Is Jesus as the son of God mentioned in the old testament?

The Torah's Seed

The Seed of the Woman and Abraham's Line

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 3:15 (NIV)

This foundational promise introduces the Seed of the woman who will crush the serpent's head through His own suffering.

The earliest pages of Scripture establish that redemption would arrive through a designated descendant who would decisively conquer evil. In Genesis 3:15, God declares judgment upon the serpent, establishing perpetual enmity between its lineage and the woman's offspring: He will crush your head, and you will bruise His heel. The New Testament identifies this triumph in Jesus, born of a woman to destroy the devil's work (Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8). The patriarchal narratives progressively narrow this lineage. God promises Abraham that through his offspring all earth's families will receive blessing (Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18), an everlasting covenant sealed in unconditional grace (Genesis 17:7; fulfilled in Galatians 3:8, 16). On Mount Moriah, Abraham foresees that God Himself will provide the lamb for sacrifice (Genesis 22:8; John 1:29). This covenant promise is reaffirmed through Isaac (Genesis 21:12; Genesis 26:4; Romans 9:7) and then Jacob (Genesis 28:14; Luke 1:33). On his deathbed, Jacob narrows the royal line to Judah, prophesying that the royal staff will not depart until Shiloh comes, commanding the obedience of all nations (Genesis 49:10; Revelation 5:5). Early shadows reinforce this trajectory: Enoch's bodily translation beyond the reach of death anticipates the resurrection and ascension (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5), while Melchizedek, priest-king of Salem, prefigures Christ's eternal priesthood without earthly succession (Genesis 14:18; Hebrews 7:1-3).

Types of Redemption

Priest, Sacrifice, and Prophet Foretold

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.

Deuteronomy 18:15 (NIV)

Moses identifies a future Prophet from within Israel whom God will raise up and whom everyone must heed.

Israel's institutions and historical trials were designed as types pointing forward to the ultimate Redeemer. In Deuteronomy 18:15, Moses promises that the LORD will raise up an authoritative Prophet like himself from among their brothers, to whom everyone must listen—a promise fulfilled in Jesus, who spoke only the Father's words (Deuteronomy 18:18; Acts 3:22-23; John 12:49). The sacrificial economy anticipated His redeeming work. The Passover required an unblemished yearling male whose blood protected Israel from judgment (Exodus 12:5; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19), with the express requirement that not a single bone be broken (Exodus 12:46; John 19:36). In the wilderness, the rock smitten by Moses yielded life-giving streams, prefiguring the spiritual water flowing from Christ (Exodus 17:6; 1 Corinthians 10:4). When judgment struck Israel, Moses hoisted a bronze serpent on a pole, providing life to any dying sinner who looked in faith (Numbers 21:9; John 3:14-15). Balaam's oracle saw a royal star and scepter rising out of Jacob to crush Israel's adversaries (Numbers 24:17; Matthew 2:2; Revelation 22:16). The Levitical ceremonies detailed atonement through innocent blood within the veil (Leviticus 16:15; Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:11-22), the waving of the firstfruits sheaf foreshadowed Christ's rising (Leviticus 23:10; 1 Corinthians 15:20), and the curse of hanging upon a tree anticipated His sin-bearing death (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13).

The Son in Wisdom

The Ineffable Name and His Eternal Son

Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!

Proverbs 30:4 (NIV)

Agur challenges mortal understanding by asking who ascended and descended, demanding to know the Creator's name and His Son's name.

The Wisdom literature of the Old Testament looks beyond mortal experience into the mystery of God's eternal relational life and divine Sonship. In Proverbs 30:4, Agur poses profound rhetorical questions about the Creator: Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Agur then presses the ultimate inquiry: What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if you know? The New Testament directly responds: Christ alone descended from heaven and ascended (John 3:13; Ephesians 4:9-10), bearing the Father's eternal name (Revelation 19:12-13). This divine figure appears elsewhere in Wisdom. In Proverbs 8, divine Wisdom speaks as an eternal Person possessing divine attributes: brought forth from everlasting before the foundations of the world were laid (Proverbs 8:22-23; John 1:1-2; Colossians 1:15-17), acting beside the Creator as a master craftsman, rejoicing continually in His presence (Proverbs 8:30; John 1:3; Hebrews 1:2). In the midst of severe physical torment and abandonment, Job affirms his assurance of a personal, divine vindicator: he knows that his living Redeemer lives and will stand at last upon the dust (Job 19:25; John 11:25), assuring him that in resurrected flesh he will see God Himself (Job 19:26; 1 Corinthians 15:53-54; 1 John 3:2).

