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Shema Yisrael Adonai Elohaynu Adonai Echad
"Hear Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai is One"
According to standard Nicene Christian belief Matthew 1:23 explicitly references Isaiah 7:14 and foretells the miraculous conception and birth of Rebbe Y'shua haNatzrati ("Torah teacher Jesus the Messiah") to an engaged virgin teenager (or almah in Hebrew) named Miryam (Mary). This belief is declared an essential dogma in the Nicean Creed. In this study we'll consider whether these verses actually teach what Nicene religion claims.
First the King James Version (KJV) of Matthew's account:
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.Here is the same section in the modern English Complete Jewish Bible (CJB):
1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.Matthew 1:18 Here is how the birth of Yeshua the Messiah took place. When his mother Miryam was engaged to Yosef, before they were married, she was found to be pregnant from the Ruach HaKodesh.Note at verse 21 that the name Y'shua (or Yeshua) means "HaShem Saves." The name "Jesus" means something all together different as I discuss Here.
19 Her husband-to-be, Yosef, was a man who did what was right; so he made plans to break the engagement quietly, rather than put her to public shame.
20 But while he was thinking about this, an angel of ADONAI appeared to him in a dream and said, "Yosef, son of David, do not be afraid to take Miryam home with you as your wife; for what has been conceived in her is from the Ruach HaKodesh.
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua, [which means 'ADONAI saves,'] because he will save his people from their sins."
22 All this happened in order to fulfill what ADONAI had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him 'Immanu El. (The name means, "God is with us.")When Rebbe Y'shua and his first century talmidim (students) referred to "the Scriptures" they were in all instances talking about the Tanakh (or "Old Testament"). The books of the B'rit Hadashah (or "New Testament") we have today were written at a later date (between around 20-62 years after Rebbe Y'shua's execution). When studying the B'rit Hadashah its important to do so as they did, study these documents through the lens of the Tanakh (Acts 17:11).
Is Isaiah chapter seven a Messianic text? Does it foretell the virgin birth of Rebbe Y'shua from the 8th century BCE? Let's see what Navi (Prophet) Isaiah is discussing in context.
In order to understand the context of Isaiah 7:14 we will begin reading at the beginning of the chapter. For ease of reading I'll use the CJB but the KJV and other versions are the same in the verses. I've added the bracketed comments for clarity:
Isaiah 7:1 During the days of Achaz the son of Yotam, the son of 'Uziyahu [Ahaz the son of Jotham], king of Y'hudah [Judah], Retzin the king of Aram and Pekach the son of Remalyah, king of Isra'el, advanced on Yerushalayim [Jerusalem] to attack it but were unable to conquer it.The context pertains to literal events taking place at the time. The situation looked hopeless to Ahaz and his people. He encourages them not to become demoralized by what they see.
2 It was told to the house of David that Aram and Efrayim had become allies. Achaz's heart began to tremble, as did the hearts of his people, like forest trees shaken by the wind.
3 Then ADONAI said to Yesha'yahu [Isaiah], "Go out now to meet Achaz [Ahaz], you and your son Sh'ar Yashuv, at the end of the aqueduct from the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderers' Field;
4 and say to him, 'Take care to stay calm and unafraid; don't be demoralized by these two smoldering stumps of firewood, by the blazing anger of Retzin and Aram or the son of Remalyah;
5 or because Aram, Efrayim and the son of Remalyah have been plotting against you, thinking, 6 "We will invade Y'hudah [Judah], tear it apart, divide it among ourselves and appoint the son of Tav'el as king there."
7 "'This is what Adonai ELOHIM [the LORD God] says: "It won't occur, it won't happen.When Ahaz learned that Aram's alliance with Ephraim had been achieved the Judaites were very worried! They were outnumbered and their enemies were approaching. There seemed to be no hope for them. However when God is on ones side there is always hope!
HaShem provided them hope by issuing a promise through His prophet Isaiah! Adonai ordered his prophet to meet with King Ahaz and assure him that he and his people -- the House of David -- would survive their latest challenge. Isaiah told Ahaz that the thing he feared "will not take place." Period! THIS is the central point of the chapter.
But still Ahaz and his people still doubted.
