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Messiah ben Joseph
Messiah ben Joseph, the slain Galilean messiah of the rabbis, is the most enigmatic figure in Rabbinic Judaism and a key topic in Jewish-Christian debate. A deeper understanding of him has profound implications for all who love the Bible.
This book is the largest ever written about him, and the first ever in English. It proposes that he is not a rabbinic invention at all, but that his origins lie in the oldest strata of the Bible. We follow him from his origins in the book of Genesis, through the Pentateuch, the Prophets, the Psalms, the Pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Targums, the New Testament and Church Fathers, the Talmud, the homiletic, exegetic, and apocalyptic midrashim, the Zohar, and the medieval rabbis, down to modern times.
This immensely valuable monograph by David Mitchell offers a comprehensive account of Messiah ben Joseph from biblical times right through to the early modern period. Mitchell presents his case with great clarity and conviction. For that reason alone the volume is highly valuable, but also for its compendium and commentary contributions that will make it easier for Mitchell’s readers to engage with him as an undoubted authority on this fascinating topic.
Professor Robert Gordon, Emeritus Regius Professor of Hebrew, University of Cambridge
David Mitchell demonstrates that the Messiah ben Joseph—who dies before the appearance of the conquering, nationalistic Messiah ben David—is a product not of the first centuries C.E. but of earliest Judaic messianic thinking. Mitchell convincingly details Messiah ben Joseph’s emergence as early as the Pentateuch, and for the first time presents every relevant text, from the Psalms and Prophets, through the Babylonian Talmud, and including medieval Jewish writings. Critically acute and authoritative, this study is essential to any future evaluation of the foundations of Jewish and Christian messianic thinking.
Alan Avery-Peck, Kraft-Hiatt Professor of Judaic Studies
The College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
You're going to learn about some trajectories here that I guarantee you've never heard before. I think this is a fair When you hit something like this, it's one of those wake-up calls. Why is this not taught? This is an area of scholarship that is deeply-neglected. It will help you address the charge that the New Testament is fundamentally disconnected from the Old. When I came across this book I had one of these moments, like "How did we miss this?" And "Why did we miss this?" Was it an accident or was it intentional? I recommend you buy this book.
Dr Michael S. Heiser. Author, The Unseen Realm .
Mitchell's book is a landmark work in many ways, and he is to be commended for producing the most comprehensive collection and discussion of texts on Messiah ben Joseph in any language to date. His thesis that the concept of Messiah ben Joseph was derived directly from the biblical texts (as opposed to, e.g, a response to the failed revolt of Bar Kochba) demands attention. At the same time, Mitchell challenges us to look afresh at Deut. 33:17, among others that point to the importance of Joseph, while reexamining rabbinic interpretation of these texts. So, overall, a very important volume, now to be read side by side with Martha Himmelfarb's just published Jewish Messiahs in a Christian Empire, which offers a different understanding of some of the key texts.
Dr Michael L. Brown
Talk Show Host
Some scholars believe the tradition of the suffering Messiah was a Jewish reaction to Bar Kochba's failed uprising in AD 132-135. But Mitchell shows that the thought was already considerably older. The Dead Sea Scrolls and the pseudepigrapha are discussed in detail. The author sees pointers even in the first books of the Bible. Mitchell defends his case well.
Prof. Dr M.-J. Paul
Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven.
This book is the largest ever written about him, and the first ever in English. It proposes that he is not a rabbinic invention at all, but that his origins lie in the oldest strata of the Bible. We follow him from his origins in the book of Genesis, through the Pentateuch, the Prophets, the Psalms, the Pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Targums, the New Testament and Church Fathers, the Talmud, the homiletic, exegetic, and apocalyptic midrashim, the Zohar, and the medieval rabbis, down to modern times.
This immensely valuable monograph by David Mitchell offers a comprehensive account of Messiah ben Joseph from biblical times right through to the early modern period. Mitchell presents his case with great clarity and conviction. For that reason alone the volume is highly valuable, but also for its compendium and commentary contributions that will make it easier for Mitchell’s readers to engage with him as an undoubted authority on this fascinating topic.
