The Life of Jesus in Harmony | Index

Hosanna

HOSANNA (Gk. hosannah, from Heb. hoshi`ana', "save now").

The cry of the multitude as they joined in our Lord's triumphal procession into Jerusalem (Mt 21:9,15; Mk 11:9-10; Jn 12:13). The psalm from which it was taken (Ps. 118) was one with which they were familiar from being accustomed to recite verses 25 and 26 at the feast of Tabernacles.

During the feast the Hallel, consisting of (Ps 113-18), was chanted by one of the priests, and at certain intervals the multitudes joined in the responses, waving their branches of willow and palm and shouting "Hallelujah," or, "Hosanna," or, "O Lord, we beseech Thee, do send now prosperity" (118:25).

On each of the seven days during which the feast lasted, the people thronged the court of the Temple and went in procession about the altar, setting their boughs bending toward it, the trumpets sounding as they shouted, "Hosanna."

The early Christian church adopted this word into its worship. It is found in the earliest of times.