אם ישוע היה המשיח היהודי? Was Jesus the Jewish Messiah? The question of whether Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah is central to the faith of Christianity and a profound point of reflection in Jewish eschatology. Let’s explore ten key prophecies from the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and how Jesus is seen as their fulfillment. 1. The Timing of the Messiah – Daniel 9:24-27 (דניאל ט:כד-כז) Prophecy: The Messiah (“מָשִׁיחַ”) would appear before the destruction of the Second Temple. •“After the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary” (Daniel 9:26). Fulfillment: •Jesus was crucified (~30 CE), and the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. 2. The Virgin Birth – Isaiah 7:14 (ישעיהו ז:יד) Prophecy: •“Behold, the virgin (הָעַלְמָה) shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Fulfillment: •According to Matthew 1:22-23, Jesus’ miraculous birth fulfilled this prophecy. 3. Born in Bethlehem – Micah 5:2 (מיכה ה:א) Prophecy: •“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2). Fulfillment: •Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as recorded in Matthew 2:1 and Luke 2:4-7. 4. A Forerunner Preparing the Way – Malachi 3:1 (מלאכי ג:א) Prophecy: •“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.” Fulfillment: •John the Baptist is identified as this messenger in Matthew 11:10 and Mark 1:2-4, preparing the way for Jesus. 5. Entering Jerusalem on a Donkey – Zechariah 9:9 (זכריה ט:ט) Prophecy: •“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey.” Fulfillment: •Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21:1-11). 6. Betrayed for Thirty Pieces of Silver – Zechariah 11:12-13 (זכריה יא:יב-יג) Prophecy: •“They weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver… and I threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter.” Fulfillment: •Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, later throwing the money into the Temple (Matthew 26:14-16; 27:3-10). 7. Pierced Hands and Feet – Psalm 22:16 (תהילים כב:יז) Prophecy: •“They have pierced my hands and feet.” Fulfillment: •Jesus was crucified, fulfilling this detail about the Messiah’s suffering (John 19:18; Luke 24:39). 8. Cast Lots for His Clothing – Psalm 22:18 (תהילים כב:יט) Prophecy: •“They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” Fulfillment: •Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothing at His crucifixion (John 19:23-24). 9. Silent Before His Accusers – Isaiah 53:7 (ישעיהו נג:ז) Prophecy: •“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.” Fulfillment: •Jesus remained silent during His trial before Pilate (Matthew 27:12-14). 10. The Resurrection Foretold – Psalm 16:10 (תהילים טז:י) Prophecy: •“For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” Fulfillment: •Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, as the apostles testified (Acts 2:25-31). Conclusion Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection align with many Messianic prophecies in the Hebrew Bible. While Jewish interpretations often see these prophecies as yet to be fulfilled in a future messianic era, Christians believe Jesus uniquely fulfilled them.