Book of Isaiah - Chapter 7 - Verse 14
Meaning
The verse 'Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel' from the book of Isaiah is a prophetic announcement regarding the birth of Jesus Christ. This verse is often seen as a foreshadowing of the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary as recounted in the New Testament. The name 'Immanuel' means 'God with us,' signifying the divine nature of Jesus as the Son of God who came to earth to be among humanity. This verse serves as a pivotal moment in the fulfillment of God's promise to send a Messiah to redeem and save mankind. The prophecy of a virgin giving birth to a son is a testament to the power and sovereignty of God, demonstrating His ability to bring about the impossible and fulfill His divine plan for salvation.
Theological Overview
This verse from the book of Isaiah has been a subject of theological interpretation and word study for centuries. The word "virgin" in Hebrew is translated from the term "almah," which some scholars argue could also mean a young woman of marriageable age, rather than specifically a virgin. However, the Greek translation of this verse in the New Testament uses the word "parthenos," which explicitly means virgin. This discrepancy in translation has sparked debates among theologians about the exact nature of the sign prophesied by Isaiah. Additionally, the name "Immanuel" means "God is with us," signifying the divine presence among humanity through the birth of a child. This verse is often seen as a foreshadowing of the birth of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, as Christians believe that Jesus fulfills the prophecy of a virgin birth and embodies the presence of God among mankind. The intertwining of Old Testament prophecy with the fulfillment in the New Testament is a key element of Christian theological interpretation and understanding of this verse.