The name Immanuel comes from the Hebrew word עִמָּנוּאֵל (‘Immanu’el), which means “God with us.” Immanuel is a combination of עִם (‘im), which means “with,” and אֵל (‘el), one of the most common words for “God.” In the Greek Septuagint, Immanuel is spelled with an “E” (Ἐμμανουήλ). Consequently, the name is occasionally written as “Emmanuel” in some English translations.
In the Bible, “Immanuel” is used once or twice in the Old Testament as a person’s given name and another time in the New Testament as a prophetic description of Jesus. When it’s not describing a person, the word is also used as a statement of fact. Isaiah 8:10 is an excellent example of this.
Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us (עִמָּ֖נוּ אֵֽל / ‘Immanu’el).
Isaiah 8:10
Immanuel in Isaiah 7
The first time the term appears in name form is in the seventh chapter of Isaiah. In the story, the king of Israel and the king of Aram form an alliance against Ahaz, the king of Juda. Ahaz hears about the coalition and is frightened. Knowing this, God gives him a message of reassurance and offers to show a sign. However, based on passages from 2 kings, Ahaz seems to have already decided to seek help from Tiglath-Pileser, the king of Assyria, instead of God (2 Kings 16:7-9, 2 Kings 16:10-18). Having already decided to look for help elsewhere, the king refuses to ask for a sign under the pretense of piety.
“But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”
“Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:12-14
Interpretations
In the Gospels, Matthew makes a very strong claim that the prophecy is about Christ. However, the context of Isaiah 7 suggests it could have also been about a contemporary of Isaiah. Verses 15-16 say Ahaz’s enemies will be destroyed before the child “Immanuel” knows right from wrong. This suggests the promised child was born shortly after the prophecy. Consequently, many argue Isaiah 7:12-14 is a “multiple fulfillment” prophecy.
The context of 15-16 combined with the blunt language of Matthew 1:22-23 makes this interpretation seem the most likely. As Carson and Beale put it.
“only a handful of very conservative scholars insist on seeing solely a messianic prophecy here, most recognize that there is at least a provisional fulfillment in Isaiah’s day, given the explicit statements of 7:15–16”
Carson & Beale, 5
Who Was The Imanuel of Ahaz’s Day
Because the text does not specifically identify someone as the first Immanuel (assuming he existed), there is a lot of debate surrounding who it could have been. Here is a quick list of the most popular opinions.
- Immanuel is the King Hezekiah.
- Immanuel is Isaiah’s son, Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.
- Immanuel is a child known by the king and Isaih but not mentioned in the text.
- Immanuel was a child not known by the king or Isaiah, so he was not mentioned in the text.
Immanuel in Isaiah 8:8
Isaiah 8:8 is a continuation of Isaiah 7. In the text, God is still trying to persuade the Ahaz not to ally himself with the king of Assyria. However, unlike Chapter 7, God does not reassure the wicked king. On the contrary, he paints a vivid picture of the consequences the wrong choice will bring.
Therefore, the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria with all his pomp. It will overflow all its channels, run over all its banks and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it, passing through it, and reaching up to the neck. Its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, Immanuel!”
Isaiah 8:7-8
There are a few different views regarding the identity of the Immanuel in chapter 8. Some argue that he is the future Messiah, others suggest he is the same “Immanuel” from Chapter 7, and still others claim the text is referring to the land of Juda, not a person.
Immanuel in Matthew 1:22-23
Unlike Isaiah, the Gospel writer bluntly connects Jesus to the prophecy.
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”
Matthew 1:22-23
The connection between Jesus and Isaiah’s prophecy confronts us with some very interesting Theological implications. For example, as the fulfillment of the prophecy, Jesus symbolizes the same hope of salvation represented by the possible child of Ahaz’s day. His birth is a sign of God’s watchful care. However, unlike the first Immanuel, Jesus isn’t simply the sign of the promise; he’s it actualized. In other words, Matthew is telling his readers that we can have hope God will be with us because God is here.
