“Behold the almah shall conceive and bare a son and shall call his name Immanuel. This means that our Creator shall be with us. And this is the sign: the one who will conceive is a girl (na’arah), who never in her life has had intercourse with any man. Upon this one shall the Holy Spirit have power.” –Rashi, Mikraot Gedolot on Isaiah 7:14
Introduction:
Pursuant to Isaiah’s throne room/Temple vision of Adonai (Isaiah 6: approx. 740 BCE/BC), and the promise of a perpetual remnant in the land of Israel; the hope of the people is to rest in the “Holy Seed” both plural (Ethno-religious Israel) and singular (the Messiah Gen. 3:15).
Isaiah 6:13 speaks of “a perpetual tenth (remnant) ve-shava (returning)”: this having been prophesied several years prior to the present account, during the reign of Yotam (750-735 BCE/BC). Now, in anticipation of the attack from Rezin and Pekah, Isaiah is instructed by HaShem (YHVH) to go to Achaz (who reigned from 735 to 719 BCE/BC) the son of Yotam. Isaiah is instructed to take his son She’ar (remnant)-yashuv (return) along with him. Thus the hope of Judah is given a living sign and advocate in the son of Isaiah “She’ar-yashuv”, named for the perpetual promise of Hashem concerning ethno-religious Israel, “A remnant will return”.
I have coined the term “ethno-religious Israel” to refute the satanic lie that says the Christian Church has superseded or replaced Israel. According to Scripture (Tanakh, Brit Ha-Chadashah) Israel was, is and will always be a uniquely chosen ethnic and religious people with whom God has made unbreakable eternal promises (covenants). When spiritual blinded Christian scholars claim that the Church is either a progressive form of (so called) spiritual Israel, or that the Church supersedes or has replaced ethnic/religious Israel as God’s chosen people, they are inadvertently placing their own salvation at risk. For, if God (according to their claims) has reneged on His covenant promises to Israel (in particular the covenant made over the land while Avraham was sleeping, a covenant incumbent on God alone, which was subsequently passed on to Yitzchak and Yaakov), then He cannot be trusted to keep the covenant of redemption He has entered into through the blood of His Son Yeshua our King Messiah. Thus, the self-redundant logic of the supersessionist (progression) movement testifies against its adherents.
This chapter contains an important messianic prophecy (v.14) which is an essential part of the meta-narrative of Isaiah’s message. It is for this reason that aside from Isaiah 53, the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy is fiercely contested by those who have a polemic agenda: despite the fact that the text plainly supports the traditional explanation, they refuse to accept it. However, our ancient rabbis and more recently the medieval commentator Rav Rashi (1040-1105 CE/AD) firmly assert the Messianic understanding of Isaiah 7:14 and affirm the virgin birth.
ISAIAH 7:
Isa 7:1 And it came to pass in the days of Achaz (He has grasped) the son of Yotam (HaShem is perfect), the son of Uziyahu (My strength is HaShem), king of Yehudah (Praise), that Retzin (Firm) the king of Aram (Exalted), and Pekah (Opened) the son of Remalyahu (Protected by HaShem), king of Yisrael (Overcomes in God) went up toward Yerushalayim (Flood of Peace, Jerusalem) to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
Achaz the son of Yotam reigned from 735 to 719 BCE/BC. Achaz was 20 years old when he began to reign, and he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem: he was one of the wicked kings of Israel who did not walk in the ways of David (2 Kings 16:2-20). His idolatry and political decisions are the primary reasons for the eventual demise of both Ephraim and Judah. By inviting the king of Assyria to help him fight against Aram (Syria) and Samaria, he unwittingly paved the way for the Assyrian invasion of Israel and Judah. Achaz was well suited to play the role of Godless counterpoint to Isaiah.
Equally foolish and even more sinister was the decision of Pekah, king of Israel, to join with Retzin, king of Aram (Syria) in order to wipe out the Davidic dynasty and rule over all of Israel. Had Pekah succeeded, the line of the Messiah would have been cut off. For this reason it is easy to see retrospectively, why in spite of their idolatry and wickedness, God delivered Achaz and Judah from Pekah and Retzin.
Isa 7:2 And it was told the house of David (Beloved of God), saying, Aram (Exalted) rests upon Ephraim (Doubly fruitful). And his lev (Inner man, core being, heart) was shaken, and the lev (Inner person, core being, heart) of his people, as the trees of the forest are shaken in the faces of the spirit/wind (ruach).
The title House of David is used in part to emphasize the grave potential of the approaching army of Aram and Ephraim. Achaz was the king over the Davidic dynasty at the time and regardless of his wickedness, was the head of Judah. Thus he is called “House of David” along with his people (Judah). Achaz has every reason to tremble with fear at the approach of the two armies, who had only recently caused great devastation in Judah (2 Chronicles 28:5-8).
Notice that the lev (inner person) of both Achaz (singular) and his people (plural) are caused to tremble. There is a profound mystery resting in the knowledge that a people has a collective lev (core being, heart, inner person).
Isa 7:3 Then said HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) to Yishayahu (Salvation from HaShem: Isaiah), “Go forward now to meet Achaz (He has grasped), you, and She’ar-yashuv (remnant-returns) your son, at the end (extremity) of the te’alat water course (healing, new skin over broken skin) of Ha-bereichah pool (blessing) Ha-Elyona the elevated (or, of the High God) toward the highway (raised road) of the field of choveis one who washes by treading”;
In spite of the wickedness of Achaz, HaShem was still mindful of His promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), thus sending a message of reassurance to Achaz and Judah. The presence of She’ar-yashuv (Remnant returns) is both a confirmation of the certain demise of Judah and at the same time a sign of hope for Judah’s future redemption through the remnant and the Holy Seed.
It is likely that Achaz was at the end of the aqueduct checking on the city’s water supply in anticipation of the pending invasion. In order for a city to survive under siege it must have ample supply of both food and water.
A paraphrase using the alternate literal meanings of the ambiguous Hebrew terms te’alat, bereichah, and Elyona; offers a beautiful insight into the sod (mystery) of this text.
“Mercy said to Salvation is from God, ‘Both you and your son named Remnant Returns are to go to the one who grasps. Meet him at the extreme end of healing from blessing at the elevated place of the High God on the road to the one who washes by treading.’”
Mercy is the Father, Salvation from God is the Son, the Returning Remnant are those in ethnic (religious) Israel who return through the saving work of the Son to share the news of healing with those who like Jacob are still grasping at the heel. The workers of God, in the life of His Son will meet those who grasp and struggle with healing born of blessing on the Mount of God (Elevated Har Beit, Moriah) in Jerusalem: where they will be washed through a disciplining and treading out process unto redemption through the Son’s message and sacrificial covenant. All of this pertaining to ethno-religious Israel.
