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The 'Immanuel' Prophecy in the Book of Isaiah The 'Immanuel' prophecy given in the book of Isaiah can be interpreted from two points of view: from the book of Isaiah itself or from the New Testament interpretation of the prophecy. It is not that one interpretation is closer to the truth than the other that bears significance, but rather what matters really is the name, "Emmanuel", and its accompanying meaning. This name is given as a prophetic sign that God shall always abide with His People even "to the close of the age". In the gospel of Matthew [1:23], the prophet Isaiah is quoted with the following verse: 'Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him, Emmanuel', which means, 'God is with us'. [NRSV translation] When we then review how this quote is actually phrased in the book of Isaiah [7:14], the text reads as: Look, the young woman (in Greek, 'virgin') is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel'. [NRSV translation] A great deal of interest has centered in this Immanuel prophecy of Isaiah 7:14. During the New Testament times, when Christian communities and gospel redactors were interpreting New Testament writings from the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, this prophecy from Isaiah was believed to be fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ - to whom was given the name meaning "God is with us". With this faith affirmation, scholars also add to that passage the appeal to the truth of the virgin birth of Christ (Mt 1:23). Since it is commonly understood that this prophecy of Isaiah was referring to Jesus, many still have to know that there is a meaning that is also derived from understanding the prophecy from the context of the book of Isaiah itself. Those who studied the book of the prophet Isaiah suggest that the woman referred to in Isaiah 7:14 was actually the queen of King Ahaz, and that the child referred to was really Hezekiah, Ahaz's son and successor. Whether or not this is true, what is certain is that Isaiah was referring to a son of the house of David and that this wonder child will sit upon the throne of David. We have thus two points of view in interpreting this Immanuel prophecy of Isaiah. There is an interpretation of it from the historical context itself of the book of Isaiah; and there is an interpretation of it from the context of its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. Whatever the truth of the interpretation maybe, what is really important is the name, "Immanuel". The prophetic sign Isaiah offers to God's people is the sign of God's very presence with His People. Going into greater detail in how this prophecy relates to its being a fulfillment in the person of Christ Jesus, we can also learn much from scripture scholar Herman Hendrickx how the very meaning of "Emmanuel" and "I am with you always" is an inclusion for the structure of the gospel of Matthew. Biblical scholar Herman Hendrickx said that the gospel phrase "I am with you always" [found at the end of the gospel in Mt 28:20] is a conscious reference to Mt 1:23 [found at the beginning of the gospel] - "and his name shall be called Emmanuel (which means, God with us). He calls this structuring within the gospel of Matthew an "inclusion" - meaning it "frames" the gospel by its being placed in the beginning [Mt 1:23] and in the end [Mt 28:20]. Aside from referring to this structure of inclusion for the "Emmanuel" phrase in the gospel, Herman Hendrickx also informs that many scholars generally agree that the clause, "I am with you always" is also a covenant formula that should be noted with significance. This covenant formula refers to how God had always been with His People: beginning from His covenant promise with them at Mount Zion, up to His gift of His Risen Son Jesus, who also promises His abiding presence to all His followers "to the close of the age" [Mt 28:20]. Related books and references:
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