Lexical Summary hósanna: Hosanna Original Word: ὡσαννά Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hosanna. Of Hebrew origin (yasha' and na'); oh save!; hosanna (i.e. Hoshia-na), an exclamation of adoration -- hosanna. see HEBREW yasha' see HEBREW na' HELPS Word-studies 5614 hōsanná – a transliteration of the Hebrew term (hôsî-âh-nā) meaning "Oh, save now!" or "Please save!" [The -na suffix in Hebrew expresses intense emotion. 5614 (hōsanná) comes from two Hebrew roots meaning, "Save now!" (= "Save I pray!").] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin yasha and na Definition save, we pray NASB Translation Hosanna (6). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5614: ὡσαννάὡσαννά (see WH. Introductory § 408; but L T ὡσαννά; see Tdf. Proleg., p. 107) (derived from Psalm 117:25 Topical Lexicon Etymological and Old Testament Roots The cry Ὡσαννά rises from the worship language of Psalm 118:25-26, part of the Hallel (Psalms 113-118) sung at the great pilgrimage feasts. Originally petitionary—“O LORD, save us, we pray”—it gradually became both a plea and a triumphal shout, preserving the urgency of salvation while celebrating the anticipated answer. Occurrences in the New Testament Six times the word appears, all clustered around the Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:9; Matthew 21:15; Mark 11:9; Mark 11:10; John 12:13). Each setting portrays crowds hailing Jesus as Messianic King, blending supplication with praise. The repetition across the Synoptics and John underscores a shared apostolic memory and the event’s theological weight. The Triumphal Entry as Messianic Disclosure Matthew 21:9: “The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest!’” Here the title “Son of David” ties Ὡσαννά directly to royal expectation. By welcoming Jesus with Psalm 118, the people identify Him with the righteous deliverer anticipated by prophets such as Zechariah 9:9—“Behold, your King is coming to you…humble and riding on a donkey.” Mark 11:10 adds, “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” Thus the acclamation links Jesus’ arrival with the restoration of David’s throne, revealing a collective hope for national and spiritual liberation. John 12:13 testifies that pilgrims “took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord’—‘Blessed is the King of Israel!’” Palms, used at the Feast of Tabernacles, reinforce the eschatological flavor: God’s dwelling with His people. Jewish Liturgical Background During the Feast of Tabernacles, worshipers processed daily around the altar reciting Psalm 118. The seventh day, “Hoshanah Rabbah” (“Great Hosanna”), featured intensified pleas for salvation and rain, waving of lulav branches, and shouts of “hosanna.” First-century crowds simply transport this festal vocabulary into Passover week, but now direct it toward Jesus. From Petition to Praise Even as it remains a plea for deliverance, Ὡσαννά functions as doxology. The grammatical form is retained, yet context transforms it. The crowds effectively declare: “Save now, and You are the One who saves.” The blending of prayer and praise foreshadows the cross, where petition (“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”) and victory (“It is finished”) converge. Soteriological Significance By crying “Hosanna,” Israel asks for immediate salvation. Jesus answers that cry not by overthrowing Rome, but by bearing sin. Matthew places the shout just days before the Passion narrative, highlighting that genuine deliverance comes through the atoning death and resurrection of the Messiah. Eschatological Resonance “Hosanna in the highest” looks beyond the immediate scene to heaven’s throne room, anticipating the consummation when, as Revelation 7:10 echoes, a multinational multitude will cry, “Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” The earthly procession previews the final gathering at the New Jerusalem. Pastoral and Worship Application For the Church, Ὡσαννά remains both intercession and celebration. It teaches believers to approach God with expectancy: petition seasoned with confidence in fulfilled promise. In liturgy, children and adults alike reenact the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday, joyfully proclaiming the same word that once echoed through Jerusalem’s streets. Theological Summary Strong’s 5614 encapsulates the gospel’s tension: the urgent need for salvation and the joyful certainty that salvation has come in Jesus Christ. The term gathers Israel’s festal hope, the prophets’ vision, and the apostles’ witness into one vibrant exclamation, inviting every generation to join the chorus, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Forms and Transliterations Ωσαννα ωσαννά Ὡσαννά Ὡσαννὰ Hosanna Hosanná Hosannà Hōsanna Hōsanná Hōsannà osanna ŌsannaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 21:9 HebGRK: ἔκραζον λέγοντες Ὡσαννὰ τῷ υἱῷ NAS: were shouting, Hosanna to the Son KJV: saying, Hosanna to the Son INT: were crying out saying Hosanna to the Son Matthew 21:9 Heb Matthew 21:15 Heb Mark 11:9 Heb Mark 11:10 Heb John 12:13 Heb |
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