What Does Hosanna Mean?
What Does Hosanna Mean? Hosanna is a Hebrew cry of praise meaning 'Save now!' — shouted by the crowds as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Key verse: Matthew 21:9 (KJV)
Hosanna is a Hebrew cry of praise meaning 'Save now!' — shouted by the crowds as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Hosanna is a Hebrew cry of praise meaning 'Save now!' — shouted by the crowds as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." — Matthew 21:9 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
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The Biblical Answer
Hosanna comes from the Hebrew hoshi'ah na', meaning 'Save, we pray' or 'Save now!' It appears in Psalm 118:25 as a plea for God's deliverance: 'Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.' By the time of Jesus, it had become a shout of praise and acclamation, much like 'Hallelujah.' When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches and cried, 'Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.' Within days, the same crowds would demand His crucifixion. The word captures the paradox of Palm Sunday: genuine praise mixed with shallow enthusiasm. True hosanna is not merely a shout but a heart-cry for salvation — and Jesus answered it at the cross.
Key Scripture References
"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."
"Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity."
"Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem one week before His resurrection, when crowds waved palm branches and cried 'Hosanna!'
What Is the Passion of Christ?
The Passion of Christ refers to the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus — the events that secured salvation for all who believe.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
What Is the Trinity?
The Trinity is the doctrine that God exists as three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in one divine being.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Palm Sunday Bible Hub
A KJV Palm Sunday hub: the triumphal entry in all four Gospels, what Hosanna mea
Hosanna (הוֹשַׁעְנָא (Hosha'na))
A cry of praise meaning 'Save us!' or 'Save, we pray!'
Strong's G5614 — Hosanna
הוֹשַׁעְנָא (Hosha'na) • A cry of praise meaning 'Save us!' or 'Save, we pray!'
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does Hosanna Mean?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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