Isa 7:4 And say unto him, “Take heed, and be quiet; do not fear or be faint-hearted because of the two tails of these smoking firebrands, because of the fierce anger of Retzin (Firm) with Aram (Exalted), and of the son of Remalyahu (Protected by HaShem).
This message of comfort in the midst of turmoil is a mainstay in the ministry of Isaiah. Later in his ministry Isaiah brings a similar message from HaShem to King Hezekiah:
“In returning and rest you will be saved; in tranquillity and trust will be your strength…”
–Isaiah 30:15
However, like Achaz, Hezekiah chose to trust in the strength of human effort (horses going to war) rather than to place his trust in HaShem.
HaShem is gracious in His loving message of comfort to Achaz. He adds to His instruction an analogy alluding to the weakness and impotency of Judah’s enemies. A “smoking firebrand” is a firebrand that has lost its flame and is about to go out. An army attacking at night relies on the firebrand to light the way and secondarily, to burn down the enemy fortifications. God is saying to Achaz that Aram and Ephraim (10 tribes of the north) will stumble in the darkness for lack of light and lose their ability to make a breach in the walls of Jerusalem. All this is said to Achaz at the end of the water-course in a location where he can look out onto the lower land of approach to Jerusalem and see these very things for himself. God does not ask us to follow Him blindly, He knows we are weak minded and that we often require physical proofs of His promises. Thus, in love, He offers us a glimpse into His eternal purpose by providing us with physical signs. The giving of signs becomes a central theme of chapter 7 of Isaiah’s prophecy (v.14).
Isa 7:5 “Because Aram (Exalted), Ephraim (Doubly fruitful), and the son of Remalyahu (Protected by HaShem), have taken evil counsel against you, saying, Isa 7:6 “Let us go up against Yehudah (Praise), and cause dread, and let us make a breach there for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Taval (God is good)”:
This observation of both the motivation and intended physical actions of Judah’s enemies supports the understanding that Ephraim intended to usurp the throne of David (House of David). Thus, in a very real sense, Ephraim was, at this particular moment in history, being guided by a spirit of anti-Messiah. This explains why, in spite of the wickedness of Achaz, God was intent upon disestablishing Ephraim and defeating Aram (Syria).
Isa 7:7 Thus says Adonai (Lord) HaShem (YHVH: Mercy), “It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. Isa 7:8 For the head of Aram (Exalted) is Damesek (Silent sackcloth weaver), and the head of Damesek (Silent sackcloth weaver) is Retzin (Firm); and within sixty five years Ephraim (Doubly fruitful) will be broken, that it be not a people.
The title “Adonai HaShem” denotes absolute sovereignty over all things. Not only will the plans of Ephraim and Aram come to nothing, HaShem will also set in motion the breaking and exile of the tribes under Ephraim. The prophecy of 65 years was literally fulfilled as follows:
The remez (hint) in the names of those coming against Judah reveals their fate. Aram, has “Exalted” itself (Pride) and as a result will receive “Sackcloth”, death and mourning (Damesek): and the head of authority of this outcome is “Firm” (Retzin) that is, “Firmly established”. Sixty five years after these things have come to pass the one who has been “Doubly fruitful” (Ephraim), will be disestablished, broken, taken away, and will no longer be a people. This means that Ephraim and the tribes of the north will lose their separate title at the time they go into exile. However, when they return from exile they will be united to Israel under the tribe of Israel’s king Messiah, Judah. Thus all the tribes of Israel became known as Yehudiym (Jews) following their return from the Babylonian exile. Therefore, the tribes were not “Lost” as some claim, but unified under Judah.
Isa 7:9 And the head of Ephraim (Doubly fruitful) is Shomeron (Watch mountain), and the head of Shomeron (Watch mountain) is Remalyahu’s (Protected by HaShem) son. Im lo taaminu lo teamenu If you will not believe, surely you will not be established.
As previously alluded to, Ephraim’s disestablishment has purpose in God’s redemptive plan for Israel. Her dispersion is not the end but a pretext to her new beginning. Thus the text explains that the head of Ephraim is the “Watch Mountain”, which is symbolic of the mountains of Samaria looking for Ephraim’s return. Further still, the head of the watch mountain is the Son born of the “Protection of Hashem”, that is Judah.
Thus the challenge is issued, “If you will not believe, surely you will not be established”. The Hebrew text reads, “Im lo taaminu lo teamenu”. This is a play on the root aman (support, be faithful), which is related to the Hebrew emuna (trust, faith, belief). In a more literal sense the phrase says, “If you don’t support you will not be supported” or “If you aren’t faithful you will not receive faithfulness”.
In the plain (p’shat) sense this means, “If you don’t believe that I am able to defeat your enemies you will not be established”. If Achaz has no faith in God he will inevitably fail to continue his reign over Judah. However, through the remez (hint) we see a deeper meaning. Those in Judah who don’t believe in her redemption through God’s Messiah, will fail to receive His protection and restoration: not because He has not offered it to them but because they have refused it. On the other hand, those who receive Messiah through belief and trust will be established.
ASK FOR A SIGN, MIRACLE, REMEMBRANCE, AND BANNER:
Isa 7:10 Adding, HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) spoke to Achaz (He has grasped), saying, Isa 7:11 “Ask you for a Ot sign (signal, banner, miracle, remembrance) of HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) Elohecha your God (Judge); ask it of the profound depths of sheol, or in the exalted higher parts above.”
Verse 3 begins HaShem’s words to Achaz via Isaiah: now HaShem adds to what He has spoken through Isaiah and speaks directly to Achaz. This signifies a catalyst event, a pivotal and profound illumination of the meta-narrative of the prophecy of Isaiah. When HaShem speaks directly to a person He intends that person to understand His redemptive purpose.
In spite of the idolatry and the lack of faith displayed by Achaz, HaShem still says, “HaShem your God (Judge)”. The Holy Name YHVH denotes mercy and the title Elohim, judgement; thus God is speaking to Achaz as the Merciful Judge. It is now up to Achaz to either receive or reject the mercy of the Judge.
HaShem offers Achaz the opportunity to ask for a sign (display, miracle, and memorial) from within any part of creation. It is significant that HaShem says “ask it of the profound depths of Sheol”, for in order for Achaz to see a sign from Sheol, someone must rise from the dead. It is equally significant that HaShem says “or in the exalted higher parts above”, for in order for Achaz to see a sign from the third heaven outside of time and space, God must come down and enter time and space. However, time and space exist within God, therefore, God must manifest part of His unity (person) within Himself, and within time and space.
The Hebrew Ot (sign) has no tense of its own. It is past, present and future. The sign Achaz is offered has no limitations placed upon it: he is free to ask anything good of God, and all that is good will remain.
Isa 7:12 But Achaz (He has grasped) said, “I will not ask, neither will I proof HaShem (YHVH: Mercy)”.
