Posted on by 1111Zion1111

Scriptural Case – Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah 41:21 “Present your plea,” says the Lord; “present your strong points,” says the King of Jacob.

Scriptural Case – Is Isaiah 7:14 depicting the future virgin birth of Jesus Christ in the New Testament? Or the birth of Isaiah’s son Maherhalalhashbaz?

Isaiah 7:14 (JPS Tanakh) Therefore, the Lord, of His own, shall give you a sign; behold, the young woman is with child, and she shall bear a son, and she shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

  1. The Hebrew word for “virgin” also can mean “young woman.”
  2. Even if the word “virgin,” is proper, the verse doesn’t apply to the Messiah. The Messiah is referenced in Isaiah 11 as coming from the genealogy of Jesse and that requires a mother and father.
  3. If the word “young woman,” is the proper translation, it’s discussing the “Prophetess” in the very next chapter.
    • Isaiah 8:1 (JPS Tankah) And the Lord said to me, “Take for yourself a large scroll, and write on it in common script, to hasten loot, speed the spoils.
      2 And I will call to testify for Myself trustworthy witnesses, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.”
      3 And I was intimate with the prophetess, and she conceived, and she bore a son, and the Lord said to me, “Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz.

4.  The use of the term “Immanuel” in Isaiah 7:14 is also noted in Isaiah 8:8, describing the prophetic meaning behind Mahershalalhashbaz’s name.

    • Isaiah 8:8 (JPS Tankah) And it will penetrate into Judah, overflowing as it passes through, up to the neck it will reach; and the tips of his wings will fill the breadth of your land, Immanuel.

5. The “sign” in Isaiah 7:14 isn’t the “virgin birth.” Isaiah 8:18 informs us the “sign” is Isaiah and his sons.

    • Isaiah 8:18 (JPS Tanakh) Behold, I and the children whom the Lord gave me for signs and for tokens in Israel, from the Lord of Hosts, Who dwells on Mount Zion.

6. Based on the scriptural case above, do you believe beyond a reasonable doubt that Isaiah 7:14 is describing Jesus Christ in the New Testament?

7. Do you believe beyond a reasonable doubt that Isaiah 7:14 is describing the birth of Mahershalalhashbaz in the very next chapter?

I welcome your feedback and comments.