Video series: Messiah Son of Joseph, with Dr Seth Postell & Dr Golan Broshi

Messiah ben Joseph in the Naked Bible Podcast with Michael Heiser (July 2021)

Messiah ben Joseph in the New Books Network Podcast with Michael Morales (October 2017)

My blogs on Messiah ben Joseph

MESSIAH BEN JOSEPH REVIEWS

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. It is the first to do so in English, and it exceeds in range and ambition the seminal little study of Dalman published in German in 1888 as Der leidende und der sterbende Messias. Not the least of the merits of this new work is the presentation in English translation of extensive quotes from sources that mention Messiah ben Joseph (by whatever name), so giving the reader not only the relevant references but also the wider contexts in which they appear. Mitchell presents his case with great clarity and conviction. An immensely valuable monograph by an undoubted authority on this fascinating topic.

From the Foreword by Robert P. 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.
Editor, Review of Rabbinic Judaism

In addition to this well-known view [Messiah ben David], there is also a different tradition in Judaism, namely of a suffering and dying Messiah from the tribe of Ephraim, from the house of Joseph. The suffering Messiah and the conquering Messiah co-exist and come from different tribes of Israel. Some scholars believe that the tradition of the suffering Messiah was a Jewish reaction to Bar Kochba’s failed uprising in AD 132-135. Mitchell, however, 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 in the discussion of Isaiah 53 and the final chapter of the book of Zechariah. Many Jews are unaware of this subject, and from the Jewish side it is often neglected. 

Professor Dr M.-J. Paul
Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven
Reformatorisch Dagblad, 15 June 2017

You’re going to learn about some trajectories here that I guarantee you’ve never heard before. I think this is a fair statement: When you hit something like this, it’s one of those wake-up calls, like how in the world did we miss this? 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
Author, Talk Show Host

David C. Mitchell’s fascinating book argues that Messiah ben Joseph is not a rabbinic invention at all and convincingly details Messiah ben Joseph’s emergence as early as the Pentateuch. Given all the material that Mitchell has put together, it is astonishing that no one knows about this figure. This is a significant resource for anyone wanting to pursue the topic of Messiah ben Joseph or messianism in general.

Michael Morales
Professor of Biblical Studies, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, SC

It was David Mitchell’s book on Messiah ben Joseph that opened my eyes to the importance of the blessings on Joseph in Genesis 49:22-26 and Deuteronomy 33:13-17. Most striking in Deuteronomy 33:17 are the two animal metaphors used to describe Joseph. He is first compared to a “firstborn ox” and then to a “wild ox.” These seemingly mutually exclusive metaphors allude to Joseph’s suffering and also to his royal rule. Since every “firstborn ox” must be sacrificed upon the altar according to the Torah (Num 18:17; Deut 15:19), the first metaphor refers to Joseph’s sacrificial suffering for the sake of his brothers (Gen 50:20). The “wild ox,” on the other hand, is an unconquerable beast with horns like a king. This second metaphor likens Joseph to an unconquerable ruler and king over God’s creation (Gen 37:8; 45:8-9). No wonder Joseph is considered a Messianic figure in ancient and Rabbinic Judaism.

Seth Postell
Professor of Old Testament and Academic Dean, Israel College of the Bible, Netanya, Israel

A must-read!
A superb book. As far as I’m aware, Mitchell’s ‘Messiah ben Joseph’ is now the most complete collection and discussion of texts on Messiah ben Joseph (in any language). The way in which Mitchell shows how the concept of Messiah ben Joseph could plausibly have developed from the Biblical data is provocative and (to my mind) persuasive. The book is also helpful insofar as it sheds light on the prominent role played by Ephraim (rather than Judah) in Israel’s pre-Davidic history and hence the extent to which the choice of David was a surprise. And it’s hard to imagine how anyone could read the opening paragraph and not at least be intrigued:

‘There is, in rabbinic literature, a figure called Messiah ben Joseph. This Messiah comes from Galilee to die, pierced by ruthless foes, at the gate of Jerusalem. Upon his death, Israel are scattered amidst the nations. But his death, as we shall see, confounds Satan, atones for sin, and abolishes death itself. And then he is raised to life again.’

You won’t be disappointed!

James Bejon, Tyndale House, Cambridge

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 compellingly 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 Jesus 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!

Lindsay Kennedy, Publicity Strategist (Lexham Press)

I would like to congratulate you on the profound teaching contained in your text, Messiah Ben Joseph. It is a detailed, important and spiritual book.

Professor Modesto Renda, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca

Very little has been written on the Messiah ben Joseph since G.H. Dalman’s Der leidende und der sterbende Messias in 1888. Mitchell has now devoted a monograph to the subject. The concept of the dying and salvific Messiah is an important belief in the rabbinic period. The collection of material is very thorough.

Lester L. Grabbe
Emeritus Professor of Hebrew Bible and Early Judaism, University of Hull
Society for Old Testament Study Book List 2019

MESSIAH BEN JOSEPH AMAZON REVIEWS

An outstanding job
A thorough study of this important subject has been long overdue. Gone are the days that the idea of “Messiah ben Joseph” can simply be dismissed as a shadowy legend, or lazily “attributed” to one threatening historic event or another, thus prompting a need to create yet another Messiah figure to help the Jewish people take hope in some future deliverance. No, the vast multitude of references coming from so many directions–from prophets of the Old Testament, pseudepigraphal writings, Dead Sea Scrolls, in addition to a multitude of ancient rabbinic writings found in many sources–all of this calls for sincere study and consideration in learning more of its origins and impact upon Judaism.

Mitchell has done an outstanding job with a very complex subject, laying out the evidence, so to speak, in a very coherent way. I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to deepen his or her understanding of a fascinating, and yet mysterious, aspect of Jewish messianism. [Kent Hunter, Utah]

Such a worthy book
After having read this book, sometimes I have to take a step back and pinch myself, so I can realize all over again what’s really being proven in David Mitchell’s book. A pre-Christian suffering, dying, rising Messiah…. Let that sink in. Don’t miss the forest for the trees with this book. So much wonderful, well presented, fascinating detail – but seriously. Think about what David Mitchell has shown us here. This book and it’s follow up, Jesus the Incarnation of the Word are gold. Messiah Ben Joseph seems like such a weird place to start when studying ancient Israelite messianism… but it’s where I started. And it worked. Do yourself a favor – buy and read. You’ll gain a unique and invaluable perspective that will aid and flavor any further study of Israel’s promised king. I remember hearing the concept of messiah Ben joseph described to a Christian once. Their response: “that sounds very familiar”. Thanks, David – this book will serve generations. [Jason]

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