Isaiah 7:14; “A Controversial Question”
[A normal (natural) birth; or a Divine event]
(J.K. Johnson, Scattered Seed Ministries)
There has been much contestable debate concerning the “Child” in this verse:
Isaiah 7:14-16
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings. KJV
The Child (Immanuel) is generally understood (Namely in the Christian Community, especially among Evangelicals) to be a Prophecy pointing to the future and about none other than the Messiah (Christ), Yeshua (Jesus); however, among the anti-missionary types, the “Child” is said to be “not a Divine God Man,” but simply a son born to a woman… and not a Messianic Prophecy. This is no small contention and is a major obstacle between the Jewish Community and Christians. One of the best commentary writings that I have seen, with specific scriptural reference to this matter, comes from Spiros Zodhiates’ commentary in his “The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible.” Copyright 1984 and 1991 (AMG International, Inc; D/B/A AMG Publishers). For the readers benefit, I am including the entire text from Zodhiates’ scholarly insight, and I hope you will avail yourself of this study because; increasingly, demonic powers boldly rage in the age in which we live, and they are becoming much more aggressive in both the blatant assault on the Deity of Yeshua (Jesus), and their relentless attempts to distort the truth of the Holy Scriptures. Further, to exacerbate the problem, the average person in our age is growing more downright ignorant of Biblical facts each day. This is mainly a result of people not reading their Bibles and studying the historical and educational records broadly available. And unfortunately, the normal Church of 2007 has its own doctrine and agenda, and Bible truth is not their mainline interest; it is considered to controversial for modern “seeker” types that you don’t want to offend. Truth, you say, yes, it is the MAIN and ONLY issue; you shall have to search for truth on you own, with the ever present help and faithful ministry of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Truth, who will NEVER contradict the Torah). The other dangerous purveyors of false doctrine one must guard against is those who seek the following of others to satisfy their own need for “leadership” attention. They are, unfortunately, not few in numbers.
Spiros Zodhiates’ commentary is as follows:
“The famous prophecy of Christ’s virgin birth is contained
in this verse. The events of chapter seven occurred about 734 B.C. Isaiah was
sent to King Ahaz with a reassuring word (Is.7:4-9), but Isaiah’s word also
challenged him to exercise faith in God during this crisis (cf. Hezekiah’s response
in Is. 36-38). The Lord generously offered to grant a sign to Ahaz to bolster
his faith (Is. 7:11). However in this crisis, Ahaz was not trusting in God, but
in his alliance with
Few passages have provoked such controversy as this verse, even among those who hold to a conservative viewpoint. Recent studies have a uniform tendency to downplay the miraculous aspects, and rationalize that this verse is a prophecy that some young woman would shortly bear a child in the normal way, and the brief time of his youth would see the downfall of those countries now threatening Judah and King Ahaz. It is believed that these approaches do not do justice to the text, and some reasons are summarized below.
(1) The meaning of the Hebrew word ‘almah (5959). It has become commonplace to suggest that ‘almah does not mean virgin, and that in fact, had Isaiah meant “virgin” he would have used the Hebrew word bethulah (1330). The facts of language are otherwise. ‘Almah is the clearest word Isaiah could have chosen to convey the idea of virginity. There is no appearance of ‘almah in the OT where the meaning “virgin” cannot be used. Bethulah, on the other hand, often needs qualification to clarify whether or not “virgin” is intended (e.g. Gen. 24:16, where Rebekah is described as “virgin [bethulah], neither had any man known her.” Note that ‘almah, which occurs later in the same context [Gen. 24:43], needs no such qualification. The qualification is doubtless needed because bethulah, unlike ‘almah, can sometimes refer to a married woman [Deut. 22:24; Joel 1:8].)
It is evident that ‘alman ought indeed to be translated “virgin’ on the basis of the Hebrew usage. But this is not the extent of the argument. The Greeks, who translated the OT into their language hundreds of years before Christ, had no question; they translated Isaiah 7:14, in the Sept., with the Greek word parthenos, the word for “virgin.” Finally, the Holy Spirit affirmed this as the meaning when He guided Matthew to use parthenos when quoting Isaiah 7:14 in Matthew 1:23.
