What is a…
mediator

This is one who intervenes between two persons who are at variance, with the hope of reconciling them.

This word is not found in the Old Testament; but the idea it expresses is found in the book of Job.

There is no adjudicator between us,
Who may lay his hand upon us both. —Job 9:33 NASB (“daysman” in KJV)

Mediator, daysman with two men in dispute. Author: Paul S. Taylor.

New Testament

This word is used in the New Testament to denote simply an ambassador, one who acts as a medium of communication between two contracting parties.

In this sense Moses is referred to as a mediator in Galatians 3:19, in the sense that he was used by God to present His laws to the children of Israel for the purpose of ultimately bringing man together with God.

Q & A

Who is the mediator between God and mankind?

Christ is the one and only mediator between God and man (Hebrews 12:24).

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus —1 Timothy 2:5

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.
…And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the trespasses that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. —Hebrews 8:6; 9:15

He makes reconciliation between God and man by his all-perfect atoning sacrifice. Such a mediator must be at once divine and human, divine, that his obedience and his sufferings might possess infinite worth, and that he might possess infinite wisdom and knowlege and power to direct all things in the kingdoms of providence and grace which are committed to his hands (Matthew 28:18; John 5:22, 25-27); and human, that in his work he might represent man, and be capable of rendering obedience to the law and satisfying the claims of justice (Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:15-16), and that in his glorified humanity he might be the head of a glorified Church (Romans 8:29).

This office involves the three functions of prophet, priest, and king, all of which are discharged by Christ both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation. These functions are so inherent in the one office that the quality appertaining to each gives character to every mediatorial act. They are never separated in the exercise of the office of mediator.

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Article Version: March 19, 2026