The Son – Jesus Christ in the Old Testament: Presence, Prophecy, and Prefiguration
1. Introduction
Although the name “Jesus” does not appear in the Old Testament (OT), Christian theology holds that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is present throughout its narrative. This presence is not explicit but revealed through types, prophecies, divine appearances, and messianic anticipation. The OT forms the theological foundation upon which the New Testament reveals the Son in fullness, establishing continuity between the pre-incarnate Son and the incarnate Christ.
2. Theological Framework: The Eternal Son
Christian doctrine affirms that Jesus is the eternal Son, not created but begotten, existing before all time (John 1:1–2; Col. 1:15–17). Therefore, the OT cannot be read as merely pre-Christian; rather, it bears witness to the Son before His incarnation.
Key affirmations include:
- Pre-existence – “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58).
- Divine Agency in Creation – “By Him all things were created” (Col. 1:16).
- Typological fulfilment – “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted… the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27).
3. Christophanies: The Pre-Incarnate Appearances of the Son
Several OT theophanies (appearances of God) are interpreted by early Christian and patristic writers as Christophanies—pre-incarnate manifestations of the Son.
| Event or Title | Description | Key Verses |
|---|---|---|
| The Angel of the LORD | Speaks as God, receives worship, forgives sins | Gen. 16:7–13; Exod. 3:2–6; Judg. 6 |
| Commander of the LORD’s Army | Receives worship from Joshua, identifies as holy ground | Joshua 5:13–15 |
| The Fourth Man in the Fire | “Like a son of the gods” – divine protector | Daniel 3:25 |
| The LORD appearing to Abraham | Three men visit Abraham; one speaks as God | Genesis 18 |
These appearances are distinguished from created angels and suggest a divine figure—interpreted theologically as the Logos, the Son in pre-incarnate form.
4. Messianic Prophecies: Anticipation of the Coming Son
The OT contains hundreds of prophecies pointing forward to a coming Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus. These prophecies shape the identity of the Son in the NT.
Key Messianic Prophecies:
| Theme | OT Passage | NT Fulfilment |
|---|---|---|
| Born of a virgin | Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:22–23 |
| Born in Bethlehem | Micah 5:2 | Matthew 2:4–6 |
| A suffering servant | Isaiah 53 | Acts 8:32–35; 1 Peter 2:24 |
| Pierced for transgressions | Zechariah 12:10 | John 19:37 |
| Declared Son of God | Psalm 2:7 | Hebrews 1:5; Acts 13:33 |
| Eternal King from David | 2 Samuel 7:12–14 | Luke 1:32–33 |
These prophecies do not merely predict a future deliverer; they prepare the theological groundwork for recognising Jesus as the Son.
5. Typology: Prefigurations of the Son
The OT is rich in types—persons, events, and institutions that symbolically foreshadow Christ.
| OT Type | Description | Fulfilment in the Son |
|---|---|---|
| Adam | Federal head of humanity | Christ as the Last Adam (Rom. 5) |
| Isaac | Willing son offered by the father | Christ offered on the cross |
| Joseph | Betrayed and exalted to save others | Christ’s rejection and exaltation |
| Moses | Deliverer and mediator | Christ as greater Moses (Heb. 3) |
| David | Anointed king and shepherd | Christ as Son of David |
| Passover Lamb | Blood saves from judgment | Christ, the Lamb of God (John 1) |
| Temple and Priest | Mediation and sacrifice | Christ as High Priest (Heb. 9–10) |
These types point to Jesus not by coincidence but by divine design, forming a redemptive trajectory.
6. Psalms and Wisdom Literature: Sonship and Kingship
The Psalms, especially the Royal and Messianic Psalms, contain direct references to the Son:
- Psalm 2:7 – “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.” (cf. Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5)
- Psalm 110:1 – “The LORD said to my Lord…” – referenced by Jesus (Matt. 22:44)
- Psalm 22 – A prophetic depiction of Christ’s crucifixion (cf. Matt. 27:46)
The Book of Proverbs also hints at divine Sonship and pre-existence:
- Proverbs 30:4 – “Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if you know?”
In Christian interpretation, these writings contribute to the Son’s identity as divine ruler, sufferer, and redeemer.
7. Wisdom and Logos Theology
Jewish wisdom literature presents personified Wisdom, active in creation, calling out to humanity, and mediating knowledge:
- Proverbs 8:22–31 – Wisdom present before creation.
- Wisdom of Solomon 7:25–26 (Deuterocanonical) – Describes Wisdom in near-divine terms.
The NT identifies Jesus as the Logos (Word) of God:
- John 1:1–3 – “In the beginning was the Word… through Him all things were made.”
Patristic theology often connected Wisdom and Logos with the pre-incarnate Son, affirming continuity between Jewish thought and Christology.
8. Covenant and the Son
The Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants all point toward a Messianic figure who would:
- Bless all nations (Gen. 12:3 – fulfilled in Christ, Gal. 3:16).
- Obey the law perfectly (Isa. 42:21).
- Sit on David’s eternal throne (2 Sam. 7:13 – echoed in Luke 1:32).
The Son in the OT is thus not merely predicted but embedded in covenantal structure, awaiting fulfilment in the new covenant (Jer. 31:31–34; Heb. 8).
9. Conclusion
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is present throughout the Old Testament, not in name, but in type, prophecy, and divine presence. The OT anticipates His coming through a rich tapestry of figures, promises, and appearances, forming a Christ-centred unity of Scripture. For Christian theology, the Son’s presence in the OT is not a later imposition but a divinely orchestrated reality, progressively revealed and fulfilled in the incarnation.
10. References
- Kaiser, W. C. (1995). The Messiah in the Old Testament. Zondervan.
- Beale, G. K. (2011). A New Testament Biblical Theology. Baker Academic.
- Goldsworthy, G. (1991). According to Plan. IVP.
- Hamilton, J. M. (2010). God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment. Crossway.
- Wright, C. J. H. (2006). Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament. IVP.
- NIV, ESV, and NRSV translations consulted.