In the prophecy of the virgin birth, Isaiah 7:14, the prophet Isaiah declared, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” This prophecy refers to the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1:22-23, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ which means, ‘God with us.'” This does not mean, however, that the Messiah’s name would actually be Immanuel.
There are many names given to Jesus using the phrase “He shall be called,” both in the Old and New Testaments. This was a common way of saying that people would refer to Him in these various ways. Isaiah prophesied of the Messiah, “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). None of these titles was Jesus’ actual name, but these were descriptions people would use to refer to Him forever. Luke tells us Jesus “shall be called the Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:32) and “son of God” (1:35) and “the prophet of the Highest” (1:76), but none of these was His name.
In two different places, the prophet Jeremiah says in referring to the coming Messiah, “And this is His name by which He shall be called, JEHOVAH, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:5-6; 33:15-16). Now we know that God, the Father, is named Jehovah. Jesus was never actually called Jehovah as though it was His name, but His role was that of bringing the righteousness of Jehovah to those who would believe in Him, exchanging that righteousness for our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, this is one of the many titles or “names” which belong to Him.
In the same way, to say that Jesus would be called “Immanuel” means Jesus is God and that He dwelt among us in His incarnation and that He is always with us. Jesus was God in the flesh. Jesus was God making His dwelling among us (John 1:1,14). No, Jesus’ name was not Immanuel, but Jesus was the meaning of Immanuel, “God with us.” Immanuel is one of the many titles for Jesus, a description of who He is.
Or could it be that Matthew mistook the fulfillment of the promise of Imanuel for that of the Son of God, Jesus?
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I think it’s important to remember that Isaiah only prophesized the coming of God. he did not claim to know, or to prophesize, the true name of which would be given to the Son of God. At the time of Isaiah’s prophecy he only wanted to proclaim His coming to earth and to the people. He did this by incorporating and associating the name “Immanuel” so that the people would know “it is God who will be with us.”
However, in Matthew 1: 18-25, we see that the prophecy given through Isaiah was fulfilled. Where Isaiah could not know the true name of which would be given the “Christ Child” it was reveal through a dream Joseph had. in that dream an Angel of the Lord came and revealed all to him. Including the name of Jesus of which He was to be named.
This is not uncommon as we find many such occurrences throughout the Bible. Such examples are as follows: In in Genesis 16:11: “And the Angel of the Lord said to Hagar “Behold, you are with child, And you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, Because the Lord has heard your affliction.” Again in Genesis 17:5 God speaks to Abraham: “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.” And, also in Genesis 17:15 “Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.”
No, I do not think there was a mistaken identity here on Matthew’s part. Purpleray I thank you for visiting and for your comment. Please drop by again. You’re always welcome.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you.
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Thanks for your painstaking explanation.
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You’re welcome, purpleray.
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