The Royal Psalms

The Begotten Son and Eternal Monarch

I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.

Psalms 2:7 (NIV)

God declares the decree of His Sonship, appointing His begotten King over Mount Zion.

The Psalter explicitly introduces God's anointed King as His eternal, divine Son. In Psalms 2:7, God announces the unshakeable royal decree: You are my Son; today I have begotten you. The psalm reveals the rebellious kings raging against the LORD and His Anointed (Psalms 2:2; Acts 4:26-27), concluding with the command to kiss the Son lest He become angry, declaring blessed all who take refuge in Him (Psalms 2:12; John 5:23; Philippians 2:10-11). The New Testament links this begetting directly to Christ's divine dignity and resurrection (Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5). David marvels that humanity and the Son of Man are crowned with glory and given dominion over all creation (Psalms 8:4-6; Hebrews 2:6-9). David further rejoices that God will not leave His Holy One in Sheol or let Him see decay (Psalms 16:10; Acts 2:27-31). The royal epithalamium addresses this King as God, possessing an eternal throne and an upright scepter (Psalms 45:6-7; Hebrews 1:8-9). David's royal heir receives worldwide homage and an everlasting name (Psalms 72:11, 17; Psalms 89:27; Psalms 132:11). In Psalms 110:1, David addresses the Messiah as his Lord, seated at God's right hand (Matthew 22:43-45), while the Father swears He is an eternal priest after Melchizedek's order (Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 7:17). The stone discarded by the builders becomes the cornerstone (Psalms 118:22; Matthew 21:42), the King of glory enters the ancient gates (Psalms 24:7), He comes with a prepared body to accomplish God's will (Psalms 40:6-8; Hebrews 10:5-9), and as eternal Creator He outlasts the rolling up of the heavens (Psalms 102:25-27; Hebrews 1:10-12).

The Suffering Servant

Pierced Hands, Betrayal, and Scorn in Psalms

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?

Psalms 22:1 (NIV)

David records the forsaken cry of the righteous sufferer, previewing the precise physical details of crucifixion.

When David cried out in Psalms 22:1, he spoke words that exceeded his own biographical experience, establishing the prophetic vocabulary for the crucifixion of the Son of God. Christ made this agonizing lamentation His very own upon the cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). The psalm details the cruel theater of Golgotha: onlookers scoffing, shooting out lips, and wagging heads (Psalms 22:7; Matthew 27:39-40), sneering that the LORD should deliver the one in whom He delighted (Psalms 22:8; Matthew 27:43). Long before Roman execution was conceived, the psalmist described being encircled by evildoers who pierced His hands and feet (Psalms 22:16; John 20:25; Luke 24:39-40). The soldiers divided His garments and cast lots for His seamless tunic (Psalms 22:18; Matthew 27:35; John 19:23-24), while His strength dried like a potsherd amid intense thirst (Psalms 22:15; John 19:28).

The rest of the Psalter completes this portrait of the righteous Sufferer. In His dying breath, Jesus committed His spirit into the Father's hand (Psalms 31:5; Luke 23:46). Although subjected to violent abuse, not one of His bones was broken (Psalms 34:20; John 19:36). He was hated without a cause (Psalms 35:19; John 15:25), and betrayed by a familiar companion who shared His table (Psalms 41:9; John 13:18), whose abandoned office was later filled by another (Psalms 109:8; Acts 1:20). While consumed with holy zeal for God's house (Psalms 69:9; John 2:17; Romans 15:3), He was offered gall and sour wine for His thirst (Psalms 69:21; Matthew 27:34; John 19:28-29). Amid false accusations, He answered with intercessory prayer for His tormentors (Psalms 109:4; Luke 23:34). Yet suffering gave way to royal triumph when He ascended on high, leading captivity captive (Psalms 68:18; Ephesians 4:8-10).

