A joyful shout asking for help or saving, often used as a way to praise God.
About Hosanna
A Hebrew expression that means “Save, please.” It comes from Psalm 118:25: "O LORD, save us, we pray."
Psalm 118 is a statement of trust in the Lord’s help. People say this when they need it. The whole psalm was part of a longer song called the Hallel. People sang it on important days. Verse 25 was used in the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles or tents. When this verse was read, people would wave branches of myrtle, willow, and palm trees. People may have waved branches at other times too as a way to show joy. This happens in 2 Maccabees 10:6–7, at a ceremony to make the temple holy again after it had been misused.
Key References
The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”
All Scripture References (5)
Matthew (2)
The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
Mark (2)
The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
John (1)
They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”