Hosanna

What is the meaning of hosanna? We hear of it throughout the church year and especially on Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-11). The crowds who were celebrating Jesus kept shouting, “Hosanna! … Hosanna in the highest!” What did they mean? Hosanna is a combination of two Hebrew words. The first is yasha meaning “help” or “save” and is also a root of Jesus’ name. The second is na meaning “please” or “we pray” and the combination into the Hebrew word Hoshia-na is both a plea and a praise. It is also a cheer. Jesus is the only one fully worthy of the cheer. Unlike most world leaders who ride in expensive carriages and limousines, leaders of Israel were to ride a donkey symbolizing the humility that God expects of his leaders. We shout hosanna in celebration of the true Savior.