Jesus Christ is commonly referred to as Emmanuel by Christians, especially during the Christmas festive season. Many Christians may not know why He is called this, how the name originated or what its significance is. People may be wondering: who is Emmanuel? Is Jesus Emmanuel?
Several Bible verses indicate that Emmanuel is Jesus. As first mentioned in the Bible (Isaiah 7:14), Emmanuel was used to prophesying the coming of a savior. In Matthew 1:23, the name Emmanuel is repeated to describe Jesus.
What does Emmanuel mean? Does it come from the Bible? Where is it mentioned in the Bible? Expect to get detailed answers to these questions and more. We shall also find out if Emmanuel was meant to be Jesus’ name and, if it was, why it was changed after birth.
What Does the Name Emmanuel Mean in The Bible?
Simply put, the name Emmanuel means “God with us.” It is believed that it is about Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Matthew 1:23 says, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel” (which means “God with us”)” and lets us know, according to some interpreters, that the coming of Jesus is the arrival of God and He shall be with us. This verse gives us the meaning of the name explicitly.
You may have come across some people or Bibles that refer to Emmanuel as Immanuel. Are they the same? Some Bible versions were translated from Hebrew, which tends to favor ‘Immanuel,’ while those translated from Greek take the ‘Emmanuel’ spelling. But both of them mean the same thing.
Where Did the Name Emmanuel Come from In the Bible?
In the Bible, Isaiah 7:14 first mentions the name Emmanuel, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel.” It speaks of a prophecy of a Savior to come, and He shall be called Emmanuel. This is repeated in Matthew 1:23 which reads “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel” (which means “God with us”)”. In general, the name Emmanuel in the Bible refers to the coming of Jesus Christ.
Where Does the Name Emmanuel First Appear in The Bible?
The name Emmanuel first appears in the Bible in the book of Isaiah, specifically Isaiah 7:14, which reads, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel.” It then appears again in Isaiah 8:8, “and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it passing through it and reaching up to the neck. Its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, Emmanuel!” In these passages, the name Emmanuel is given to signify a Messiah will come. It gives hope to the people of Judah who are facing persecution from the people from Israel and Syria.
It also appears once in the New Testament, in Matthew 1:23, which is a reiteration of Isaiah 7:14. It states, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel” (which means “God with us”).”
Why Did Jesus’ Name Change After He Was Born?
Some believe that Jesus was never meant to be called Emmanuel. Although Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23 reference the coming of Christ and call Him Emmanuel, some believe this is just one of the many names used to identify Jesus in the Old Testament. For example, in Isaiah 9:6, Jesus is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Luke 1:32 also says, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,” These are simply descriptive terms of Christ, and Emmanuel can be seen as no different.
Some even argue that Isaiah 7:14 is not referring to Jesus, so Emmanuel is not Jesus. In the original Biblical text, the Hebrew word used in verse is ‘almah’ which is directly translated to ‘young unmarried woman.’ Virginity is not referenced in this verse, but during translation into Greek, the word was replaced with ‘parthenos,’ which means ‘virgin.’ Further in the full context of the chapter, a young woman gives birth a few verses after Isaiah 7:14, further convincing people that this verse is about her and not The Virgin Mary or Jesus Christ.
Was Emmanuel Intended to Be Jesus’ Name or Just A Reference?
It is implied that Emmanuel was only meant to reference Jesus Christ as opposed to being His name. The name Emmanuel in the Old Testament (Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel.”) is believed to forecast the coming of Christ. People take it as a descriptive term to mean “God is with us.” Jesus was also given other descriptive names throughout the Bible that weren’t His name.
Do Christians Call Jesus Emmanuel?
Yes, they do. Many Christian hymns and songs refer to Jesus as Emmanuel. It is also common for sermons during the Christmas season to call Jesus Emmanuel. This is because Christians, especially during Christmas, use the name Emmanuel to remember the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation. Just as the name Emmanuel suggests, Jesus Christ was born during the figurative celebration of Christmas to be with us and to bring salvation.
References
- Immanuel or Emmanuel
- What Does Immanuel Mean?
- The Significance of Emmanuel For Us Today (Emmanuel Meaning)
- Why Was Jesus Called Immanuel? (God with Us)
- Why Wasn’t Jesus Named Immanuel?
- Is “Virgin” or “Young Woman” the Correct Translation of Isaiah 7:14?
- Why Did Mary and Joseph Not Call Jesus “Immanuel”?
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.