This is a classic example of false piety. Achaz has just been directly instructed by God to ask any sign of Him in order to confirm for Achaz the reality of what will take place. In turn, Achaz rebels against the instruction of God in order to appear to be pious. It is as if Achaz has spat in God’s face.
The Scripture does say “You shall not tempt Hashem your Elohim” (Deut. 6:16). Yeshua Himself rebukes Satan by quoting this text when Satan tempts Him to dishonour God by throwing Himself off the highest point of the Temple (Matt. 4:5-7). However, in the case of Achaz it was HaShem Himself Who instructed him to ask for a sign, making Achaz’s pious refusal an act of hypocrisy and ironically, a testing/tempting of God’s limitless patience.
Isa 7:13 And he (Isaiah) said, “Hear you now, O house of David (Beloved of God); Is it a small thing for you to offend (weary) men, but will you offend (Weary) Ehohay my God (Judge) also?”
Due to the refusal of Achaz to receive God’s offer, HaShem now withdraws His direct Word and speaks again through the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah. This proclamation calls not on Achaz alone but on the House of David. Why? Because the sign that is to be revealed is to speak to the greater house of David (those yet to come), it is to be a sign that is yet far into the future. If God had intended the sign to be understood within the generation of Achaz and the subsequent king Hezekiah, He would have addressed “Achaz and Judah”. Instead, HaShem addresses His proclamation of a sign to the greater house of David and the eternal Dynasty that He has promised to establish.
As an intermediary Isaiah rebukes Achaz for his hypocrisy, “You have wearied Judah and now you are wearying God, Who chose Judah from the tribes of Israel to be the root of His Messiah King, Israel’s redeemer”.
Isa 7:14 “Therefore Adonai Himself shall give you a Ot miraculous sign; ‘Hinei Behold, ha-almah the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Imanu-el (with us God)’.
It is important to note that the sign will not be the result of some chain of events that God triggers and allows to come to fruition. The sign will not be the result of some divine toppling of dominos. To the contrary, “The Lord Himself shall give you (Not Achaz but the House of David) an Ot miraculous sign”. This means that God will personally manifest Himself within the sign that He is giving.
As is always the case, “Hinei” is used to draw the reader’s attention to what follows. It is an indication of something profound, even mysterious: something that is to be listened to, received, observed, sought after and pursued. And what is this profound mysterious sign?
“An almah virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Imanu-el (with us God).”
This is one of the most contested verses of the prophets. Why? Not because the plain meaning is difficult to understand, nor because the Hebrew is ambiguous, not even because all the rabbis disagree on the plain meaning. No, it’s not because the meaning is hidden that this text is contested. To the contrary, it is simply because those who contest it do not want to accept its plain meaning.
However, in order to thoroughly refute the scholarly (critical school) lie that the Hebrew word almah does not mean virgin, I will address the word’s etymology, use in Scripture (Both Hebrew and Greek), its meaning as understood by Rashi (One of the Jewish people’s most renowned Biblical commentators), and the fact that not only is almah uniquely qualified to represent virginity, it is the only Hebrew word that can truly be said to do so without compromising the meaning.
Almah is derived from the root alam, “to hide”, “conceal” or “cover”, an apt term for describing virginity. However, etymology alone is not sufficient proof of its unique qualification as the Hebrew word that best conveys the meaning “virgin”. Therefore, we now turn to its usage within the Tanakh (OT).
Almah first appears in connection with Rivkah the future bride of Yitzchak:
“Behold now, (hinei), I’m standing by the well of water, when the virgin (almah) comes to the well to draw water…” –Genesis 24:43
In chapter 24 of Genesis, Rivkah was previously described as follows:
“And the young woman (na’arah) was very beautiful to look at, a virgin (betulah), neither had any man known (had sex) with her.” –Genesis 24:16
Thus, Rivkah is referred to in Genesis 24 as “a young woman”-naarah; “a virgin”-betulah; and almah, another word for virgin or unmarried woman of good repute (meaning she has not had sex with a man). The term almah is never applied to a married woman.
The term almah and its plural form alamot occur a total of seven times in the Tanakh (OT):
Matthew (Levi, the Disciple of Yeshua) renders the Hebrew word almah as parthenos (a virgin), probably qualifying his usage using the Septuagint (Greek text of the Tanakh [OT] approx. 3rd century BCE/BC), the text of which was translated by Jews (70 Rabbis) approximately 400 years prior to the writing of Matthew’s Gospel. The rabbis of that time, devoid of any polemic motivation, understood the word almah to refer to an unmarried virgin daughter. They gleaned this understanding from both its use in the Tanakh (Gen. 24:43; Deut. 22:28) and its root alam, which, as stated previously, means to "hide" or "cover"; because a young woman’s virginity was covered (protected) and her private parts hidden from men.
The most renowned medieval Jewish scholar, Rashi (1040-1105), who was determined in his opposition to Christianity and the idea that Yeshua was the promised Messiah, none the less makes this astonishing observation:
“Behold the almah shall conceive and bare a son and shall call his name Immanuel. This means that our Creator shall be with us. And this is the sign: the one who will conceive is a girl (na’arah), who never in her life has had intercourse with any man. Upon this one shall the Holy Spirit have power.” –Rashi, Mikraot Gedolot on Isaiah 7:14
Rashi is essentially paraphrasing Luke 1:35, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the Highest shall over-shadow you…”
Rashi also explains in his commentary on Song of the Songs, that “alamot” the plural form of “almah” means “betulah” (virgins).
It is interesting to note further that in Modern Hebrew the word “virgin” is rendered as either “almah” or “betulah” (Hebrew/English Dictionary. Efros, Kaufman, and Silk, Tel Aviv).
Therefore, it’s clear that etymologically, contextually and historically the word almah means “a virgin”.
Some ask, “Why didn’t Isaiah choose the common noun betulah for virgin rather than almah?” The answer is that betulah, while often used in the Tanakh to refer to a virgin, is sometimes used to refer to a married woman:
“Lament like a virgin (betulah) wearing sackcloth for the husband of her youth” –Joel 1:8
The betulah here is a married woman who has lost her husband and is therefore not a virgin. The foolish argument that engaged woman are considered married bears no weight given that she is lamenting the husband of her youth, a time past, meaning that she has since entered the wedding canopy and the marriage bed and is no longer a virgin.
Likewise Deuteronomy 22:19 describes a married woman after her wedding night as a betulah. Therefore betulah cannot apply exclusively to a virgin. Thus Isaiah employs the only Hebrew word that can be applied exclusively to a virgin. Of all the Hebrew terms Isaiah might have used almah is the best and least ambiguous.
Having been defeated on the grounds of the language used, some Jewish and Christian scholars turn to the desperate argument that Achaz could not have understood this sign to refer to some future Messiah but would have understood it to refer to his lifetime.
The presumption is that a sign from God spoken by a prophet can only be made manifest within the lifetime of its hearers. Given the prophecies of Daniel and the multiple fulfilments of numerous other Hebrew prophecies throughout history, theirs is an untenable position.