(2) The
meaning of the word ‘oth (224),
“sign.” Those who suggest that the birth mentioned in Isaiah 7:14 would be a
normal birth contradict the significance of ‘oth.
This word never refers to ordinary events, but always to special or distinctive
actions or things. With reference to God, it is commonly translated as, or
understood to refer to, “miracle.” This is particularly true of its uses in
Isaiah, which, aside from this context, are concentrated with reference to
God’s miraculous sign of the sundial (chaps. 37; 38), and with God’s miraculous
millennial dealings with Israel (chaps. 55; 56). Therefore, the “sign” would
need to be something extraordinary, not merely the normal birth of a male child
who would live to see the downfall of
(3) The Specific references of the prophecy. One must note that after Ahaz refuses a sign, God does not address him again. Verse fourteen is addressed to the whole “house of David.” This immediately takes us beyond a rigid focus on the current scene. Moreover, the language of the announcement “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bring forth…” is reminiscent of pagan phraseology used to announce the birth of “gods.” It is not suggested that Isaiah is likening Christ’s birth to that of some pagan idol, merely that the idol-worshiping Ahaz would recognize the significance of the prophecy. Note also that both “virgin” in verse fourteen and “child” in verse sixteen have the definite article. It is agreed that these are articles of general reference, and that “a virgin” is the proper translation in verse fourteen. But note what happens if we translate “a child” in verse sixteen. That prophetic verse makes excellent sense on its own as a statement about the length of the crisis, with no reference to verse fourteen, while a completely different Hebrew word, na’ar (5288), meaning “young man,” appears in verse sixteen.
(4) The
child born. The name “Immanuel,” or “God with us.” He cannot be just any child
for in Isaiah 8:8 (and probably 8:10), “Immanuel” is presented as the true
owner of the land (cf. the implications of Lev. 25:23), and the one who will
vanquish
(5) The nature of messianic prophecy. Throughout the OT, passages of messianic importance are presented without chronological separation or distinction. Peter explicitly states that the prophets were ignorant regarding when the messianic prophecies would be fulfilled (1 Pet. 1:10-12). It was indeed this prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 itself which was to be a sign. Its mysterious reference to a virgin birth would remain (as it did) to challenge students of God’s word until the proper time came for it to be fulfilled.”
This soundly researched [“Bible” interpretation of the “Bible”] is the safest form of research. Contrary “conjecture” and “opinion” teaching fall very short and are reduced to mere fabrications of men’s teachings when laid alongside commentary like Spiros Zodhiates has eloquently presented in this foregoing treatise; which, no doubt was also the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Now what else does this mean to those who are deeply concerned about the handling of Biblical truth? First, truth IS the central issue. It is under enormous assault as mentioned in the beginning of this article. The Scripture clearly warn the believers in Yeshua, who believe Him to be in fact and in truth the “God man,” or “Word that became flesh,” (John 1:14); that they should have no part with those who deny the Deity of Yeshua/Messiah. Note these “explicit” warnings to the body of Messiah:
1 John 4:1-6
4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. KJV
AND
2 John 7-11
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. KJV
There are more scriptures that warn us of false teachers:
2 Peter 2:1-3
2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. KJV
The Bible is a book of truth, and truth is not hard to find it you search for it in the Scriptures. The anti-missionary types and twisted thinking arguments they employ are to be avoided with all diligence. Such people are not to be welcomed into your homes or fellowship groups. The Bible clearly warns believes to have no part with their evil ways. Pray for them, but do not entertain their beguiled thinking. Some of them may sincerely believe they are right, but tragically, that does not save them from their destructive pathways. Pray that Yahweh deliver them from the adversary before it is too late for their salvation.
For more Messianic teachings and articles go to the “Scattered Seed Ministries” website at: