While preparing for a sermon I delivered to my church, I found something interesting. There was an article talking about Emmanuel and Immanuel. Before then, I used to think the proper spelling was Immanuel. It prompted me to read the Bible and look further into the two words as I looked to find out how many times this name is mentioned in the Bible. So, how many times is Emmanuel mentioned in the Bible?
The scripture has one mention of the name Emmanuel in the New Testament, Mathew 1:23. According to teachers of the scripture, Emmanuel and Immanuel mean the same thing. Having this in mind, it may be vital to know that the name Immanuel appears twice in the scripture.
I have come up with a write-up that will inform you of the name Emmanuel. Knowing that Emmanuel and Immanuel may confuse you, the article below will inform you of their difference. Also, learn the Bible verses about Emmanuel. Read on to find out about these and more.
What is the meaning of Immanuel in the Bible?
According to teachers of the scripture, Immanuel means ‘God with us.’ The name Immanuel is Hebrew which gives the word that meaning. It comes from two Hebrew terms, ‘Immanu,’ which means with us. The other term is ‘El,’ which means God; in full, the Word means God with us.
From the scripture, the name Immanuel first appears in Isaiah 7:14. Here, the prophet Isaiah speaks to King Ahaz and prophesizes the birth of a child who will be named Immanuel, which refers to Jesus. Therefore, we can suggest that Immanuel is another term that refers to Jesus Christ.
We may argue that through Jesus, God’s presence is amongst us. Therefore, it agrees with the meaning of Immanuel as God is with us through His son Jesus Christ. The Gospel reminds us that with Jesus, God draws closer to us.
Where does the name Emmanuel originate from?
The name Emmanuel originates from the Hebrew name Immanuel. According to teachers of the scripture, they allude that the Old Testament was initially written in Hebrew and later translated into different versions. As for the New Testament, they suggest that it was originally in Greek. The name Immanuel is a Hebrew word, whereas Emmanuel is Greek.
Since the Old Testament precedes the New Testament, the Greek pronunciation and spelling of Immanuel maintain. In the New Testament, the Hebrew transliteration of Immanuel changes to Emmanuel. However, you should know that the two words are the same in meaning. They only differ in pronunciation and spelling.
Where is the name Emmanuel in the Bible?
The name Emmanuel is in the New Testament. It appears once in the New Testament, Mathew 1:23. The chapter gives a breakdown of Jesus’ genealogy. Based on scripture, Mathew 1:22 suggests that Jesus’ birth was a fulfillment of what God had spoken to a prophet. In verse 23, the scripture narrates the prophecy, which mentions that a virgin shall conceive and bear a son named Emmanuel. As you read further in the scripture, you come across Emmanuel. However, the literal Word is not used. Instead, the Word uses its meaning in the texts, as seen in Exodus 33:14, Numbers 14:9, and Haggai 2:4. According to these verses, God tells His people that He will be with them. Therefore, we can suggest that it refers to Emmanuel.
Where in the Bible does Emmanuel first appear?
The name Emmanuel first appears in Mathew 1:23. During this time, the Gospel narrates Jesus’ genealogy from the beginning of the chapter. In verse twenty-three, the scripture mentions Isaiah’s prophecy as had been done earlier. Through this, the scripture can agree with the prophecy that a virgin will bear a son whose name shall be Emmanuel. We get an interpretation of the Word Emmanuel as the verse alludes is God with us.As for Immanuel, it appears twice in the Old Testament in the book of Isaiah.
Is it Emmanuel or Immanuel?
Both names are correct, as they mean the same thing. The difference lies in pronunciation and spelling. Emmanuel appears in the New Testament while on the other hand, while Immanuel appears twice in the Old Testament. According to the scripture, it alludes that Prophet Isaiah mentions the Word Immanuel as he gives a prophecy to King Ahaz. He informs the King that there will be a son born young and named Immanuel. As you read further in the Bible, the book of Mathew mentions the Word Emmanuel. The scripture gives the impression that the intention was to refer to the prophecy given by Isaiah in the Old Testament. Therefore, we can allude that the two names refer to the same thing.
Bible verses about Emmanuel
In Isaiah 7:14, the verse is about a prophecy about a young woman who will bear a son named Immanuel. Prophet Isaiah reveals this to King Azah. Although the name mentioned is Immanuel, it means the same as Emmanuel.
In Psalm 8:7-10, the prophet Isaiah calls out to the name Immanuel amidst what scripture suggests is a prophecy.
In Mathew 1:23, the verse introduces us to the first mention of the Word Emmanuel in the New Testament. As the chapter begins, it alludes that it is about Jesus’ genealogy. The verse is a flashback of Isaiah’s prophecy in the Old Testament. It suggests that a virgin shall bear a son who will be called Emmanuel. The verse also informs us that it means God is with us.
In Numbers 14:9, the Word Emmanuel does not appear directly. However, the scripture alludes to the verse that refers to Emmanuel. Joshua said to the people of Israel that they should not fear as the Lord is with them. As alluded to in the scripture, Emmanuel means Lord is with us.
In Exodus 33:14, Moses is conversing with God. The scripture says that God reassures Moses that he will be with him. As seen earlier, Emmanuel means God with us.
In Haggai 2:4, Haggai gives a prophecy from God as He says to His people that He is with them.
In Psalm 46:7, the psalmist says in the verse that the Lord of hosts is with us. The verse does not mention the Word Emmanuel, but its meaning is similar to the verse.
What does Emmanuel mean in Hebrew?
In Hebrew, the name Emmanuel means God with us. The Word Emmanuel is similar to Immanuel, which in Hebrew means God with us. Emmanuel appears in the New Testament, whereas Immanuel is in the Old Testament. As explained earlier, Emmanuel is the transliterated Greek version of Immanuel. In Mathew 1:23, the scripture alludes to the meaning of Emmanuel as God with us.
In Hebrew, Immanuel comes from two words, ‘Immanu’ and ‘El.’ The latter means God, and ‘Immanu’ refers to us. Based on the scripture, it gives the impression that the Word Emmanuel means that God dwells with us. We see this better in other verses such as Psalm 46:7 and Exodus 33:14. Despite Emmanuel not being spelled out, its meaning is within the texts, as mentioned in the New Testament. As the scripture alludes, God reassures His people that he is with them in all that they do.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.