Professor Robert Gordon, Emeritus Regius Professor of Hebrew, University of Cambridge
David Mitchell demonstrates that the Messiah ben Joseph—who dies before the appearance of the conquering, nationalistic Messiah ben David—is a product not of the first centuries C.E. but of earliest Judaic messianic thinking. Mitchell convincingly details Messiah ben Joseph’s emergence as early as the Pentateuch, and for the first time presents every relevant text, from the Psalms and Prophets, through the Babylonian Talmud, and including medieval Jewish writings. Critically acute and authoritative, this study is essential to any future evaluation of the foundations of Jewish and Christian messianic thinking.
Alan Avery-Peck, Kraft-Hiatt Professor of Judaic Studies
The College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
You're going to learn about some trajectories here that I guarantee you've never heard before. I think this is a fair When you hit something like this, it's one of those wake-up calls. Why is this not taught? This is an area of scholarship that is deeply-neglected. It will help you address the charge that the New Testament is fundamentally disconnected from the Old. When I came across this book I had one of these moments, like "How did we miss this?" And "Why did we miss this?" Was it an accident or was it intentional? I recommend you buy this book.
Dr Michael S. Heiser. Author, The Unseen Realm .
Mitchell's book is a landmark work in many ways, and he is to be commended for producing the most comprehensive collection and discussion of texts on Messiah ben Joseph in any language to date. His thesis that the concept of Messiah ben Joseph was derived directly from the biblical texts (as opposed to, e.g, a response to the failed revolt of Bar Kochba) demands attention. At the same time, Mitchell challenges us to look afresh at Deut. 33:17, among others that point to the importance of Joseph, while reexamining rabbinic interpretation of these texts. So, overall, a very important volume, now to be read side by side with Martha Himmelfarb's just published Jewish Messiahs in a Christian Empire, which offers a different understanding of some of the key texts.
Dr Michael L. Brown
Talk Show Host
Some scholars believe the tradition of the suffering Messiah was a Jewish reaction to Bar Kochba's failed uprising in AD 132-135. But Mitchell shows that the thought was already considerably older. The Dead Sea Scrolls and the pseudepigrapha are discussed in detail. The author sees pointers even in the first books of the Bible. Mitchell defends his case well.
Prof. Dr M.-J. Paul
Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven.
334 pages, Paperback
Published May 30, 2016
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May 19, 2017
Read carefully, for not all is as it seems. A son of Joseph will be the Messiah. He will begin by gathering a following in Galilee before journeying to Jerusalem, where he will be killed. A foreigner will then attack Jerusalem, take captives, and leave many to wander in the wilderness. But the Messiah ben David will descend in the clouds to Jerusalem and raise the Messiah ben Joseph, and others, from the dead. There will be a time of peace before Gog will arise against Jerusalem. The LORD will then destroy Gog and Death itself, and the nations will go up to Jerusalem to worship Yahweh.
At first, this appears to be a summary of a Gospel, but it quickly goes sideways. This is, in fact, a Jewish apocalyptic midrashim from Rabbi Hai ben Sherira (AD 939-1038) entitled Responsum on the Redemption. Many things are worthy of note in his text, but most prominent are the two Messiahs, one who will reign, and another who will die and rise from the dead. Though unheard of by many, the tradition of a dying and rising Messiah ben Joseph (son of Joseph) has an abundant and long-reaching history in Jewish writings. David C. Mitchell first discovered the fascinating Messiah ben Joseph 25 years ago when researching the reception history of the Psalter (see his significant work The Message of the Psalter). Mitchell spent the following decades collecting the texts and constructing his thoughts. The result is Messiah ben Joseph, the first comprehensive book devoted to him.
