Messiah in Genesis

Q: Is there a reference to the Messiah in the Book of Genesis?

A: He is not identified as “Messiah” in Genesis, since that term would not become popular until the anointing of prophets and kings became more established in later history. This is because Messiah means “Anointed One.”

However, the “Headcrusher” of Genesis 3 and the “Seed” (Offspring) of Abraham in whom all nations would be blessed (see also Galatians 3:16) are both Messianic references, as is the blessing of Judah by Jacob (the lion appears in Revelation as the Lamb who was slain and who is alive again). Of this last example, C. S. Lewis picked up on the idea at the conclusion of the final book in the Narnia series, The Last Battle.

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Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book What Do Lutherans Believe.