King James Version

What Does Isaiah 7:14 Mean?

Isaiah 7:14 in the King James Version says “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his na...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel . shall call: or, thou, O virgin, shalt call”

Isaiah 7:14 · KJV

Context

12

But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.

13

And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel . shall call: or, thou, O virgin, shalt call

15

Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

16

For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

Read Isaiah 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This is one of Scripture's most celebrated Messianic prophecies. The virgin birth ('almah' in Hebrew, speaking of a young woman of marriageable age, translated 'parthenos'—virgin—in the Greek Septuagint) would be an unprecedented sign from God. The name 'Immanuel' meaning 'God with us' points beyond the immediate historical context to the incarnation of Christ, where deity and humanity unite in one person. Matthew 1:22-23 explicitly identifies Jesus's virgin birth as the fulfillment of this prophecy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah delivered this prophecy during King Ahaz's reign (circa 735 BC) when Judah faced invasion from Syria and Israel. Ahaz refused God's offer of a sign, yet God gave one anyway. While there may have been an initial partial fulfillment in Isaiah's time, the New Testament clearly presents Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment. The early church saw this as powerful evidence that Jesus was the promised Messiah, born of a virgin exactly as prophesied.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the virgin birth demonstrate both God's supernatural power and His desire to dwell intimately with humanity?
  2. What does the name 'Immanuel' reveal about Jesus's nature and His mission to reconcile God and man?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
לָ֠כֵן1 of 15
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יִתֵּ֨ן2 of 15

“himself shall give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֲדֹנָ֥י3 of 15

“Therefore the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

ה֛וּא4 of 15
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לָכֶ֖ם5 of 15
H0
א֑וֹת6 of 15

“you a sign”

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

הִנֵּ֣ה7 of 15
H2009

lo!

הָעַלְמָ֗ה8 of 15

“Behold a virgin”

H5959

a lass (as veiled or private)

הָרָה֙9 of 15

“shall conceive”

H2030

pregnant

וְיֹלֶ֣דֶת10 of 15

“and bear”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

בֵּ֔ן11 of 15

“a son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְקָרָ֥את12 of 15

“and shall call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁמ֖וֹ13 of 15

“his name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

עִמָּ֥נוּ14 of 15
H0
אֵֽל׃15 of 15
H6005

immanuel

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 7:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 7:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 1:23Isaiah 9:6Luke 1:31John 1:1-2John 1:14Luke 1:35

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