The Evangelical Prophet

The Virgin Birth, Mighty God, and Atonement

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

A human child born into the world is designated by divine titles including Mighty God and Prince of Peace.

Isaiah's prophecy delivers an astonishing disclosure: a child is born who is simultaneously the Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:11; Titus 2:13). This divine Son is introduced through the promise of a virgin conceiving Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 1:31-34). His public dawn was designated for Galilee of the nations, shining light upon those dwelling in shadow (Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:13-16; John 8:12). From the severed line of Jesse, a fruitful Branch emerged (Isaiah 11:1; Romans 15:12; Acts 13:22-23), permanently anointed with the sevenfold fullness of the Spirit of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 3:16; John 1:32). God appointed Him as a tested cornerstone for faith, yet a stumbling stone to unbelieving houses (Isaiah 8:14; Isaiah 28:16; Romans 9:32-33; 1 Peter 2:6-8).

As the prophetic herald cleared the desert way (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:1-3; Mark 1:2-3), the Messiah opened His ministry bringing good news to the poor and sight to the blind (Isaiah 35:5-6; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 11:4-5; Luke 4:18-21). He ministered with profound tenderness, refusing to crush a bruised reed (Isaiah 42:1-3; Matthew 12:17-20), reaching beyond Israel as a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6; Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47). Yet glory passed through vicarious agony. The Servant surrendered His back to beatings and His face to spitting (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 26:67; Matthew 27:26), His appearance marred beyond recognition (Isaiah 52:14; Philippians 2:7-8; Mark 15:15-19). Despised and rejected as a man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3; John 1:11; Luke 17:25), He carried our griefs and sins (Isaiah 53:4, 6; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24-25). He was pierced for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5; Romans 4:25), led silent like a slaughter lamb (Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32-35; Matthew 27:12-14), buried in a rich man's tomb (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60), crushed as a guilt offering, and numbered with criminals while interceding for them (Isaiah 53:10, 12; Mark 15:27-28; Luke 22:37; Romans 8:32-34), ultimately swallowing up death forever (Isaiah 25:8; 1 Corinthians 15:54).

The Major Prophets

Righteous Branch and Son of Man

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

Daniel 7:13 (NIV)

Daniel sees One like a Son of Man approaching the Ancient of Days with clouds of heaven to receive an everlasting kingdom.

The Prophet Daniel beheld heaven opened, seeing One like a Son of Man approaching the Ancient of Days on the clouds of heaven (Daniel 7:13; Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:13). To this divine-human King was granted an everlasting dominion and kingdom that can never be dismantled (Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:14; Luke 1:33; Philippians 2:9-11). Daniel was given the exact prophetic chronology for this Messiah: seventy weeks determined to finish transgression, put an end to sins, and make reconciliation for iniquity (Daniel 9:24; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 9:26). From the royal decree restoring Jerusalem's walls, the timeline counted down to Messiah the Prince, who would be cut off not for Himself prior to the sanctuary's destruction (Daniel 9:25-26; John 1:41; Mark 1:15; Matthew 27:35; 1 Peter 3:18).

Jeremiah and Ezekiel anchor this heavenly Figure firmly to the covenant promises made to David's royal lineage. Jeremiah foretold that the LORD would raise up a righteous Branch to execute justice and wisdom in the land (Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15; Luke 1:32-33). His majestic title reveals His true nature: The LORD Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21), the Architect who institutes the new covenant of inward regeneration and total forgiveness (Jeremiah 31:31; Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 8:8-12). Through Ezekiel, God pledged to raise up one singular Shepherd—His servant David—who will feed His gathered flock and rule over them as eternal Prince (Ezekiel 34:23; Ezekiel 37:24; John 10:11-16; Hebrews 13:20). Together, the major prophets present the Messiah as the eternal Son, the royal Branch, and the sovereign Shepherd whose sacrificial death inaugurates an everlasting reign of righteousness.

The Minor Prophets

Bethlehem's Ruler, Pierced Shepherd, and Messenger

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Micah 5:2 (NIV)

The prophet identifies tiny Bethlehem as the birthplace of the eternal ruler whose origins are from ancient days.

