Rambam Messiah Criteria

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Rambam’s Messiah criteria (Maimonides)

Sources note: This page aims to represent both Jewish and Christian views fairly. Where a claim describes a Jewish position, it should be supported by Jewish sources (Tanakh, rabbinic texts, or mainstream Jewish explanations). Where a claim describes a Christian position, it should be supported by Christian sources (New Testament, early church, or scholarly references).

Why this matters

In modern Jewish-Christian debate, a common baseline for “who qualifies as Messiah?” is Rambam (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars (Hilchot Melachim uMilchamot), especially chapters 11–12.

What Rambam says (summary)

Rambam describes the Messiah as a Davidic king who:

• restores Davidic rule and Torah observance
• fights the wars of the Lord (in Rambam’s framing)
• rebuilds the Temple
• gathers the exiles of Israel
• ushers in an era characterized by knowledge of God and peace (expanded in ch. 12)

The “presumption” test

Rambam distinguishes between:

• someone who may be “presumed Messiah,” and
• the confirmed Messiah, if he succeeds in rebuilding the Temple and gathering exiles.

See also

• Did_Jesus_Meet_Rambam_Criteria
• Messiah_Expectations_Peace_Temple_Gathering