Isaiah 7:14
What does Isaiah 7:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 7:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 7:14 means
Isaiah 7:14 is a foundational prophetic verse, declaring a divine sign to Judah through a miraculous birth. The "virgin" (Hebrew: almah, meaning young woman of marriageable age, often implies virginity) conceiving and bearing a son, Immanuel ("God with us"), points to an extraordinary intervention by God. This prophecy foretells the coming of a unique individual whose very name encapsulates God's presence and saving activity among His people. The virgin birth highlights a supernatural origin, while the name Immanuel signifies God’s personal involvement and commitment to humanity, ultimately finding its fullest embodiment in Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this cause the Lord himself will give you a sign; a young woman is now with child, and she will give birth to a son, and she will give him the name Immanuel.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Therefore the Lord Himself giveth to you a sign, Lo, the Virgin is conceiving, And is bringing forth a son, And hath called his name Immanuel,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and his name shall be called Emmanuel.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore will the Lord himself give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and shall bring forth a son, and call his name Immanuel.
Context
This verse serves as a pivotal moment within Isaiah chapter 7. King Ahaz of Judah is in a state of fear and unbelief, facing threats from the combined forces of Aram and Israel. God, through the prophet Isaiah, offers Ahaz a sign to reassure him of divine protection and deliverance. Ahaz, in false humility, refuses to ask for a sign. In response, God declares He will provide His own sign: the virgin birth of Immanuel. This prophecy immediately follows God's challenge to Ahaz and precedes further details about the short-term implications for the immediate geopolitics, establishing a long-term messianic hope amidst present crisis.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- Genesis 30:6
And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.
- 1 Samuel 1:20
and it came to pass, when the time was come about, that Hannah conceived, and bare a son; and she called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of Jehovah.
- Isaiah 8:8
and it shall sweep onward into Judah; it shall overflow and pass through; it shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of its wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
- John 1:14
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.
- Jeremiah 31:22
How long wilt thou go hither and thither, O thou backsliding daughter? for Jehovah hath created a new thing in the earth: A woman shall encompass a man.
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