MESSIAH BEN JOSEPH
It is astounding to find in Judaism a dying and rising Messiah who defeats Satan, sin, and death. What’s more, this figure is not simply anachronistically deduced from a few vague statements in damaged texts arising after Christianity. Rather, he is plainly seen in “every genre and period” (p1), even preceding Christianity. And yet, I can safely assume the majority of my readers had never heard of him. The fact is that his existence was little known, due to the privacy of rabbis, the inaccessibility of untranslated ancient documents, and the strong division over his origins. Some believed that he was a Jewish response to Christian Messianic belief after AD70, others that he was inspired by the life of Josephus Flavius or Bar Kokhba, and others that he was simply created to anticipate Messiah ben David. Ancient rabbis, however, believed he was found in the Law and Prophets. This is also Mitchell’s view.
OVERVIEW
To trace the development of the Messiah ben Joseph and prove the thesis that he originates in the OT itself, Mitchell takes an exhaustive approach by examining the many relevant texts in chronological order. Chapter 2 mines the Pentateuch for hints of this individual. Genesis 3:15, the coming Shepherd-Rock in Jacob’s Blessing (Gen 49:24), and the firstborn Shor and Rem imagery in Moses Blessing (Deut 32:13-17) all indicate a coming ruler who will be sacrificed before being raised to glory. Chapter 3 examines the prophets, finding indications that the Suffering Servant of Isa 52:13-53:12 is in fact Josephite, not Davidic (Isa 53:2=Gen 49:22; Isa 53:5=Gen 49:23-24). Other prophets refer to a Josephite king (Mic 4:8; Hab 3; Zech 12:10). Chapter 4 reveals that there is a Josephite core in the Psalms (Ps 60-108) that has many Messiah ben Joseph links (particularly Ps 80; 88-89; 92; 105-106).
Moving on from the OT, Chapter 5 examines the Pseudopigrapha, finding Messiah ben Joseph in 1 Enoch and elsewhere. Chapter 6 is devoted to the Dead Sea Scrolls, including a new reading of 4Q372. Unique features of the Targums (Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Bible) are considered in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 looks at the New Testament and Church Fathers. From here, the Babylonian Talmud (Chapter 9), Exegetical and Homiletical Midrashim (Chapter 10), Apocalyptic Midrashim (Chapter 11), then the Rishonim, Zohar and Aharonim (Chapter 12), and their numerous references to the Messiah ben Joseph, are considered.
Chapter 13 concludes the book with a synopsis. Mitchell concludes that Messiah ben Joseph springs from the Pentateuch and that “all that follows is but an embellishment on this foundation” (p233).
EXHAUSTIVE
As one can safely deduce, this work is exhaustive. Mitchell brings dozens of texts to bear, most of which are abundantly clear in discussing Messiah ben Joseph. What’s more, Mitchell provides new translations of numerous fascinating Apocalyptic Midrashim. Some texts require some detective work (1 Enoch, for example), which resulted in some of the most interesting pages for me. As one fixated on the Psalms, and inspired by Mitchell’s work on them, his chapter on the Psalms was also particularly illuminating and provocative. In some sections, I found the journey taxing due to its exhaustive nature; however, to convince the scholarly world, such an approach is appropriate.
APOLOGETIC?
Though Mitchell is a Christian and this topic largely supports Christian messianic belief, this is not an apologetic book. Mitchell takes a largely objective tone throughout to ensure that it is equally accessible to a Jew, Christian or anyone else interested. This means his work will hopefully get into the hands of more people and result in more awareness of Messiah ben Joseph. A polemical book would not have as much broad scholarly or popular impact.
However, as a believer myself, I walked away with several questions that I wished Mitchell had addressed. For example, if Messiah ben Joseph is a unique figure in the Old Testament, how do Christians reconcile this with our messianic beliefs? Is he a potential figure; a contingent prophecy? Or are we to understand that in Christ both pictures are fulfilled, with Messiah ben Joseph’s death and resurrection and Messiah ben David’s heavenly descent and victorious rule to be two sides of the same coin, fulfilled roughly in Jesus’ first and second comings respectively? And if so, in what sense can Jesus be a descendant of the patriarchal Joseph? Is it relevant that Christ is named Joshua and His earthly father was named Joseph? Admittedly, these questions are specific to Christians and may have taken Mitchell off track; but for his Christian readers, questions like these will no doubt spring forth.
