Jesus from Rabbinic Sources – The Son of God

The Talmud, Midrashim, and medieval rabbis declare that the Messiah of Psalm 2 is the Son of God—begotten of the LORD and called to receive the nations as His inheritance.

Ancient Jewish texts that declare the Messiah—the Son of David—is also the Son of God. Psalm 2, which calls the Lord’s Anointed “My Son” (Psalm 2:7, 12), was understood by rabbis as referring to the coming Messiah. The concept of the Messiah as the divine Son was not foreign to Jewish thought but formed part of the ancient expectation long before the first century.

The Babylonian Talmud (Sukkah 52a) records that the Holy One will say to Messiah ben David, “Ask of Me anything,” citing Psalm 2:7–8: “Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.” Midrash Rabbah on Psalm 89:27 states that God will make Messiah His firstborn, just as He made Israel His firstborn (Exodus 4:22). David Kimchi, Jarchi, Aben Ezra, and other rabbis affirm that the rabbis of blessed memory interpret Psalm 2 of the King Messiah. These sources show that the title “Son of God” belonged to the expected Messiah within Jewish tradition itself.

Ancient Jewish sources declare Messiah would be the Son of God.

Psalm 2 speaks of God’s Anointed/Messiah as His Son.

Psa 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

In the Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah 52a it says:
“The rabbis have taught, the Holy One, blessed by He, will say to Messiah ben David, may he be revealed soon in our days. ‘Ask of Me anything and I shall give it to you.’ For it is written, the Lord said to me, ‘Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee. Ask of Me and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance (Psalm 2:7-8).’ And when he will see that Messiah ben Joseph will be slain, he will say before Him, ‘Master of the World! I ask nothing of you except life.’ God will say to him, ‘Even before you said, “life,” your father David prophesied about you, as it is written, ‘He asked life of thee, Thou gavest it to him. (Psalm 21:5)’” [Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah 52a]

The Midrash confirms the view that Messiah is God’s Son when commenting on Psalm 89:27:
“Rabbi Nathan said that God spoke to Israel saying, ‘As I made Jacob firstborn, for it is written Israel is My son, even My firstborn” (Exodus 4:22), So also will I make Messiah My firstborn as it is written, ” I will make Him My firstborn.’ {Commentary on Psalm 89:27 taken from Midrash Rabbah Shebot}

The following quotes come from John Gill’s commentary on the Bible.
David Kimchi says of Psalm 2:
“there are that interpret it of Gog and Magog, and the Messiah, he is the King Messiah; and so the Rabbins of blessed memory interpret it.” {In Psal. ii. 12. Vid. T. Bab. Avoda Zara, fol. 3. 2.}

Jarchi agrees:
“Our Rabbins (says he) expound this affair concerning the King Messiah; but according to its literal sense, and for an answer to the heretics (or Christians), it is right to explain it concerning David himself.”

Aben Ezra:
“from thence shall come forth, in that day, the Messiah of David; and this is the mystery of, “I will declare the decree, the Lord said unto me, thou art my Son” {Zohar in Numb. fol. 82. 2}

“says R. Hone, in the name of R. Ame, this is the King Messiah, as it is said, Psa_2:7 “this day have I begotten thee”.’ {In Abarbinel. Mashmia Jeshua, fol. 37. 2.}

And in like manner in the Talmud (l), it is understood of the Messiah, where are these expressions;

“the Rabbins teach, that Messiah, the son of David, who shall be revealed in haste in our days, the holy blessed God said unto him, ask anything of me, and I will give it thee, as it is said, Psa_2:7 “I will declare the decree, &c. this day have I begotten thee”.” { T. Bab. Succa, fol. 52. 1. (m) R. Isaac, Chizzuk Emuna, par. 2. c. 68. p. 454}

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