Immanuel - God With Us
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
“A sign was given to the house of David. A virgin (almah) would conceive and bear a son. The word almah is never used of a married woman. Strictly speaking the word means a young woman of marriageable age. Logic demands one of two options. The almah must be either (1) an unmarried immoral woman; or (2) a virgin. The birth of a child by an unmarried woman is so common it could not be a ‘sign.’ For this reason the Greek translators, long before the time of Christ, correctly determined that only the word parthenos (virgin) was a suitable translation for almah in this context…The traditional view of the church is that the almah here is the virgin Mary. The Apostle Matthew saw in this verse a direct prediction of the birth of Jesus (Matt 1:22-23).” [1]
Matthew confirms the prophesy is of our Lord. And, as Isaiah later clarifies:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
“Isaiah says that the child ‘will be born to us.’ With that phrase, he affirms the humanity of Jesus. But he says more than just that—he also writes, ‘a son will be given to us.’ The addition of the second phrase clarifies the first. Jesus was born of a woman — He was born to us, but His birth was of divine origin — He was given to us. [2]
References
1. Smith, James E. Old Testament Survey Series: The Major Prophets
2. Wilson, Jim L Fresh Start Devotionals
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