Hosanna is a liturgical word in Judaism and Christianity. In Judaism, it is always used in its original Hebrew form, Hoshana.
Etymology
The word hosanna is etymologically derived from Latin osanna,[1] hosanna which itself was derived from Greek ὡσαννά, ὠσαννά,[2] representing Hebrew ×”×•×©×™×¢×”Ö¾× ×, הושיעה × ×"Ž[3] hôšâ'-nÄ'[4] which is short for hôšî'â-nÄ' from Aramaic הושע × ×"Ž[5] meaning "save, pray".[6] Christian usage has come through the Greek Bible, giving it the form ὡσαννά, hÅsanná.
In liturgical context, it refers to a shout of praise and worship [7] and adoration,[8] or referring to a cry expressing an appeal for divine help.[9] It appears in numerous verses including in "Hosanna; blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord" (Mark 11.9), "hosanna in the highest" (Mark 11.10); "hosanna to the Son of David" (Matt 21:9), "help" or "save, I pray" (Psalm 118:25).
Judaism
"Hoshana" (×”×•×©×¢× ×) is a Hebrew word meaning please save or save now. [10] In Jewish liturgy, the word is applied specifically to the Hoshana Service, a cycle of prayers from which a selection is sung each morning during Sukkot, the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles. The complete cycle is sung on the seventh day of the festival, which is called Hoshana Rabbah (×”×•×©×¢× × ×¨×‘×, "Great Hosanna").[11]
[edit] Christianity
"Hosanna" (Greek transcription: ὡσαννά, hÅsanna) is the cry of praise or adoration shouted in recognition of the Messiahship of Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem, Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord![12] It is used in the same way in Christian praise.
Overall, it seems that "Hosanna" is a cry for salvation; while at the same time is a declaration of praise. Therefore, it may be derived that this plea for help is out of an agreeably positive connotation.
The old interpretation "Save, now!" which may be a popular etymology, is based on Psalm 118:25 (Hebrew הוֹשִ×יעָה × Ö¸Ö¼× hOshEeah-nna) (Possibly "Savior"). This does not fully explain the occurrence of the word in the Gospels, which has given rise to complex discussions.[13]
Other examples of modern usage
The "Hosanna Anthem",[14] based on the phrase Hosanna, is a traditional Moravian Church anthem written by Bishop Christian Gregor of Herrnhut sung on Palm Sunday and the first Sunday of Advent. It is antiphonal, i.e. a call-and-response song; traditionally, it is sung between the children and adult congregation, though it is not unheard of for it to be done in other ways, such as between choir and congregation, or played between trombone choirs.
Harry Belafonte recorded a song entitled "Hosanna" on his popular 1956 album Calypso.
"Hosanna" is also the name of one of the songs featured in the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The song occurs in the scene in which Jesus rides on a donkey into Jerusalem, as in the above Biblical passages. Jesus is mocked by the high priest Caiaphas while his followers praise him as the Messiah.
British rock band Kula Shaker's first track on their 1999 album Peasants, Pigs and Astronauts is titled "Great Hosannah".
The English band Killing Joke uses the word in their 2006 album Hosannas from the Basements of Hell.
Many songs for church use bear the title "Hosanna", including songs written by New Zealand singer Brooke Fraser Ligertwood (released on the 2007 Hillsong United albums All of the Above and live on Saviour King and covered by the Canadian group Starfield on their album I Will Go); another version written by Paul Baloche on his 2006 album A Greater Song; another written by gospel artist Kirk Franklin, and another by Andrew Peterson on his 2008 album Resurrection Letters II.
Argentinian music and comedy group Les Luthiers recorded "Gloria Hosanna, That's the Question" on their 1971 album Sonamos Pese A Todo.
In the 1972 musical 1776, a song entitled "Cool, Cool Considerate Men" uses Hosanna repeatedly in the refrain to celebrate John Adams' absence from the Continental Congress.
A. R. Rahman composed the song "Hosanna" for the 2010 Tamil movie Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa. Here the word is used as an exclamation of joy when a man sees his beloved.
In Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim's 2010 Funny or Die Presents segment "Morning Prayer With Skott & Behr", the title characters greatly overuse the word "hosanna", often as a virtual filler word.
Architect Frank Lloyd Wright famously used the word in his exclamation "Hosanna! A client!" after securing a commission, breaking a long, dry spell.[15]
Hosanna was also used as the subject for a religious song by Henry Purcell.
Hosanna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
