What does Isaiah 7:14 mean?
Isaiah 7:14 is a sign that the Lord would give: a virgin would conceive and bear a son called Immanuel, meaning "God with us." Early Christian writers read this as a prophecy of Jesus’ virgin birth and his coming in real human flesh. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Novatian, and Lactantius all used the verse this way. They tied it closely to Matthew 1:23 and Luke 1:35.
111 early-church witnesses · 193 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What does Isaiah 7:14 mean?
Isaiah 7:14 gives Ahaz a sign that God himself will act: a virgin will conceive, bear a son, and call him Immanuel, which means "God with us." In the immediate sense, it is a promised sign from the Lord during a crisis in Judah. Early Christian writers read it as pointing to Jesus, especially his virgin birth and the truth that God came among his people in the flesh.
Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Passage context
Isaiah speaks to King Ahaz during a threat to Judah. God tells Ahaz to ask for a sign, and when Ahaz refuses, the Lord gives one anyway. The sign is tied to a child who will come and to the name Immanuel, showing that God is with his people. Isaiah 7:10-14 and the nearby lines about Immanuel help set the scene.
Why early Christian sources matter
Early Christian writers are important because they show how the earliest church read this verse. Justin Martyr and Irenaeus cite it as a prophecy of the virgin birth, and Tertullian, Origen, Novatian, and Lactantius explain Immanuel as "God with us." Their repeated use of the verse shows that this reading was common very early.
Common interpretation points
- A key debate is whether Isaiah 7:14 first referred only to Ahaz’s time or also pointed ahead to Christ; the Christian writers here strongly favor the Christ reading.
- Several writers focus on the word "virgin" and on Matthew 1:23, while others stress that Immanuel means "God with us."
- Some cards are more about the fuller context of Isaiah’s prophecy than about a line-by-line explanation of the verse.
Evidence-Based Summary
Early Christians overwhelmingly read Isaiah 7:14 as a prophecy of Jesus’ virgin birth and as a sign that God would be with his people in the Messiah. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Novatian, Lactantius, and others all used the verse this way, often linking it to Matthew 1:23 and Luke 1:35. They also argued that the name Emmanuel means "God with us," so the verse points to Christ’s real coming in the flesh, not just a symbolic sign in Isaiah’s own day.
The evidence is broad and repeated across the 2nd and 3rd centuries, though some writers also discuss the immediate setting with Ahaz and the sign given to the house of David. There is little sign of Christian disagreement on the basic virgin-birth reading, but some passages are more about application than detailed interpretation of Isaiah’s original historical context.
Key Takeaways
- Isaiah 7:14 was read by early Christians as a prophecy of Jesus’ virgin birth.
- Immanuel means "God with us," and writers used that phrase for Christ.
- Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Novatian, and Lactantius give repeated early witness.
Questions Answered by the Sources
What does Isaiah 7:14 mean in its original context?
Isaiah 7:14 is a sign from the Lord to King Ahaz during a real crisis in Judah. The child’s birth and the name Immanuel point to God being with his people. The verse sits in a larger prophecy, so the immediate setting matters, not just the name by itself.
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Isaiah 7:14 Direct teaching
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
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Isaiah 7:10 Background
Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
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Acts 7:3 Background
And the Lord said to Isaiah, Go forth to meet Ahaz, thou, and thy son Jashub who is left, to the pool of the upper way of the fuller’s field.
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Isaiah 8:8 Background
And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
Did early Christians say Isaiah 7:14 predicted the virgin birth of Jesus?
Yes. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Novatian, and Lactantius all used Isaiah 7:14 for Jesus’ virgin birth. They connected the verse to Mary, to Matthew 1:23, and to Luke 1:35 as the fulfillment of the sign.
