a fully human figure, born of human parents although divinely anointed to be king. Nevertheless, in apocalyptic circles he can be assigned additional exalted features such as his presence before God in heaven prior to appearing on earth (1 Enoch, 4 Ezra, Sibylline Oracles 5, 11QMelch). Neither a virginal conception nor a birth in Bethlehem are normally anticipated, as we saw in Chapter One. A multitude of different titles was used for the Messiah, reflecting different emphases in the various traditions: