His Name Shall Be Called “Immanuel”?

The prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 foretold that the name of the virgin-born son would be called “Immanuel.” However, no one in the biblical record is so designated. The one born to the virgin in the New Testament, in fulfillment of this prophecy, is named “Jesus” (Matt. 1:21, 25; Luke 1:31).  

Biblical usage of the word “name” goes well beyond a mere identifying moniker. It can also represent the individual himself (Matt. 6:9) or stand for one’s authority (Matt. 7:22; 10:22; 18:5, 20), or character (Matt. 10:41, 42), or reputation (Luke 6:22; Rev. 3:1). The Hebrew “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us” (cf. Isa. 8:8, 10), conveys the sense of comfort and assurance that inevitably accompanies divine presence.¹ 

Jesus is in fact recognized as God dwelling among humans (John 1:1, 14; 20:28). Isaiah had also stated, “his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6).² These are not proper names but descriptive expressions.

Matthew’s Gospel, the only one to cite Isaiah 7:14, is framed on both ends with Jesus representing divine presence (1:23; 28:20). Jesus implicitly identifies himself as “Immanuel” in his words, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:

     ¹ Gen. 21:20, 22; 26:3, 24, 28; 28:15, 20; 31:3, 5, 42; 35:3; 39:2, 3, 21-23; 46:4; 48:21; Ex. 3:12; Deut. 20:1; Psa. 23:4; et al.

     ² English Standard Version.

Related Posts: Isaiah 7:14

Image credit: 17th-century painting by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato, <https://www.facebook.com/MazzoliniArtcraft/photos/a.564866266876991/3884969088200009/>.