CONCLUSION
In Messiah ben Joseph, Mitchell has released a bombshell, the effects of which I hope will reach far. Mitchell makes it abundantly clear that this otherwise unknown figure is conspicuous and prominent throughout Jewish writings throughout history. How have we overlooked this for so long? Mitchell also convincingly shows that details such as an atoning death and resurrection are included in the tradition. What’s more, it is compelling argued that Messiah ben Joseph (even his death and subsequent glorification) is to be found in the Pentateuch. Though questions remain for me, Jesus ben Joseph clearly fulfilled these expectations. Though unintended to be an apologetic work, Messiah ben Joseph is a reminder that the facts of history are on the side of Jesus. Interested believers will be fascinated and encouraged by Mitchell’s presentation, and unbelievers will no doubt be surprised by the similarities between the Messiah ben Joseph and Christ the son of Joseph. The best books are those that not only provide answers but, also provoke questions, and Mitchell has certainly done this in Messiah ben Joseph!
Many thanks to David Mitchell for providing a review copy of his book. I was not required to write a positive review.
At first, this appears to be a summary of a Gospel, but it quickly goes sideways. This is, in fact, a Jewish apocalyptic midrashim from Rabbi Hai ben Sherira (AD 939-1038) entitled Responsum on the Redemption. Many things are worthy of note in his text, but most prominent are the two Messiahs, one who will reign, and another who will die and rise from the dead. Though unheard of by many, the tradition of a dying and rising Messiah ben Joseph (son of Joseph) has an abundant and long-reaching history in Jewish writings. David C. Mitchell first discovered the fascinating Messiah ben Joseph 25 years ago when researching the reception history of the Psalter (see his significant work The Message of the Psalter). Mitchell spent the following decades collecting the texts and constructing his thoughts. The result is Messiah ben Joseph, the first comprehensive book devoted to him.
MESSIAH BEN JOSEPH
It is astounding to find in Judaism a dying and rising Messiah who defeats Satan, sin, and death. What’s more, this figure is not simply anachronistically deduced from a few vague statements in damaged texts arising after Christianity. Rather, he is plainly seen in “every genre and period” (p1), even preceding Christianity. And yet, I can safely assume the majority of my readers had never heard of him. The fact is that his existence was little known, due to the privacy of rabbis, the inaccessibility of untranslated ancient documents, and the strong division over his origins. Some believed that he was a Jewish response to Christian Messianic belief after AD70, others that he was inspired by the life of Josephus Flavius or Bar Kokhba, and others that he was simply created to anticipate Messiah ben David. Ancient rabbis, however, believed he was found in the Law and Prophets. This is also Mitchell’s view.
OVERVIEW
To trace the development of the Messiah ben Joseph and prove the thesis that he originates in the OT itself, Mitchell takes an exhaustive approach by examining the many relevant texts in chronological order. Chapter 2 mines the Pentateuch for hints of this individual. Genesis 3:15, the coming Shepherd-Rock in Jacob’s Blessing (Gen 49:24), and the firstborn Shor and Rem imagery in Moses Blessing (Deut 32:13-17) all indicate a coming ruler who will be sacrificed before being raised to glory. Chapter 3 examines the prophets, finding indications that the Suffering Servant of Isa 52:13-53:12 is in fact Josephite, not Davidic (Isa 53:2=Gen 49:22; Isa 53:5=Gen 49:23-24). Other prophets refer to a Josephite king (Mic 4:8; Hab 3; Zech 12:10). Chapter 4 reveals that there is a Josephite core in the Psalms (Ps 60-108) that has many Messiah ben Joseph links (particularly Ps 80; 88-89; 92; 105-106).
