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A Son Named Immanuel

10 Once again the Lord God spoke to King Ahaz. This time he said, 11 “Ask me for proof that my promise will come true. Ask for something to happen deep in the world of the dead or high in the heavens above.”

12 “No, Lord,” Ahaz answered. “I won't test you!”

13 Then I said:

Listen, every one of you in the royal family of David. You have already tried my patience. Now you are trying God's patience by refusing to ask for proof. 14 (A) But the Lord will still give you proof. A virgin[a] is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel.[b] 15-16 Even before the boy is old enough to know how to choose between right and wrong, he will eat yogurt and honey,[c] and the countries of the two kings you fear will be destroyed.

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Footnotes

  1. 7.14 virgin: Or “young woman.” In this context the difficult Hebrew word did not imply a virgin birth. However, in the Greek translation made about 200 b.c. and used by the early Christians, the word parthenos had a double meaning. While the translator took it to mean “young woman,” Matthew understood it to mean “virgin” and quoted the passage (Matthew 1.23) because it was the appropriate description of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
  2. 7.14 Immanuel: In Hebrew “Immanuel” means “God is with us.”
  3. 7.15,16 yogurt and honey: This may refer either to expensive foods eaten in a time of plenty or to a limited diet eaten in times of a food shortage.

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign,(A) whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.(B)

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.(C)

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David!(D) Is it not enough(E) to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience(F) of my God(G) also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you[a] a sign:(H) The virgin[b](I) will conceive and give birth to a son,(J) and[c] will call him Immanuel.[d](K) 15 He will be eating curds(L) and honey(M) when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows(N) enough to reject the wrong and choose the right,(O) the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.(P)

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 7:14 The Hebrew is plural.
  2. Isaiah 7:14 Or young woman
  3. Isaiah 7:14 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls son, and he or son, and they
  4. Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel means God with us.