Micah revealed that the eternal Sovereign would emerge from humble obscurity: Bethlehem Ephrathah would yield the Ruler whose origins are from ancient days (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-6; John 7:42). The Minor Prophets weave an intricate tapestry of His advent, suffering, and priesthood. Hosea typologically framed God's Son called up out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15), while Jonah's three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish prefigured His burial and bodily resurrection (Jonah 1:17; Matthew 12:40). Haggai promised that the long-expected Desire of all nations would fill the second temple with unmatched glory (Haggai 2:7; Luke 2:27-32; Hebrews 12:26).

Zechariah provides remarkable precision concerning the King's passion and offices. The Messiah enters Jerusalem gentle and riding upon a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-5; John 12:14-15). Yet He is valued at the tragic price of thirty pieces of silver, which was subsequently cast to the potter in the house of the LORD (Zechariah 11:12-13; Matthew 26:15; Matthew 27:7-10). God's own sword awoke against His Companion Shepherd, scattering the flock (Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27), causing the inhabitants of Jerusalem to look upon the One whom they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34-37; Revelation 1:7). Zechariah reveals that this royal Branch unites royal rule with an eternal priesthood (Zechariah 6:12-13; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 8:1), and His feet will one day stand upon the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:11-12). Malachi closes the canon by announcing Elijah's messenger clearing the way (Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5; Matthew 11:10-14; Mark 1:2), as the Sun of Righteousness rises with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2; Luke 1:78-79).

Where in the Bible

The story in order

1. The Seed of the Woman (c. 4000 BC) · Genesis 3:15 · God's first promise of a redeemer who would crush the serpent.
2. Abraham's Seed of Blessing (c. 2000 BC) · Genesis 12:3 · Promise of worldwide blessing through Abraham's descendants.
3. Melchizedek's Priesthood (c. 2000 BC) · Genesis 14:18 · A priest-king offers bread and wine, foreshadowing Christ's ministry.
4. The Passover Lamb (c. 1445 BC) · Exodus 12:5 · Unblemished lamb sacrificed to avert God's wrath, pointing to Christ.
5. The Smitten Rock (c. 1445 BC) · Exodus 17:6 · Water from the rock sustains Israel, symbolizing Christ's life-giving provision.
6. The Prophet Like Moses (c. 1405 BC) · Deuteronomy 18:15 · Promise of a future prophet who will speak God's words.
7. Job's Redeemer (c. 1500 BC) · Job 19:25 · Confession of a living Redeemer who will stand on earth.
8. Wisdom's Eternal Existence (c. 950 BC) · Proverbs 8:23 · Wisdom, identified with God's Son, existed before creation.
9. The Son Begotten (c. 1000 BC) · Psalms 2:7 · God declares His Son, the Anointed King, to be His own.
10. The Suffering Servant (c. 700 BC) · Isaiah 53:5 · Prophecy of the Servant pierced for transgressions and bearing iniquity.
11. Immanuel, God With Us (c. 734 BC) · Isaiah 7:14 · Prophecy of a virgin birth, with a son named Immanuel.
12. The Righteous Branch (c. 600 BC) · Jeremiah 23:5 · Promise of a descendant of David who will reign righteously.
13. Son of Man's Kingdom (c. 550 BC) · Daniel 7:13-14 · Vision of a Son of Man receiving everlasting dominion.
14. Messiah Cut Off (c. 535 BC) · Daniel 9:26 · Prophecy of Messiah being killed but not for Himself.

Shadows and Fulfillments

Promises of the Son

The Son's Identity and Work

Key words

Son (ben (Hebrew))

Refers to the unique, divine Son of God, foretold in prophecy. · Genesis 3:15

Seed (zera (Hebrew))

Descendants, particularly the promised line through whom blessing comes. · Genesis 3:15

Anointed (mashiach (Hebrew))

One set apart and empowered by God for a special task (Messiah). · Psalms 2:2

Redeemer (go'el (Hebrew))

One who buys back or delivers from bondage or ruin. · Job 19:25

Branch (zemach (Hebrew))

A shoot from a royal line, signifying a future king and ruler. · Jeremiah 23:5

Servant (eved (Hebrew))

God's chosen servant who suffers for the sins of His people. · Isaiah 42:1

Messiah (Mashiach (Hebrew))

The Anointed One, the foretold King and Savior. · Daniel 9:25