Add to this that the prophecy was not spoken to Achaz and his generation alone but to the House of David as a dynasty, and we are left without grounds to claim that the sign was for the generation of Achaz alone. In fact, the sign is relevant for both Achaz, Judah and the House of David as a sign of Israel’s need to turn from apostasy and return to HaShem.
Achaz would have understood the sign as a metaphor that expressed the present help of God in the midst of Judah’s dire predicament.
It is impossible, as some suggest, that this text could refer to Hezekiah or the second of Isaiah’s sons because neither one was born of a virgin, nor did either one fulfil the greater redemptive purpose of the one described in the following verses.
The name Immanuel is also sighted as a reason for rejecting Yeshua as the fulfilment of this prophecy. Those who misunderstand it say that there has been no redeemer born whose name was Immanuel. However, the contraction Immanuel is not intended as a proper name but as a descriptive title of the son who is to be born. This is also true of the many contractions employed in Isaiah 9:6. Thus Immanuel is intended to be understood in this context as a title and not a proper name.
The concept of God dwelling with humanity is one of the central doctrines of the Tanakh. He was present with the Patriarchs (Gen. 26:3; 28:15; 39:2, 3). He was with Moses (Exodus 3:12), and with the people of Israel (Exodus 3:16; 33:15-17). He manifest His presence in both the Mishkan (Tent of Meeting) and later in the Holy Place of the Temple in Jerusalem. His presence was seen by the people in the cloud which filled the Mishkhan and the fire which rested over it by night, both of which moved out before Israel as she travelled through the desert (Exodus 40:38). The root for Mishkhan is shachan, literally “to dwell”. Thus Immanuel is a title that connects the divine presence with a human boy child who is to be born of the virgin. It is interesting to note that the Hebrew text doesn’t say “almah” a virgin, but “ha-almah” the virgin. It is referring to a singular and specific virgin who will live in the future. Thus Immanuel is a title that describes God manifesting Himself in the flesh.
“And the Word (Ha-D’var) was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. –Yochanan (John) 1:14
Isaiah will soon proclaim Judah’s security by speaking the following words to her enemies:
“Take counsel from one another, it will all come to nothing, speak the word, it will not stand, because imanu – el (with us is God). –Isaiah 8:10
Isaiah expected the redeemer Immanuel to reign in glory (Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-10). He spoke of the coming Messiah by the Spirit of the Messiah (D’var: Living Word) Who dwelt within him (1 Peter 1:10-11). Isaiah was certain that the Messiah would come at a time yet future (1 Peter 1:12).
When we examine the life of Yeshua as it is recorded in the New Testament alongside Isaiah’s prophecy we are able to see that Isaiah’s prophecy could apply only to him.
Isa 7:15 Curds and honey shall he eat, he will know to refuse, reject, despise ba’ro the evil, and choose ba’tov the good.
Curds and honey are a symbol of the naturally occurring provision of God. They are foods associated with the land of Israel even when it is in a desolate state. If the fields go unplanted and the vines untended, the land will still produce curds (cattle) and honey (bees). Curds and honey are also the soft sweet foods fed to infants before they develop enough to consume solid foods. Thus the text infers that the male child who will be born of the virgin will know right from wrong even prior to the age of understanding. This is consistent with our understanding of the sinless Messiah Yeshua (Isaiah 53:9; 1 John 3:5; 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2:22; Heb. 4:15).
Isa 7:16 Because in the time before hana’ar the boy will know to refuse ba’ro the evil, and choose ba’tov the good, forsaken will be ha-adamah the land that you grieve over of the faces of both her kings.
The boy (Messiah, Redeemer) will know to refuse evil and choose good. The Hebrew na’ar refers to a young boy between 13 and 30 years of age. Thus verse 16 indicates a later stage of his young life. It is at that later stage that the land of Israel will be briefed of the kings of both Judah and Ephraim.
Isa 7:17 HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) shall bring upon you, and upon your people, and upon your father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim (Doubly fruitful) departed from Yehudah (Praise); even the king of Ashur (step, go straight).
Having spoken to Achaz of the future hope of Israel God now sobers him up by alluding to the imminent threat that the king of Assyria (Aram) posed. Achaz has invited the king of Assyria to help him, thus choosing to place his trust in human strength rather than in God. As a result captivity will come to Judah. The disaster that Tiglat-pileser, king of Assyria would inflict on Judah would be such as had never happened before, since the split between the ten tribes of Israel and Judah.
Isa 7:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Mitzrayim (Double distress, Egypt), and for the bee that is in the land of Ashur (step, go straight). Isa 7:19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.
Isaiah now identifies the nations that he spoke of in 5:26. HaShem will call on the Egyptian fly and the Assyrian bee. These two nations later fought over Carchemish, a key city on the Euphrates. Josiah the king of Judah became involved in the conflict and was killed prematurely (609 BCE/BC). Carchemish was eventually captured by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BCE/BC. From then onward Judah’s desolation was sealed. In 587-86 BCE/BC. Jerusalem was captured and the people of Judah were led into captivity in Babylon.
Isa 7:20 In the same day shall Adonai shave with a razor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Ashur (step, go straight), the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.
The “razor”, who Achaz had hired is the Assyrian king from beyond the Euphrates. He would shave Judah from head to toe, including the beard. Meaning that he will pillage the land and leave it desolate. The reference to the beard is an insult to manly dignity. For the ancient Hebrew the male beard was a sacred symbol of identity and strength (2 Samuel 10:4). Isaiah prophesied the stripping clean of the land of Israel. This came to fruition when Sennacherib invaded Judah in 701 BCE/BC. Destroying 46 cities and carrying off 200,000 people into captivity.
Isa 7:21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep; Isa 7:22 And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat curds: for curds and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land. Isa 7:23 And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand kesef (silver, currency), it shall even be for briers and thorns. Isa 7:24 With arrows and with bows men will come there; because all the land will become briers and thorns. Isa 7:25 And all hills that are dug with the hoe, you will not go there for fear of briers and thorns: it will be a place for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.
The few survivors left after the shaving clean of the land would live on curds and honey, the spontaneous produce of the uncultivated land. The valuable vineyards (a thousand shekels) would be torn out, and the rich pasture land and fields of crops would be left uncultivated for lack of workers. The reference to arrows and bows alludes to the hunters that will come there to hunt wild game. Israel would become an unkempt and wild land, left desolate and awaiting redemption.
© Yaakov Brown 2017
Pursuant to Isaiah’s throne room/Temple vision of Adonai (Isaiah 6: approx. 740 BCE/BC), and the promise of a perpetual remnant in the land of Israel; the hope of the people is to rest in the “Holy Seed” both plural (Ethno-religious Israel) and singular (the Messiah Gen. 3:15).
