What is a Messiah?

A Messiah is a savior or liberator figure in various religious traditions, most notably in Judaism and Christianity. In Judaism, the Messiah is expected to be a future Jewish king from the Davidic line who will be anointed and bring about an era of peace and divine justice. In Christianity, Jesus is regarded as the Messiah who was prophesied in the Old Testament and is believed to have fulfilled this role through his life, death, and resurrection. The concept and expectations of the Messiah differ between religions, but the role generally involves bringing salvation and hope to people.