In order to reestablish Ahaz's faith as the leader of HaShem's people in the next few verses HaShem explains how HaShem will deliver the people of Judah and how things will go with the various peoples involved:
Isaiah 7:8 For the head of Aram is Dammesek, and the head of Dammesek Retzin. In sixty-five years Efrayim will be broken and will cease to be a people.So the navi explained that it was vital that Ahaz and his followers reestablish and maintain their faith in HaShem. Without faith it not possible to please Adonai (Hebrews 11:6)! It was in the Mind of Adonai to save His people and to preserve the (Messianic) line of David among them, however they needed to have faith. It was imperative that they relied on Adonai's deliverance.
9 The head of Efrayim is Shomron [Samaria], and the head of Shomron is the son of Remalyah. Without firm faith, you will not be firmly established."Likewise we have free will. HaShem ensures this and in order to receive His blessings we often must choose to be a suitable position to receive from Him. That was the case here. Yet both Ahaz and his people continued to doubt and so HaShem offered Ahaz a most remarkable boon:
Isaiah 7:10 ADONAI spoke again to Achaz; he said,Notice in this verse the reason Ahaz was offered a such a rare boon. He could ask HaShem for any sign that would bolster his faith in God's deliverance, for both himself and his people. The purpose of the offered sign was to rally the morale of the people involved, to rectify their doubts and to reestablish their faith in HaShem's protection. Adonai wanted to act through His people and yet His people had to be willing to be used as His hands and feet in the world!
11 "Ask ADONAI your God to give you a sign. Ask it anywhere, from the depths of Sh'ol [Sheol: the grave/the depths of the earth] to the heights above."Sound familiar? How often do people say "If I only knew God's Will...."
Despite this unprecedented offer to abate their doubts, for reasons not made clear in the text, Ahaz refused to ask for a sign when prompted by HaShem's representative! His rationale sounds good at first, very pious, but Ahaz was not being honest! If HaShem gave Ahaz proof then Ahaz knew he would have to act on it! One cannot trick the HaShem!
Isaiah 7:12 But Achaz [Ahaz] answered, "I won't ask, I won't test ADONAI."
13 Then [the prophet] said, "Listen here, house of David! Is trying people's patience such a small thing for you that you must try the patience of my God as well?
14 Therefore Adonai himself will give you people a sign: the young woman will become pregnant, bear a son and name him 'Immanu El [God is with us].
15 By the time he knows enough to refuse evil and choose good, he will [have to] eat curdled milk and [wild] honey.
16 Yes, before the child knows enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be left abandoned.
17 ADONAI will bring the king of Ashur on you, your people and your father's house. These will be days worse than any you've known since Efrayim broke loose from Y'hudah." [Judah]"You have no faith!" Isaiah charges not only Ahaz but all those with him. "Not only do you try my patience, but HaShem's as well!"
Using the faithless Ten Tribes (Ephraim) as an example, Navi Isaiah chastens Ahaz, king of Judah (King of the anointed ruling house of Judah). "Didn't HaShem stand with you and choose you even as Ephraim was divorced by Him due to their lack of faith" (Jeremiah 3:8)? And now, Navi Isaiah excoriates them, "Will you still refuse to believe Him!"
"OK then," the prophet says, "HaShem's Will IS going to happen! Since you refuse, He will choose a sign so that you will stand firm before your enemies in faith!"
This is what is happening here. HaShem is giving them a sign to force their hands!
The House Judah (the Jews) is vital to the Plan of Restitution being enacted by HaShem! As the anointed heir of Melekh (King) David, Melekh Y'shua came through the line of Judah (through Jesse and David) and will one day be crowned the King of the City of David, Yerushalayim, the eternal capital of Yehuda. What was happening here was therefore very important. Proof needed to be shown to those involved so they would stand in their faith.
The question at hand is, "Did this promise directly refer to haMoshiach and his birth or to something else?
Who was this divine sign for?
This is a very important question! We are advised to search the Tanakh to confirm that our interpretations are correct (Acts 17:11):
7:14 Therefore Adonai himself will give you people a sign:...The KJV has this as7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign..."Is it plausible to believe that this sign was given to a people facing immediate annihilation to bolster their faith when the fulfillment would not occur for 800 plus years in the future? Imagine this scenario:There are a few hundred armed terrorists heading towards your neighborhood with the stated objective of killing you. They've been wreaking havoc everyone and asking for you by name.
