anointed one
The divinely selected
A person chosen or designated for a special purpose, often with divine sanction or ceremonial ritual.
The phrase carries religious weight from ancient traditions of pouring oil on kings and priests to mark their sacred appointment.
In secular use, it describes someone groomed as a successor or favorite: She was the anointed one, expected to take over the company.
The tone can be sincere or ironic, depending on whether the speaker believes the designation is deserved.
- ChristThe anointed savior
- Jesus ChristChristianity's central deity
- Son of GodChrist's divine designation
- kingMale crowned ruler
- MessiahProphesied divine deliverer
promised one · Redeemer · oil · Judaism · Old Testament · chosen people · holy oil · Consecration · salvation · eschatology · second coming · Covenant · David · redemption · King of Kings · baptized · prophecy · appointed
- successorsheir apparent, heir presumptive, next in line, crown prince, crown princess
- Saviorssavior, messiah, redeemer, deliverer, liberator
- IsaiahIsaiah, prophet, Immanuel, Emmanuel, suffering servant
- Jewish Messiahmessiah, redeemer, anointed king, future king, chosen one
- Messiahsmessiah, Christ, Jesus, chosen one, promised one
- MessianismMessiah, chosen one, promised one, Christ, messianic hope
anointed oneself-appointed
Claiming authority unbidden
usurper · pretender · impostor · false prophet · false messiah
anointed oneoutcast
Shunned, rejected person
pariah · damned · accursed · reprobate · excommunicate
anointed onecommoner
Non-noble person
nobody · everyman · layperson · uninitiated · the masses