The Core Concept: Usually Two Messiahs In traditional Jewish thought (especially post-Temple rabbinic sources), there are two primary messianic figures involved in the redemption process:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s9oFHCw3PHU

The confusion about "3 messiahs" — specifically Messiah ben Yosef, ben Ephraim, and ben David — comes from Jewish eschatological (end-times) traditions in rabbinic literature like the Talmud, midrashim, and later Kabbalistic texts. It's not exactly three separate figures; it's more like two main ones, with some overlap in naming and occasional references to additional roles.The Core Concept: Usually Two MessiahsIn traditional Jewish thought (especially post-Temple rabbinic sources), there are two primary messianic figures involved in the redemption process:

• Mashiach ben David (Messiah son of David):
  This is the "main" or final Messiah most people refer to when saying "the Messiah." He descends from King David (tribe of Judah), will reign as a king, bring ultimate peace, rebuild the Temple, gather the exiles, and usher in the full Messianic era. He's the victorious, ruling figure.
• Mashiach ben Yosef (Messiah son of Joseph), also called Mashiach ben Ephraim (Messiah son of Ephraim):
  This is the precursor or "first" messiah. He comes from the tribe of Ephraim (a son of Joseph), fights wars against Israel's enemies (often linked to the "birth pangs" of the Messiah or battles like Gog and Magog), prepares the way for ben David... but tragically dies in battle or is killed (sometimes by a figure like Armilus). His death atones or purifies, paving the way for the final redemption. Some sources say he will be resurrected later.

Ben Yosef and ben Ephraim are the same figure — not two different ones. The names are interchangeable because Ephraim was Joseph's son, and the northern kingdom of Israel was often called "Ephraim" in prophecy. So Messiah ben Yosef = Messiah ben Ephraim. That's why people sometimes list them as if they're separate, but they're not.Why It Feels Like "Three"?

• Some older or variant texts (like certain Targumim or midrashim) mention three anointed figures: Messiah ben David, Messiah ben Ephraim, and Elijah (or sometimes a "Righteous Priest").
• In Talmud Sukkah 52b, there's a reference to "four craftsmen" (from Zechariah): Elijah, Messiah ben David, Messiah ben Joseph, and a Righteous Priest — so occasionally people count more roles.
• But the dominant tradition is two messiahs: the suffering/warrior precursor (ben Yosef/Ephraim) and the reigning king (ben David). No mainstream Jewish view has three fully distinct messiahs.

Where Does This Come From?The idea resolves biblical prophecies that seem contradictory:

• Some describe a suffering or dying figure (e.g., Zechariah 12:10 — mourning for one "thrust through").
• Others describe a triumphant king (e.g., from David’s line).

Rather than one person fulfilling both (as in Christian interpretation of Jesus' two comings), rabbinic tradition splits them into two individuals. The concept appears in the Talmud (e.g., Sukkah 52a–b), midrashim, and has ancient roots — even pre-Christian sources like a Dead Sea Scroll inscription hint at dual messiahs (Davidic and Ephraim-related).The Video You LinkedThe YouTube video ("שלמה מולכו מליסבון: מקובל בעל חזון משיחי של גאולת ישראל כמשיח בן יוסף") is an academic discussion (in Hebrew) with Prof. Israel Knohl about historical Kabbalist Solomon Molcho (16th century). Molcho saw himself (or envisioned) as Messiah ben Yosef — a suffering precursor who would die in battle to prepare for Messiah ben David. It dives into ancient sources (Talmud, midrash, even a pre-Jesus inscription mentioning "ask from Ephraim" in relation to "servant David") to argue the two-messiah idea has deep biblical roots, not just later invention.So, short version: No, not really three separate messiahs — it's mainly two (ben David as the final one, ben Yosef/ben Ephraim as the same precursor who suffers/dies first). The "3" comes from naming variations or extra figures like Elijah in some texts. Hope that clears up the confusion! If you have a specific part of the video that's tripping you up, let me know.

Gabriel's Revelation (also known as Hazon Gabriel or the Jeselsohn Stone) is an ancient stone tablet with about 87 lines of Hebrew text written in ink. It's dated to the late 1st century BCE or early 1st century CE (around the time of Herod the Great or just after), making it roughly contemporary with the Dead Sea Scrolls era. The text is an apocalyptic prophecy or vision, written in the first person as if the angel Gabriel is speaking.This inscription is highly relevant to the discussion of Messiah ben Yosef / ben Ephraim (the suffering or slain messiah) because it provides one of the earliest pieces of evidence for ideas about a messianic figure who suffers, dies, and possibly experiences some form of revival or sign — concepts that later appear in rabbinic traditions about Messiah ben Joseph.Key Features of the TextThe tablet mentions:

• Prophecies of end-times events, wars, and divine intervention.
• References to David (as "David my servant") and Ephraim (linked to the northern tribes/Joseph).
• A figure who is slain or suffers (possibly a "prince of princes" or messianic leader).
• Themes of evil being defeated by righteousness.
• A controversial line (around line 80) involving "three days" and a command or sign from Gabriel.

Israel Knohl's Interpretation (as discussed in the video)Prof. Israel Knohl (the scholar featured in the YouTube video you linked) argues that this text shows the concept of a suffering messiah from the tribe of Joseph/Ephraim existed in Judaism before Christianity. Specifically:

• He connects it to Messiah ben Joseph — a figure who fights, is killed in battle (or by evil forces), and whose death plays a role in redemption, paving the way for the triumphant Messiah ben David.
• Knohl's famous (and debated) reading of line 80 is something like: "In three days, live, I Gabriel command you" — interpreting it as an angelic command for a slain messianic figure to rise or live again after three days.
• This would link to resurrection motifs and the idea of a dying messiah who atones or prepares for final salvation.
• Knohl sees references to Ephraim and David as pointing to two messianic figures: one suffering (ben Joseph/Ephraim) and one victorious (ben David), supporting the dual-messiah tradition we discussed earlier.
• He suggests this predates Jesus and influenced early Jewish messianic expectations, not the other way around.

Scholarly Debate and Consensus

• Not everyone agrees with Knohl's reading of the key "three days" line. The tablet is damaged in places, and alternative translations include:
  • "In three days, the sign..."
  • "By three days, the sign. I am Gabriel..."
  • Or even "On the third day: the sign! I am Gabriel, king of the angels."
• Many scholars now lean toward a less dramatic interpretation — no explicit "resurrection command" — though the text still shows apocalyptic hopes involving a slain or suffering leader.
• Even so, it remains important evidence for pre-Christian Jewish ideas of a messiah who dies violently (tied to Ephraim/Joseph) as part of the end-times drama.

Why It Matters for the "Two (or Three) Messiahs" DiscussionIt strengthens the case that the idea of Messiah ben Yosef / ben Ephraim as a warrior who dies in the messianic wars (like against Gog and Magog) wasn't a later rabbinic invention. It has roots in Second Temple Judaism (pre-70 CE). The tablet mentions Ephraim in a context that parallels "servant David," hinting at dual messianic roles — one preparatory/suffering, one final/kingly.You can find full English translations and discussions in sources like:

• Ada Yardeni's original publication in Biblical Archaeology Review (first English version).
• Israel Knohl's articles and book Messiahs and Resurrection in the Gabriel Revelation.
• The free eBook from Biblical Archaeology Society (includes translations and analysis).

This artifact is a fascinating "missing link" showing how ancient Jews grappled with prophecies of both a suffering figure and a triumphant king — ideas that later crystallized in the Talmud as Messiah ben Yosef and ben David. If you'd like a more detailed breakdown of specific lines or where to read the full text, just let me know!