical term “Jewish” is different from “Hebrew” in that it refers specifically to those Hebrews who are descendants of


Y’hudah (Judah), one of the twelve sons of Israel. However, after the kingdom of Israel was divided in 975 BCE and the Northern Kingdom was conquered in 721 BCE, all that remained of Israel was Judah—hence, for all practical purposes, “Israel” and “the Jewish People” now mean the same thing.


hd"Why>,


Being an historically newer term than “Hebrew,” “Jewish” more accurately describes the racial origin of the Jewish People. As such, a Jewish person not only bears the covenantal responsibility of being a descendant of Abraham, but he is also bound to his destiny as part of the remnant of Israel. “Judah,” meaning “praised,” also prophetically points to the calling of the Jewish People to proclaim ADONAI to the nations, causing them in turn to praise Him as the one, true God of all the earth.


Pronunciation Key: a = “ah” | e = “eh” | i = “ee” | o = “oh” | u = “oo” | ch or kh = guttural sound in back of throat as in “bach” or “loch” not “ch” as in “much” or “charity”


Kevin Geoffrey is a father, a husband, and a Jewish disciple of the Messiah Yeshua. He is also the principal laborer of Perfect Word Ministries, a Messianic Jewish equipping ministry. Kevin lives in Phoenix, AZ with his wife Esther, and their three sons, Isaac, Josiah, and Hosea. Visit Perfect Word online at: www.PerfectWordMinistries.org


20 | Jewish Voice Today NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010


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