This prophecy was given for "you people," the people hearing the words of Isaiah at that place and time and under those circumstances.
A widely respected prophet approaches and to calm you he says, "Hey have faith! God is going to rescue you!" You are grateful but a bit dubious.
"Do you have any evidence for this assurance?" you ask.
"Sure, in the year 2812 a very special baby is going to be born."
Feel safer now?The text is clear enough when read in context. Did this promise by Isaiah to the fearful Ahaz have anything at all to do with the coming of the promised Shiloh? No. Clearly it was for Ahaz and his people who were at that time facing imminent destruction without the direct intervention of Adonai.
This sign was clearly for those Judaites huddled there in fear and indecision waiting for Ahaz to lead them. Nothing in the context even hints at anything other than that.
"Look I know you are all frightened. Deliverance is coming, but you have to hold on for a bit longer.
See that pregnant girl over there? By the time her baby is weened those who seeking your deaths will be no more!"Some Bible teachers have argued that since the text says the sign is for the House of David -- "Hear now, you house of David" -- it is for the House of David for all times. But notice verse 2, "Now the house of David was told..." The House of David HaShem is clearly speaking to -- through His Prophet -- are the followers of Ahaz present at that time and place.
"Therefore..." (to bolster your faith and martial your courage) the prophet of Adonai says ... because of something ... Because of what? Because these Judaites gathered with Ahaz were afraid to do their duty to HaShem -- and were thereby standing in the way of Adonai's Will (and the protection of the Messianic lineage) -- "Therefore," as the King James has it, "the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
When studying the Scriptures and finding a "therefore" or a "wherefore" always pause to determine what its there for! Without context one will be easily led astray.
To establish YOUR faith Ahaz, HaShem has determined to give YOU (Ahaz) and your fellow Judaites a sign that He is with YOU (that He will protect "you people" from these enemies you are afraid of). This is the whole crux of this event. The Judaites had lost faith that HaShem was with them. Navi Isaiah assures them that He is and that HaShem is prepared to prove it! Such an offer! Oy!
Almah
Then there is the matter of translation of a pivotal word that needlessly complicates matters. While the Vatican had ample opportunity to edit the texts of the B'rit Hadashah the Tanakh was carefully preserved by devoutly meticulous Jewish scribes. It could not be so easily altered to support Nicene beliefs. But no worries, since Judaizing was illegal Hebrew was becoming a dead language any way!
The word translated as "virgin" in the King James and other Nicene translations and intended to support of the virgin birth doctrine is "almah" in the Hebrew. Any Hebrew dictionary worth its salt will tell you that this word does not mean "virgin" and is not correctly translated that way except by editorializing ones interpretation.
Here's how Judaic a Press' Complete Tanakh translates this verse:
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore, the Lord, of His own, shall give you a sign; behold, the young woman is with child, and she shall bear a son, and she shall call his name Immanuel.The word almah means a young girl, a "maiden" or "damsel." That's all it means. One could argue that a young pious unmarried girl would be a virgin, but that is adding ones own interpretation. The text tells us nothing about this young mother, only that she was presently with child. Were this a prophecy about Miryam as the Nicene Church supposes we could add this, surely she was a righteous young woman. But this was, as stated, a sign given to these people at this time and place. There is no biblical reason to take this as a Messianic prophecy from Isaiah's words.An almah is a girl in her early teens. Nothing more.
Had Isaiah been inspired to say this girl would be a virgin, he would have called her a bethuwlah, a virgin. The passage therefore should read, as it does in the CT, the JPS and other translations:
JPS: Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: behold, the young woman shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.The baby was named Immanu El (Immanuel) as an assurance that God was with His people at that time.
Miryam's son was born 800 years later and named Y'shua not Immanuel. As stated above, Y'shua does not mean 'Immanu El ("God with us") but "Yah Shua" ("Adonai Saves") so the birth was not a fulfillment of the prophecy on this point either. If this was a Messianic prophecy Miryam misnamed him based on faulty information by Gabriel (Luke 131)!
Yeshiva
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