Hosanna
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Hosanna in the Bible?
Hosanna is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew phrase meaning 'save, we pray,' functioning as an acclamation of praise that appears six times in the Gospels, particularly during the entry into Jerusalem and the temple cleansing.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the literal meaning of hosanna as a plea for salvation illuminates the crowd's complex reception of Jesus, highlighting both their immediate worship and their deeper political or spiritual expectation for divine deliverance.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Hosanna. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Hosanna in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Hosanna clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Hosanna." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/hosanna/