Isaiah 6:13 speaks of “a perpetual tenth (remnant) ve-shava (returning)”: this having been prophesied several years prior to the present account, during the reign of Yotam (750-735 BCE/BC). Now, in anticipation of the attack from Rezin and Pekah, Isaiah is instructed by HaShem (YHVH) to go to Achaz (who reigned from 735 to 719 BCE/BC) the son of Yotam. Isaiah is instructed to take his son She’ar (remnant)-yashuv (return) along with him. Thus the hope of Judah is given a living sign and advocate in the son of Isaiah “She’ar-yashuv”, named for the perpetual promise of Hashem concerning ethno-religious Israel, “A remnant will return”.
I have coined the term “ethno-religious Israel” to refute the satanic lie that says the Christian Church has superseded or replaced Israel. According to Scripture (Tanakh, Brit Ha-Chadashah) Israel was, is and will always be a uniquely chosen ethnic and religious people with whom God has made unbreakable eternal promises (covenants). When spiritual blinded Christian scholars claim that the Church is either a progressive form of (so called) spiritual Israel, or that the Church supersedes or has replaced ethnic/religious Israel as God’s chosen people, they are inadvertently placing their own salvation at risk. For, if God (according to their claims) has reneged on His covenant promises to Israel (in particular the covenant made over the land while Avraham was sleeping, a covenant incumbent on God alone, which was subsequently passed on to Yitzchak and Yaakov), then He cannot be trusted to keep the covenant of redemption He has entered into through the blood of His Son Yeshua our King Messiah. Thus, the self-redundant logic of the supersessionist (progression) movement testifies against its adherents.
This chapter contains an important messianic prophecy (v.14) which is an essential part of the meta-narrative of Isaiah’s message. It is for this reason that aside from Isaiah 53, the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy is fiercely contested by those who have a polemic agenda: despite the fact that the text plainly supports the traditional explanation, they refuse to accept it. However, our ancient rabbis and more recently the medieval commentator Rav Rashi (1040-1105 CE/AD) firmly assert the Messianic understanding of Isaiah 7:14 and affirm the virgin birth.
ISAIAH 7:
Isa 7:1 And it came to pass in the days of Achaz (He has grasped) the son of Yotam (HaShem is perfect), the son of Uziyahu (My strength is HaShem), king of Yehudah (Praise), that Retzin (Firm) the king of Aram (Exalted), and Pekah (Opened) the son of Remalyahu (Protected by HaShem), king of Yisrael (Overcomes in God) went up toward Yerushalayim (Flood of Peace, Jerusalem) to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
Achaz the son of Yotam reigned from 735 to 719 BCE/BC. Achaz was 20 years old when he began to reign, and he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem: he was one of the wicked kings of Israel who did not walk in the ways of David (2 Kings 16:2-20). His idolatry and political decisions are the primary reasons for the eventual demise of both Ephraim and Judah. By inviting the king of Assyria to help him fight against Aram (Syria) and Samaria, he unwittingly paved the way for the Assyrian invasion of Israel and Judah. Achaz was well suited to play the role of Godless counterpoint to Isaiah.
Equally foolish and even more sinister was the decision of Pekah, king of Israel, to join with Retzin, king of Aram (Syria) in order to wipe out the Davidic dynasty and rule over all of Israel. Had Pekah succeeded, the line of the Messiah would have been cut off. For this reason it is easy to see retrospectively, why in spite of their idolatry and wickedness, God delivered Achaz and Judah from Pekah and Retzin.
Isa 7:2 And it was told the house of David (Beloved of God), saying, Aram (Exalted) rests upon Ephraim (Doubly fruitful). And his lev (Inner man, core being, heart) was shaken, and the lev (Inner person, core being, heart) of his people, as the trees of the forest are shaken in the faces of the spirit/wind (ruach).
The title House of David is used in part to emphasize the grave potential of the approaching army of Aram and Ephraim. Achaz was the king over the Davidic dynasty at the time and regardless of his wickedness, was the head of Judah. Thus he is called “House of David” along with his people (Judah). Achaz has every reason to tremble with fear at the approach of the two armies, who had only recently caused great devastation in Judah (2 Chronicles 28:5-8).
Notice that the lev (inner person) of both Achaz (singular) and his people (plural) are caused to tremble. There is a profound mystery resting in the knowledge that a people has a collective lev (core being, heart, inner person).
Isa 7:3 Then said HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) to Yishayahu (Salvation from HaShem: Isaiah), “Go forward now to meet Achaz (He has grasped), you, and She’ar-yashuv (remnant-returns) your son, at the end (extremity) of the te’alat water course (healing, new skin over broken skin) of Ha-bereichah pool (blessing) Ha-Elyona the elevated (or, of the High God) toward the highway (raised road) of the field of choveis one who washes by treading”;
In spite of the wickedness of Achaz, HaShem was still mindful of His promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), thus sending a message of reassurance to Achaz and Judah. The presence of She’ar-yashuv (Remnant returns) is both a confirmation of the certain demise of Judah and at the same time a sign of hope for Judah’s future redemption through the remnant and the Holy Seed.
It is likely that Achaz was at the end of the aqueduct checking on the city’s water supply in anticipation of the pending invasion. In order for a city to survive under siege it must have ample supply of both food and water.
A paraphrase using the alternate literal meanings of the ambiguous Hebrew terms te’alat, bereichah, and Elyona; offers a beautiful insight into the sod (mystery) of this text.
“Mercy said to Salvation is from God, ‘Both you and your son named Remnant Returns are to go to the one who grasps. Meet him at the extreme end of healing from blessing at the elevated place of the High God on the road to the one who washes by treading.’”
Mercy is the Father, Salvation from God is the Son, the Returning Remnant are those in ethnic (religious) Israel who return through the saving work of the Son to share the news of healing with those who like Jacob are still grasping at the heel. The workers of God, in the life of His Son will meet those who grasp and struggle with healing born of blessing on the Mount of God (Elevated Har Beit, Moriah) in Jerusalem: where they will be washed through a disciplining and treading out process unto redemption through the Son’s message and sacrificial covenant. All of this pertaining to ethno-religious Israel.
Isa 7:4 And say unto him, “Take heed, and be quiet; do not fear or be faint-hearted because of the two tails of these smoking firebrands, because of the fierce anger of Retzin (Firm) with Aram (Exalted), and of the son of Remalyahu (Protected by HaShem).
This message of comfort in the midst of turmoil is a mainstay in the ministry of Isaiah. Later in his ministry Isaiah brings a similar message from HaShem to King Hezekiah:
“In returning and rest you will be saved; in tranquillity and trust will be your strength…”
–Isaiah 30:15
However, like Achaz, Hezekiah chose to trust in the strength of human effort (horses going to war) rather than to place his trust in HaShem.