Moving on from the OT, Chapter 5 examines the Pseudopigrapha, finding Messiah ben Joseph in 1 Enoch and elsewhere. Chapter 6 is devoted to the Dead Sea Scrolls, including a new reading of 4Q372. Unique features of the Targums (Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Bible) are considered in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 looks at the New Testament and Church Fathers. From here, the Babylonian Talmud (Chapter 9), Exegetical and Homiletical Midrashim (Chapter 10), Apocalyptic Midrashim (Chapter 11), then the Rishonim, Zohar and Aharonim (Chapter 12), and their numerous references to the Messiah ben Joseph, are considered.
Chapter 13 concludes the book with a synopsis. Mitchell concludes that Messiah ben Joseph springs from the Pentateuch and that “all that follows is but an embellishment on this foundation” (p233).
EXHAUSTIVE
As one can safely deduce, this work is exhaustive. Mitchell brings dozens of texts to bear, most of which are abundantly clear in discussing Messiah ben Joseph. What’s more, Mitchell provides new translations of numerous fascinating Apocalyptic Midrashim. Some texts require some detective work (1 Enoch, for example), which resulted in some of the most interesting pages for me. As one fixated on the Psalms, and inspired by Mitchell’s work on them, his chapter on the Psalms was also particularly illuminating and provocative. In some sections, I found the journey taxing due to its exhaustive nature; however, to convince the scholarly world, such an approach is appropriate.
APOLOGETIC?
Though Mitchell is a Christian and this topic largely supports Christian messianic belief, this is not an apologetic book. Mitchell takes a largely objective tone throughout to ensure that it is equally accessible to a Jew, Christian or anyone else interested. This means his work will hopefully get into the hands of more people and result in more awareness of Messiah ben Joseph. A polemical book would not have as much broad scholarly or popular impact.
However, as a believer myself, I walked away with several questions that I wished Mitchell had addressed. For example, if Messiah ben Joseph is a unique figure in the Old Testament, how do Christians reconcile this with our messianic beliefs? Is he a potential figure; a contingent prophecy? Or are we to understand that in Christ both pictures are fulfilled, with Messiah ben Joseph’s death and resurrection and Messiah ben David’s heavenly descent and victorious rule to be two sides of the same coin, fulfilled roughly in Jesus’ first and second comings respectively? And if so, in what sense can Jesus be a descendant of the patriarchal Joseph? Is it relevant that Christ is named Joshua and His earthly father was named Joseph? Admittedly, these questions are specific to Christians and may have taken Mitchell off track; but for his Christian readers, questions like these will no doubt spring forth.
CONCLUSION
In Messiah ben Joseph, Mitchell has released a bombshell, the effects of which I hope will reach far. Mitchell makes it abundantly clear that this otherwise unknown figure is conspicuous and prominent throughout Jewish writings throughout history. How have we overlooked this for so long? Mitchell also convincingly shows that details such as an atoning death and resurrection are included in the tradition. What’s more, it is compelling argued that Messiah ben Joseph (even his death and subsequent glorification) is to be found in the Pentateuch. Though questions remain for me, Jesus ben Joseph clearly fulfilled these expectations. Though unintended to be an apologetic work, Messiah ben Joseph is a reminder that the facts of history are on the side of Jesus. Interested believers will be fascinated and encouraged by Mitchell’s presentation, and unbelievers will no doubt be surprised by the similarities between the Messiah ben Joseph and Christ the son of Joseph. The best books are those that not only provide answers but, also provoke questions, and Mitchell has certainly done this in Messiah ben Joseph!
Many thanks to David Mitchell for providing a review copy of his book. I was not required to write a positive review.
December 1, 2016
If ever a book could help Jews understand Christians and Christians understand Jews, then this is it. Professor Himmelfarb of Princeton has said, "If Mitchell were correct, the implications for both ancient Jewish and early Christian messianism would be profound." Well, if you read this, you may end up agreeing with me that Mitchell is indeed correct.
September 18, 2023
I came for the ice age megafauna moo beasts and stayed for the legacy of Joseph. (Coat of many colors Joseph) That’s right.
