The Real Historical Messiah in the *Odes of Solomon

### The Real Historical Messiah in the *Odes of Solomon*

The *Odes of Solomon*, an early collection of Christian hymns composed between the late first and early second century, present one of the earliest testimonies about the historical Messiah outside of the canonical New Testament. They emphasize his humanity, his anointing with the Spirit, his role as Redeemer, and his exaltation by the Father. In these poetic hymns, the Messiah is portrayed as a man among men who was chosen, exalted, and given divine power, yet without reference to later doctrines of the Trinity. What emerges is a picture of the Messiah who is both human and divinely anointed, the Savior and head of the faithful, who brings redemption to the living and even to the dead.

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#### The Messiah Foreordained in God’s Thought

The *Odes* begin with the proclamation that the Messiah was central to God’s eternal plan. Ode 7 declares:

> “Open your ears and I will speak to you. Give me your souls that I may also give you my soul,

> The word of the Lord and His good pleasures, the holy thought which He has devised concerning His Messiah.

> For in the will of the Lord is your salvation, and His thought is everlasting life; and your end is immortality.

> Be enriched in God the Father, and receive the thought of the Most High.” (Ode 7:1–4)

Here the Messiah is presented as the object of God’s “holy thought,” devised before time for the salvation of humanity. The plan of redemption was not accidental or late in history but part of God’s eternal will. This reveals that the Messiah’s coming was both foreordained and grounded in the Father’s purpose to grant immortality.

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#### The Messiah as Head of the Community

The Messiah is depicted as the leader and head of his people. In Ode 17 we read:

> “And they were gathered to me and were saved; because they were to me as my own members and I was their head.

> Glory to thee our head the Lord Messiah. Hallelujah.” (Ode 17:14)

This passage illustrates the deep union between the Messiah and his followers. They are described as members of his body, with him as the head—a concept also reflected in Paul’s letters (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12; Colossians 1:18). This early hymn emphasizes the Messiah’s leadership and centrality in salvation.

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#### The Spirit’s Anointing on the Messiah

The *Odes* highlight the role of the Spirit in anointing and empowering the Messiah. Ode 28 testifies:

> “The Dove fluttered over the Messiah, because He was her head; and she sang over Him and her voice was heard.” (Ode 28:1)

The dove, symbolic of the Spirit, rests upon the Messiah, echoing the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16). The Messiah is thus portrayed as the anointed one, chosen by God and endowed with divine authority through the Spirit.

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#### The Messiah as Redeemer from Death

A powerful statement of the Messiah’s role in defeating death appears in Ode 22:

> “The Lord is my hope: in Him I shall not be confounded.

> … And brought me up out of the depths of Sheol: and from the mouth of death He drew me.

> … For I believed in the Lord’s Messiah: and it appeared to me that He is the Lord;

> And He showed him His sign: and He led me by His light, and gave me the rod of His power

> That I might subdue the imaginations of the peoples; and the power of the men of might to bring them low.” (Ode 22:1–9)

This passage portrays the Messiah as the one who delivers from Sheol and defeats the forces of death. He is empowered with the “rod of His power” to overcome his enemies by the word of the Lord. This is a historical Messiah who, though born among men, conquers death through divine anointing.

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#### The Messiah’s Footsteps and the Way of Faith

Ode 39 offers a vision of the Messiah’s enduring path:

> “And the waves were lifted up on this side and on that, but the footsteps of our Lord Messiah stand firm and are not obliterated and are not defaced.

> And a way has been appointed for those who cross after Him and for those who adhere to the course of faith in Him and worship His name. Hallelujah.” (Ode 39:10–11)

Here the Messiah is pictured as the one who blazes a trail through the turbulent waters. His path is secure and permanent, offering believers a way to follow. The historical Messiah is not only Redeemer but also Guide.

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#### The Messiah as Son of the Most High

Another ode emphasizes his unique sonship:

> “All the Lord’s children will praise Him, and will collect the truth of His faith.

> … For the Father of truth remembered me: He who possessed me from the beginning:

> For His bounty begat me, and the thought of His heart:

> And His Word is with us in all our way;

> … The man who was humbled, and exalted by His own righteousness,

> The Son of the Most High appeared in the perfection of His Father;

> And light dawned from the Word that was beforetime in Him;

> The Messiah is truly one; and He was known before the foundation of the world.” (Ode 41:1–16)

This passage affirms that the Messiah was foreknown, begotten by God’s bounty, and manifested as Son of the Most High. Yet it emphasizes his humility and exaltation—consistent with the historical figure who lived, suffered, and was glorified.

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#### The Messiah as Son of Man and Son of God

Perhaps the most striking testimony to the humanity and exaltation of the Messiah is found in Ode 36:

> “I rested in the Spirit of the Lord: and the Spirit raised me on high:

> … The Spirit brought me forth before the face of the Lord: and, although a son of man, I was named the Illuminate, the Son of God:

> … And He anointed me from His own perfection:

> And I became one of His Neighbours.” (Ode 36:1–6)

The Messiah is explicitly described as “a son of man,” yet also as “the Son of God” by virtue of the Spirit’s anointing. This passage confirms the historical humanity of the Messiah while affirming his divine adoption and exaltation.

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#### The Messiah Redeems the Dead

Finally, the *Odes* portray the Messiah as liberator of the dead. Ode 42 declares:

> “And those who had died ran towards me: and they cried and said, Son of God, have pity on us…

> For we see that our death has not touched thee.

> Let us also be redeemed with thee: for thou art our Redeemer.

> And I heard their voice; and my name I sealed upon their heads:

> For they are free men and they are mine. Hallelujah.” (Ode 42:21–26)

The Messiah not only redeems the living but also brings liberation to those held in death’s bonds, affirming his universal role as Redeemer.

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### Conclusion

The *Odes of Solomon* present a profoundly human yet Spirit-anointed Messiah. He is the one foreordained in God’s plan, exalted as head of the faithful, anointed by the Spirit, deliverer from Sheol, and Redeemer of both the living and the dead. He is described as “Son of Man” and also “Son of God,” the one humbled yet exalted by God’s righteousness. The historical Messiah in these hymns is not a figure of abstract dogma, nor part of a later Trinitarian construct, but the man anointed with divine power, the “one Messiah” who leads his people to immortality.

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