HaShem is gracious in His loving message of comfort to Achaz. He adds to His instruction an analogy alluding to the weakness and impotency of Judah’s enemies. A “smoking firebrand” is a firebrand that has lost its flame and is about to go out. An army attacking at night relies on the firebrand to light the way and secondarily, to burn down the enemy fortifications. God is saying to Achaz that Aram and Ephraim (10 tribes of the north) will stumble in the darkness for lack of light and lose their ability to make a breach in the walls of Jerusalem. All this is said to Achaz at the end of the water-course in a location where he can look out onto the lower land of approach to Jerusalem and see these very things for himself. God does not ask us to follow Him blindly, He knows we are weak minded and that we often require physical proofs of His promises. Thus, in love, He offers us a glimpse into His eternal purpose by providing us with physical signs. The giving of signs becomes a central theme of chapter 7 of Isaiah’s prophecy (v.14).
Isa 7:5 “Because Aram (Exalted), Ephraim (Doubly fruitful), and the son of Remalyahu (Protected by HaShem), have taken evil counsel against you, saying, Isa 7:6 “Let us go up against Yehudah (Praise), and cause dread, and let us make a breach there for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Taval (God is good)”:
This observation of both the motivation and intended physical actions of Judah’s enemies supports the understanding that Ephraim intended to usurp the throne of David (House of David). Thus, in a very real sense, Ephraim was, at this particular moment in history, being guided by a spirit of anti-Messiah. This explains why, in spite of the wickedness of Achaz, God was intent upon disestablishing Ephraim and defeating Aram (Syria).
Isa 7:7 Thus says Adonai (Lord) HaShem (YHVH: Mercy), “It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. Isa 7:8 For the head of Aram (Exalted) is Damesek (Silent sackcloth weaver), and the head of Damesek (Silent sackcloth weaver) is Retzin (Firm); and within sixty five years Ephraim (Doubly fruitful) will be broken, that it be not a people.
The title “Adonai HaShem” denotes absolute sovereignty over all things. Not only will the plans of Ephraim and Aram come to nothing, HaShem will also set in motion the breaking and exile of the tribes under Ephraim. The prophecy of 65 years was literally fulfilled as follows:
- 734 BCE/BC Isaiah met Achaz at the pool (7:3)
- 732 BCE/BC Damesek was captured and Retzin killed (2 Kings 16:9)
- 722 BCE/BC Shomeron (Samaria) was captured and most of her population carried into captivity (2 Kings 17:4-6)
- 669 BCE/BC Esar-haddon, king of Assyria, put an end to Shomeron (Samaria) by carrying off those who remained of the tribes of the north to Assyria and resettling Shomeron (Samaria) with colonists from Assyrian provinces: these colonists became known as “Samaritans” (2 Kings 17:22-24)
The remez (hint) in the names of those coming against Judah reveals their fate. Aram, has “Exalted” itself (Pride) and as a result will receive “Sackcloth”, death and mourning (Damesek): and the head of authority of this outcome is “Firm” (Retzin) that is, “Firmly established”. Sixty five years after these things have come to pass the one who has been “Doubly fruitful” (Ephraim), will be disestablished, broken, taken away, and will no longer be a people. This means that Ephraim and the tribes of the north will lose their separate title at the time they go into exile. However, when they return from exile they will be united to Israel under the tribe of Israel’s king Messiah, Judah. Thus all the tribes of Israel became known as Yehudiym (Jews) following their return from the Babylonian exile. Therefore, the tribes were not “Lost” as some claim, but unified under Judah.
Isa 7:9 And the head of Ephraim (Doubly fruitful) is Shomeron (Watch mountain), and the head of Shomeron (Watch mountain) is Remalyahu’s (Protected by HaShem) son. Im lo taaminu lo teamenu If you will not believe, surely you will not be established.
As previously alluded to, Ephraim’s disestablishment has purpose in God’s redemptive plan for Israel. Her dispersion is not the end but a pretext to her new beginning. Thus the text explains that the head of Ephraim is the “Watch Mountain”, which is symbolic of the mountains of Samaria looking for Ephraim’s return. Further still, the head of the watch mountain is the Son born of the “Protection of Hashem”, that is Judah.
Thus the challenge is issued, “If you will not believe, surely you will not be established”. The Hebrew text reads, “Im lo taaminu lo teamenu”. This is a play on the root aman (support, be faithful), which is related to the Hebrew emuna (trust, faith, belief). In a more literal sense the phrase says, “If you don’t support you will not be supported” or “If you aren’t faithful you will not receive faithfulness”.
In the plain (p’shat) sense this means, “If you don’t believe that I am able to defeat your enemies you will not be established”. If Achaz has no faith in God he will inevitably fail to continue his reign over Judah. However, through the remez (hint) we see a deeper meaning. Those in Judah who don’t believe in her redemption through God’s Messiah, will fail to receive His protection and restoration: not because He has not offered it to them but because they have refused it. On the other hand, those who receive Messiah through belief and trust will be established.
ASK FOR A SIGN, MIRACLE, REMEMBRANCE, AND BANNER:
Isa 7:10 Adding, HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) spoke to Achaz (He has grasped), saying, Isa 7:11 “Ask you for a Ot sign (signal, banner, miracle, remembrance) of HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) Elohecha your God (Judge); ask it of the profound depths of sheol, or in the exalted higher parts above.”
Verse 3 begins HaShem’s words to Achaz via Isaiah: now HaShem adds to what He has spoken through Isaiah and speaks directly to Achaz. This signifies a catalyst event, a pivotal and profound illumination of the meta-narrative of the prophecy of Isaiah. When HaShem speaks directly to a person He intends that person to understand His redemptive purpose.
In spite of the idolatry and the lack of faith displayed by Achaz, HaShem still says, “HaShem your God (Judge)”. The Holy Name YHVH denotes mercy and the title Elohim, judgement; thus God is speaking to Achaz as the Merciful Judge. It is now up to Achaz to either receive or reject the mercy of the Judge.
HaShem offers Achaz the opportunity to ask for a sign (display, miracle, and memorial) from within any part of creation. It is significant that HaShem says “ask it of the profound depths of Sheol”, for in order for Achaz to see a sign from Sheol, someone must rise from the dead. It is equally significant that HaShem says “or in the exalted higher parts above”, for in order for Achaz to see a sign from the third heaven outside of time and space, God must come down and enter time and space. However, time and space exist within God, therefore, God must manifest part of His unity (person) within Himself, and within time and space.
The Hebrew Ot (sign) has no tense of its own. It is past, present and future. The sign Achaz is offered has no limitations placed upon it: he is free to ask anything good of God, and all that is good will remain.
Isa 7:12 But Achaz (He has grasped) said, “I will not ask, neither will I proof HaShem (YHVH: Mercy)”.
This is a classic example of false piety. Achaz has just been directly instructed by God to ask any sign of Him in order to confirm for Achaz the reality of what will take place. In turn, Achaz rebels against the instruction of God in order to appear to be pious. It is as if Achaz has spat in God’s face.
