What do the words Jesus Christ mean? Some Indian languages use Yesu/Yeshu for Jesus and Masiha for Christ

Last updated on 31st Jan. 2021

As per https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_(name) , Jesus name is derived from Hebrew name Yeshua/Y'shua, meaning "to deliver; to rescue". So Jesus word is understood to be saviour.

In some Indian languages like Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam (perhaps most, if not all, Indian languages), the word 'Yesu' or 'Yeshu' is used for Jesus which is closer to the Hebrew word for Jesus. Note that there has been lot of connect between India and Arabia since ancient times and so there is lot of language and culture connect between Jerusalem (Judea) of days of Jesus Christ, and India. So some of the Indian language Christian worship songs and prayers use words that are closer to Hebrew and possibly even Aramaic (language that Jesus and his disciples are said to have used) words associated with early Christianity.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_(title)#Etymology tells us that Christ is the Greek translation for Hebrew Masiah/Messiah, meaning "anointed one", which in turn, in this context, means one who has been conferred divine/holy office (as per https://www.lexico.com/definition/anoint ).

In Indian languages, especially Hindi, the word that is used for Messiah or Christ is Masiha which is closer to the Hebrew word. So Hindi Christian devotional songs and sermons use the term 'Yeshu/Yesu Masiha' to refer to Jesus Christ. I have heard Telugu Christian songs using 'Yeshu/Yesu' but I don't clearly recall hearing Telugu Christian songs using 'masiha' or an alternate pronunciation like 'masiya'.

===================

Associated Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/ravi.s.iyer.7/posts/3028441897372367 has some comment exchanges.