There are ice age cattle featured in this book.
There’s a lot of other fascinating tidbits included… but Giant Moo Beasts from the Ice Age!!!! Yes please!!!!
Lots of info you won’t find elsewhere too.
It has always puzzled me that there’s this story of a guy who effectively took over an entire country with dream interpretations and went from prisoner slave to second in command of Egypt. But then, after spending multiple chapters (a good chunk of the book of Genesis) the guy and his lineage just disappears.
The Bible is an ancient book of set up and pay off, which is a writer’s term for introducing something in a book which seems unimportant but will be a key plot piece later. The Bible is full of this. Ancient literature is full of careful cultural references and influences that the ancient readers were able to see and draw connections to.
I had suspected Joseph’s story was the set up for something… and without spoilers, this book brings the payoff and makes it clear.
Caveat: I have not read many of the ancient texts author David C Mitchell references, but they are clearly indexed for reference so serious students can find and make certain the context is appropriate and not misinterpreted or misleading.
I have a long standing interest in archaeology, mythology, and paleontology. The book is easy enough to understand and the content is explained well. I could have discussed this book in those more professional or theological terms - but other more qualified persons have done that. So giant moo beasts from the ice age it was! And that is what also originally got me to read this book.
A final note… my last name is also Mitchell, but as far as I’m aware, we are not related.
There are ice age cattle featured in this book.
There’s a lot of other fascinating tidbits included… but Giant Moo Beasts from the Ice Age!!!! Yes please!!!!
Lots of info you won’t find elsewhere too.
It has always puzzled me that there’s this story of a guy who effectively took over an entire country with dream interpretations and went from prisoner slave to second in command of Egypt. But then, after spending multiple chapters (a good chunk of the book of Genesis) the guy and his lineage just disappears.
The Bible is an ancient book of set up and pay off, which is a writer’s term for introducing something in a book which seems unimportant but will be a key plot piece later. The Bible is full of this. Ancient literature is full of careful cultural references and influences that the ancient readers were able to see and draw connections to.
I had suspected Joseph’s story was the set up for something… and without spoilers, this book brings the payoff and makes it clear.
Caveat: I have not read many of the ancient texts author David C Mitchell references, but they are clearly indexed for reference so serious students can find and make certain the context is appropriate and not misinterpreted or misleading.
I have a long standing interest in archaeology, mythology, and paleontology. The book is easy enough to understand and the content is explained well. I could have discussed this book in those more professional or theological terms - but other more qualified persons have done that. So giant moo beasts from the ice age it was! And that is what also originally got me to read this book.
A final note… my last name is also Mitchell, but as far as I’m aware, we are not related.
October 4, 2025
David Mitchell builds a case for the prophecy of the suffering Messiah in contrast to the more familiar prophetic thread leading to the conquering Messiah, drawing on ALL available sources, making this book the most elaborate, comprehensive and exhaustive work on the Messiah Ben Joseph.
A deeply scholarly work and brilliant academic contribution on the matter, whilst also being digestible for the interested layperson.
God bless you, David Mitchell!!!
A deeply scholarly work and brilliant academic contribution on the matter, whilst also being digestible for the interested layperson.
God bless you, David Mitchell!!!
October 20, 2017
A suffering, dying and raised Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures, in the midrashim and other rabbinic texts. He is the forerunner of Messiah ben David, a royal personality . Ben Joseph, the humble suffering servant, offers forgiveness and other spiritual blessings.
June 30, 2021
Amazing book. It really got me thinking about the Bible's prophecies about the Messiah.
May 12, 2025
More scholarly/textbook than I was expecting, but still an interesting read.
October 21, 2020
Type of types !!!
Great work. Be sure to read and reread. Make special effort to see two Messiahs coming together in Zechariah. This is a very very good resource.
Great work. Be sure to read and reread. Make special effort to see two Messiahs coming together in Zechariah. This is a very very good resource.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews