The Problem of the Identity of Immanuel in Isaiah - Essay Example

The Problem of the Identity of Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14 Table of Contents Introduction 2 2.Perspectives on the Identity of Immanuel 4 The Identity of the Woman 4 The Meaning of Almah 5 The Views of Single-Fulfillment and Double-Fulfillment 6 3.Conclusion 7 1. Introduction This paper aims to explore the problem of the identity of Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14 by the analysis of major perspectives regarding the notion. Historical background and interpretations into the concept are assessed; furthermore, the meaning of almah in 7:14 is also discussed. In a broader scope the paper also examines the details of Isaiah 7-9 and addresses the use of Isaiah in Matthew’s fulfillment passages. An abundance of literature has been penned down regarding the identity of Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14, these competing commentaries assert that the identification of Immanuel narrated in the Book of Isaiah states the birth of a child who would save Ahaz of Judah from his enemies and protect him from imminent danger. Other writers in their interpretations of Isaiah 7:14 have aimed to establish an association of the incident with the birth of Jesus, while, referring to the significance of almah which is a word of Hebrew origin, the meaning of which has been identified as virgin. According to Grisham, the varying assumptions regarding the identity of Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14 have extended to the belief which postulates that he is Jesus himself, while, some consider him to be the child of Isaiah and the king of Judah thus, in their construal of the Book of Isaiah interpreters have vowed to prefer either a single fulfillment or double fulfillment.1 For the purposes of the succeeding sections of the paper the major views on the identity of Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14 would be assessed in a comprehensive manner. 2. Perspectives on the Identity of Immanuel The Identity of the Woman Grisham observes that one of the interpretations regarding the identity of Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14 label the child to be that of Isaiah’s2, in his perspective on the identity of the woman and child, Walton notes that in accordance with the teachings of the gospel and that of Christian religion regarding the woman in Isaiah 7:14, much of the assertions point towards the declaration that she is Isaiah’s wife3 however, these postulations can be nullified on the basis of various arguments. Walton claims his translations of the scripture to be highly credible and reliable. The first argument which nullifies the identity of Immanuel as the child of Isaiah comes from the comparison of 7:14 and 8:3, where in the former the woman is indeed pregnant but in 8:3 the wife of Isaiah has not yet conceived a child.4 Day asserts that in accordance with the Book of Isaiah 8:18, Immanuel’s identity as the son of the prophet can be comprehended as the chapters reflect the birth of three children one of which is Immanuel.5 The Meaning of Almah Hindson argues that it is imperative to the discussion revolving around the identity of the woman and the child that the true meaning of the verbal components of the scripture be understood and verified to assist further interpretations that are also concrete in nature. In doing so the author makes distinction between the verbal components of harah and almah and declares that significant deliberations such as time must be taken into consideration with regards to uncovering the true meaning of almah. Thus, if the meaning of the word almah is virgin and the woman is already pregnant then this interpretation entails that the child is born without a father, thereby, pointing towards Virgin Mary and the birth of Jesus Christ.6 In Hebrew, the term harah refers to a woman who is already pregnant while, almah refers to a woman who is a virgin. Hindson concludes that if the intention of the verse was to insinuate otherwise the appropriate term to describe a woman who lost her virginity after marriage and then bore a child would be ishah rather the word almah, therefore, the usage of almah essentially asserts that the woman has retained her status as a virgin even after the conception of a child and is therefore no one else but Virgin Mary.7 The Views of Single-Fulfillment and Double-Fulfillment Grisham claims that as one of the major views on the identity of Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14, the single-fulfillment view asserts that in his declaration of prophecy Isaiah essentially aims to refer towards Christ, however, this approach towards the interpretation of Isaiah 7:14 does not take into account the relationship of this claim to Ahaz of Judah.8 The second argument against the notion advanced by the view of single-fulfillment refers to the grammatical considerations involving the language used in the scripture, in which Grisham opposes Hindson’s interpretation of the contextual meaning of the word almah by stating that as per the translation of the scripture the woman’s pregnancy is in fact occurring in the present time and therefore, cannot be attributed to the future birth of Christ.9 These competing interpretations of Isaiah 7:14 and the meaning of the word almah, present contrasting perspectives and approaches in uncovering the identity of Immanuel. Grisham observes that the emergence of other interpretations into the identity of Immanuel such as the declaration of the child being the king of Hezekiah have been able to invalidate the problem associated with the term almah and its literal and contextual meaning in defining the identity of Immanuel however, assessments into this view have been able to conclude that its limitations render it incapable of explaining the child’s identity.10 It is the double-fulfillment view which is based on understanding presented by the Gospel of Matthew and takes into account Christological perspective to arrive at probable conclusions with regards to the identity of Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14. The double-fulfillment view postulates that it is a plausible assertion to make, with regards to the meaning of the word almah that the term does not exclusively refer to the state of virginity in the context that it has been applied to in the verse. Furthermore, the perspective aims to direct interpreters towards understanding the significance of Immanuel’s birth. 3. Conclusion According to Grisham, the conclusions derived from the evaluations of the major views on Immanuel’s identity in Isaiah 7:14 necessarily reflect the birth of Christ.11 Hindson remarks that the meaning of the child’s name – “God with us” is a significant sign in understanding the identity of Immanuel.12 For religious scholars and commentators the identity of Immanuel lies in understanding the hope and eternity that the child was to bring to the Davidic line by protecting the governance of Ahaz and eliminating the impending doom on his land. In messianic traditions the birth of the child relates to the birth of Christ, according to Hindson this assertion is fortified by assessing the conviction with which Isaiah delivered the prophecy of Immanuel’s birth.13 Furthermore, the problems associated with the identity of Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14 are also eliminated by Gospel of Matthew 1:23; “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” In summation the interpretation of the word almah and the regularity of messianic prophecies in Isaiah present a credible interpretation of the identity of Immanuel. Bibliography Grisham, Jules. "A Royal Garment for the Greater-One-than-David: An Exegetical Analysis of Isaiah 7: 14." (2002). Day, John. Prophecy and the Prophets in Ancient Israel: Proceedings of the Oxford Old Testament Seminar. Vol. 531. Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2010. Walton, John H. "Isa 7: 14: What’s in a Name?." JETS 30 (1987): 289-306. Hindson, Edward E. “Isaiah’s Immanuel”. Grace Journal 10.3 (1969): 3-15 Read More