The Scripture does say “You shall not tempt Hashem your Elohim” (Deut. 6:16). Yeshua Himself rebukes Satan by quoting this text when Satan tempts Him to dishonour God by throwing Himself off the highest point of the Temple (Matt. 4:5-7). However, in the case of Achaz it was HaShem Himself Who instructed him to ask for a sign, making Achaz’s pious refusal an act of hypocrisy and ironically, a testing/tempting of God’s limitless patience.
Isa 7:13 And he (Isaiah) said, “Hear you now, O house of David (Beloved of God); Is it a small thing for you to offend (weary) men, but will you offend (Weary) Ehohay my God (Judge) also?”
Due to the refusal of Achaz to receive God’s offer, HaShem now withdraws His direct Word and speaks again through the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah. This proclamation calls not on Achaz alone but on the House of David. Why? Because the sign that is to be revealed is to speak to the greater house of David (those yet to come), it is to be a sign that is yet far into the future. If God had intended the sign to be understood within the generation of Achaz and the subsequent king Hezekiah, He would have addressed “Achaz and Judah”. Instead, HaShem addresses His proclamation of a sign to the greater house of David and the eternal Dynasty that He has promised to establish.
As an intermediary Isaiah rebukes Achaz for his hypocrisy, “You have wearied Judah and now you are wearying God, Who chose Judah from the tribes of Israel to be the root of His Messiah King, Israel’s redeemer”.
Isa 7:14 “Therefore Adonai Himself shall give you a Ot miraculous sign; ‘Hinei Behold, ha-almah the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Imanu-el (with us God)’.
It is important to note that the sign will not be the result of some chain of events that God triggers and allows to come to fruition. The sign will not be the result of some divine toppling of dominos. To the contrary, “The Lord Himself shall give you (Not Achaz but the House of David) an Ot miraculous sign”. This means that God will personally manifest Himself within the sign that He is giving.
As is always the case, “Hinei” is used to draw the reader’s attention to what follows. It is an indication of something profound, even mysterious: something that is to be listened to, received, observed, sought after and pursued. And what is this profound mysterious sign?
“An almah virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Imanu-el (with us God).”
This is one of the most contested verses of the prophets. Why? Not because the plain meaning is difficult to understand, nor because the Hebrew is ambiguous, not even because all the rabbis disagree on the plain meaning. No, it’s not because the meaning is hidden that this text is contested. To the contrary, it is simply because those who contest it do not want to accept its plain meaning.
However, in order to thoroughly refute the scholarly (critical school) lie that the Hebrew word almah does not mean virgin, I will address the word’s etymology, use in Scripture (Both Hebrew and Greek), its meaning as understood by Rashi (One of the Jewish people’s most renowned Biblical commentators), and the fact that not only is almah uniquely qualified to represent virginity, it is the only Hebrew word that can truly be said to do so without compromising the meaning.
Almah is derived from the root alam, “to hide”, “conceal” or “cover”, an apt term for describing virginity. However, etymology alone is not sufficient proof of its unique qualification as the Hebrew word that best conveys the meaning “virgin”. Therefore, we now turn to its usage within the Tanakh (OT).
Almah first appears in connection with Rivkah the future bride of Yitzchak:
“Behold now, (hinei), I’m standing by the well of water, when the virgin (almah) comes to the well to draw water…” –Genesis 24:43
In chapter 24 of Genesis, Rivkah was previously described as follows:
“And the young woman (na’arah) was very beautiful to look at, a virgin (betulah), neither had any man known (had sex) with her.” –Genesis 24:16
Thus, Rivkah is referred to in Genesis 24 as “a young woman”-naarah; “a virgin”-betulah; and almah, another word for virgin or unmarried woman of good repute (meaning she has not had sex with a man). The term almah is never applied to a married woman.
The term almah and its plural form alamot occur a total of seven times in the Tanakh (OT):
- Genesis 24:43 – Applied to Rivkah, the prospective bride of Yitzchak
- Exodus 2:8 – Applied to Miriam the sister of Moshe
- Psalm 68:25 –translated as “young women (alamot) playing tambourines”
- Song of the Songs 1:3 –Virgins (of the royal court)
- Song of the Songs 6:8 –Virgins (of the royal court)
- Proverbs 30:19 –“The way of a man with a young woman”
- Isaiah 7:14 –“Behold the virgin (ha-almah)…”
Matthew (Levi, the Disciple of Yeshua) renders the Hebrew word almah as parthenos (a virgin), probably qualifying his usage using the Septuagint (Greek text of the Tanakh [OT] approx. 3rd century BCE/BC), the text of which was translated by Jews (70 Rabbis) approximately 400 years prior to the writing of Matthew’s Gospel. The rabbis of that time, devoid of any polemic motivation, understood the word almah to refer to an unmarried virgin daughter. They gleaned this understanding from both its use in the Tanakh (Gen. 24:43; Deut. 22:28) and its root alam, which, as stated previously, means to "hide" or "cover"; because a young woman’s virginity was covered (protected) and her private parts hidden from men.
The most renowned medieval Jewish scholar, Rashi (1040-1105), who was determined in his opposition to Christianity and the idea that Yeshua was the promised Messiah, none the less makes this astonishing observation:
“Behold the almah shall conceive and bare a son and shall call his name Immanuel. This means that our Creator shall be with us. And this is the sign: the one who will conceive is a girl (na’arah), who never in her life has had intercourse with any man. Upon this one shall the Holy Spirit have power.” –Rashi, Mikraot Gedolot on Isaiah 7:14
Rashi is essentially paraphrasing Luke 1:35, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the Highest shall over-shadow you…”
Rashi also explains in his commentary on Song of the Songs, that “alamot” the plural form of “almah” means “betulah” (virgins).
It is interesting to note further that in Modern Hebrew the word “virgin” is rendered as either “almah” or “betulah” (Hebrew/English Dictionary. Efros, Kaufman, and Silk, Tel Aviv).
Therefore, it’s clear that etymologically, contextually and historically the word almah means “a virgin”.
Some ask, “Why didn’t Isaiah choose the common noun betulah for virgin rather than almah?” The answer is that betulah, while often used in the Tanakh to refer to a virgin, is sometimes used to refer to a married woman:
“Lament like a virgin (betulah) wearing sackcloth for the husband of her youth” –Joel 1:8
The betulah here is a married woman who has lost her husband and is therefore not a virgin. The foolish argument that engaged woman are considered married bears no weight given that she is lamenting the husband of her youth, a time past, meaning that she has since entered the wedding canopy and the marriage bed and is no longer a virgin.
Likewise Deuteronomy 22:19 describes a married woman after her wedding night as a betulah. Therefore betulah cannot apply exclusively to a virgin. Thus Isaiah employs the only Hebrew word that can be applied exclusively to a virgin. Of all the Hebrew terms Isaiah might have used almah is the best and least ambiguous.
