In Abrahamic religions, the Messiah (from Biblical Latin Messias, and this in turn from Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ Māšîaḥ (or mĕšīāḥ), pronounced [maː.ʃi.aħ] approximate pronunciation "Mashiaj", meaning "anointed") is the savior or liberator of a group of people or of humanity in general. In Judaism and Christianity, he is a sovereign, descendant of David, promised by the prophets to the Hebrew people. Throughout history there have been many people who were considered Messiahs, but generally, it is understood that this particular title is assigned to the envoy chosen by God, who will bring peace to humanity by establishing the Kingdom of God.

Ha-mashiach (המשיח‎, 'the Messiah'), often referred to as melekh mashiach (מלך המשיח‎, 'King Messiah'), is a Jewish leader descended from the paternal line of David through King David and King Solomon. Under him it is believed that the reunification of the tribes of Israel will occur, the settlement of all Jews in Eretz Yisrael, the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, the beginning of a Messianic Age of universal global peace, and the heralding of the World to Come.

The Greek translation of Messiah is Christós (Χριστός, pronounced Jristos) a word that in the Septuagint translation appears in place of מָשִׁיחַ, anointed one. Christians commonly refer to Jesus of Nazareth as the "Christ" or the "Messiah", or Jesus Christ, believing that the messianic prophecies were fulfilled in his mission, death, and resurrection. They also hold that the rest of the messianic prophecies will be fulfilled at his Second Coming. Unlike the Jewish concept, Jesus Christ is regarded by Christians as the Son of God and, in some branches of Christianity, as God Himself.