Having been defeated on the grounds of the language used, some Jewish and Christian scholars turn to the desperate argument that Achaz could not have understood this sign to refer to some future Messiah but would have understood it to refer to his lifetime.
The presumption is that a sign from God spoken by a prophet can only be made manifest within the lifetime of its hearers. Given the prophecies of Daniel and the multiple fulfilments of numerous other Hebrew prophecies throughout history, theirs is an untenable position.
Add to this that the prophecy was not spoken to Achaz and his generation alone but to the House of David as a dynasty, and we are left without grounds to claim that the sign was for the generation of Achaz alone. In fact, the sign is relevant for both Achaz, Judah and the House of David as a sign of Israel’s need to turn from apostasy and return to HaShem.
Achaz would have understood the sign as a metaphor that expressed the present help of God in the midst of Judah’s dire predicament.
It is impossible, as some suggest, that this text could refer to Hezekiah or the second of Isaiah’s sons because neither one was born of a virgin, nor did either one fulfil the greater redemptive purpose of the one described in the following verses.
The name Immanuel is also sighted as a reason for rejecting Yeshua as the fulfilment of this prophecy. Those who misunderstand it say that there has been no redeemer born whose name was Immanuel. However, the contraction Immanuel is not intended as a proper name but as a descriptive title of the son who is to be born. This is also true of the many contractions employed in Isaiah 9:6. Thus Immanuel is intended to be understood in this context as a title and not a proper name.
The concept of God dwelling with humanity is one of the central doctrines of the Tanakh. He was present with the Patriarchs (Gen. 26:3; 28:15; 39:2, 3). He was with Moses (Exodus 3:12), and with the people of Israel (Exodus 3:16; 33:15-17). He manifest His presence in both the Mishkan (Tent of Meeting) and later in the Holy Place of the Temple in Jerusalem. His presence was seen by the people in the cloud which filled the Mishkhan and the fire which rested over it by night, both of which moved out before Israel as she travelled through the desert (Exodus 40:38). The root for Mishkhan is shachan, literally “to dwell”. Thus Immanuel is a title that connects the divine presence with a human boy child who is to be born of the virgin. It is interesting to note that the Hebrew text doesn’t say “almah” a virgin, but “ha-almah” the virgin. It is referring to a singular and specific virgin who will live in the future. Thus Immanuel is a title that describes God manifesting Himself in the flesh.
“And the Word (Ha-D’var) was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. –Yochanan (John) 1:14
Isaiah will soon proclaim Judah’s security by speaking the following words to her enemies:
“Take counsel from one another, it will all come to nothing, speak the word, it will not stand, because imanu – el (with us is God). –Isaiah 8:10
Isaiah expected the redeemer Immanuel to reign in glory (Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-10). He spoke of the coming Messiah by the Spirit of the Messiah (D’var: Living Word) Who dwelt within him (1 Peter 1:10-11). Isaiah was certain that the Messiah would come at a time yet future (1 Peter 1:12).
When we examine the life of Yeshua as it is recorded in the New Testament alongside Isaiah’s prophecy we are able to see that Isaiah’s prophecy could apply only to him.
Isa 7:15 Curds and honey shall he eat, he will know to refuse, reject, despise ba’ro the evil, and choose ba’tov the good.
Curds and honey are a symbol of the naturally occurring provision of God. They are foods associated with the land of Israel even when it is in a desolate state. If the fields go unplanted and the vines untended, the land will still produce curds (cattle) and honey (bees). Curds and honey are also the soft sweet foods fed to infants before they develop enough to consume solid foods. Thus the text infers that the male child who will be born of the virgin will know right from wrong even prior to the age of understanding. This is consistent with our understanding of the sinless Messiah Yeshua (Isaiah 53:9; 1 John 3:5; 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2:22; Heb. 4:15).
Isa 7:16 Because in the time before hana’ar the boy will know to refuse ba’ro the evil, and choose ba’tov the good, forsaken will be ha-adamah the land that you grieve over of the faces of both her kings.
The boy (Messiah, Redeemer) will know to refuse evil and choose good. The Hebrew na’ar refers to a young boy between 13 and 30 years of age. Thus verse 16 indicates a later stage of his young life. It is at that later stage that the land of Israel will be briefed of the kings of both Judah and Ephraim.
Isa 7:17 HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) shall bring upon you, and upon your people, and upon your father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim (Doubly fruitful) departed from Yehudah (Praise); even the king of Ashur (step, go straight).
Having spoken to Achaz of the future hope of Israel God now sobers him up by alluding to the imminent threat that the king of Assyria (Aram) posed. Achaz has invited the king of Assyria to help him, thus choosing to place his trust in human strength rather than in God. As a result captivity will come to Judah. The disaster that Tiglat-pileser, king of Assyria would inflict on Judah would be such as had never happened before, since the split between the ten tribes of Israel and Judah.
Isa 7:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that HaShem (YHVH: Mercy) shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Mitzrayim (Double distress, Egypt), and for the bee that is in the land of Ashur (step, go straight). Isa 7:19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.
Isaiah now identifies the nations that he spoke of in 5:26. HaShem will call on the Egyptian fly and the Assyrian bee. These two nations later fought over Carchemish, a key city on the Euphrates. Josiah the king of Judah became involved in the conflict and was killed prematurely (609 BCE/BC). Carchemish was eventually captured by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BCE/BC. From then onward Judah’s desolation was sealed. In 587-86 BCE/BC. Jerusalem was captured and the people of Judah were led into captivity in Babylon.
Isa 7:20 In the same day shall Adonai shave with a razor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Ashur (step, go straight), the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.
The “razor”, who Achaz had hired is the Assyrian king from beyond the Euphrates. He would shave Judah from head to toe, including the beard. Meaning that he will pillage the land and leave it desolate. The reference to the beard is an insult to manly dignity. For the ancient Hebrew the male beard was a sacred symbol of identity and strength (2 Samuel 10:4). Isaiah prophesied the stripping clean of the land of Israel. This came to fruition when Sennacherib invaded Judah in 701 BCE/BC. Destroying 46 cities and carrying off 200,000 people into captivity.
Isa 7:21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep; Isa 7:22 And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat curds: for curds and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land. Isa 7:23 And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand kesef (silver, currency), it shall even be for briers and thorns. Isa 7:24 With arrows and with bows men will come there; because all the land will become briers and thorns. Isa 7:25 And all hills that are dug with the hoe, you will not go there for fear of briers and thorns: it will be a place for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.
The few survivors left after the shaving clean of the land would live on curds and honey, the spontaneous produce of the uncultivated land. The valuable vineyards (a thousand shekels) would be torn out, and the rich pasture land and fields of crops would be left uncultivated for lack of workers. The reference to arrows and bows alludes to the hunters that will come there to hunt wild game. Israel would become an unkempt and wild land, left desolate and awaiting redemption.
© Yaakov Brown 2017
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