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Justin Martyr, The First Apology Direct teaching
... again to how Isaiah explicitly foretold that He would be born of a virgin; for he spoke this way: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bring forth a son, and they shall call His name, ‘God with us.’” For things that were incredible and seemed impossible to people, these God predicted by the Spirit of prophecy as events that would happen, so that when they did happen, there would be no disbelief, but faith, because of their prediction. But lest some, not understanding the prophecy now referenced, accuse us of the very things we have accused the poets of, who say that Jupiter approached women through lust, let us try to explain the words. This, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive,” means that a virgin would conceive without intercourse. For if she had been with anyone, she would no longer be a virgin; but the power of God came upon the virgin, overshadowed her, and caused her to conceive while still a virgin. And the angel of God who was sent to the same virgin at that time brought her the good news, saying, “Behold, you shall conceive by the Holy Ghost, and you shall bear a Son, and He will be called the Son of the Highest, and you shall call His name Jesus; for He will save His pe
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Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Direct teaching
Furthermore, the prophecy, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son," was spoken about Him. For if the one to whom Isaiah referred was not to be born of a virgin, of whom did the Holy Spirit declare, "Behold, the Lord Himself shall give us a sign: behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son?" If He were also to be born from sexual intercourse like all other first-born sons, why did God say He would give a sign not common to all first-born sons? But the true sign, meant to be made trustworthy to humanity—that the first-born of all creation should become incarnate from the Virgin’s womb and be a child—this He anticipated by the Spirit of prophecy and predicted, as I have repeated to you in various ways, so that when it happened, it would be recognized as the work of the power and will of the Creator of all things; just as Eve was made from one of Adam’s ribs, and all living beings were created in the beginning by the word of God. But you dare to distort the interpretations given by your elders who were with Ptolemy, king of Egypt, since you claim that Scripture says, "Behold, the young woman shall conceive," as if great events were meant to occur because a woman conceiv
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching
... complete, the kingdom of heaven was near, and He resided within those who believed in Him, born as Emmanuel of the Virgin. They confirm this, stating that before Joseph united with Mary, she remained a virgin and was "found with child by the Holy Spirit." The angel Gabriel told her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, the holy one to be born of you will be called the Son of God." The angel told Joseph in a dream, "This happened to fulfill what Isaiah the prophet spoke: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son." The elders interpreted Isaiah's words: "And the Lord said to Ahaz, Ask for yourself a sign from your Lord God from the depths below or the heights above. Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not test the Lord. Then he said, It is not a small thing for you to tire men; how does the Lord tire them? Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and you will call His name Emmanuel. He will eat butter and honey. Before He knows to reject evil, He will choose good; before He knows good or evil, He will not choose evil, so He may select what is good." The Holy Spirit
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Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ Direct teaching
...way. About this, Isaiah foretold that the Lord Himself would give the sign. What then is the sign? "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son." Isaiah 7:14. Accordingly, a virgin did conceive and bear Emmanuel, "God with us." Matthew 1:23. This is the new birth: a man is born in God. And in this man God was born, taking the flesh of an ancient race, yet without the help of the ancient seed, so that He might renew it with a new seed, that is, in a spiritual manner, and cleanse it by the removal of all its ancient stains. But this whole new birth was prefigured, as in all other cases, in an ancient type. The Lord was born as man by a divine arrangement in which a virgin was the means. The earth was still in a virgin state. It had not yet been worked by any human labor, and no seed had yet been cast into its furrows, when, as we are told, God made man out of it into a living soul. Genesis 2:7. As then the first Adam is introduced to us in this way, it is a just inference that the second Adam likewise, as the apostle has told us, was formed by God into a quickening spirit out of the ground, that is, out of flesh not yet stained by any human generation. But, so that I may lose n
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Matthew 1:23 Background
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.
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Luke 1:35 Background
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
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Matthew 1:20 Background
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.
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Matthew 1:18 Background
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
More related quotations from this section 10 shown
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Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Direct teaching
“Moreover, the prophecy, ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,’ was uttered respecting Him.
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
Likewise the prophet Isaiah, Isaiah 7:14 whose words are these: Therefore God Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son;
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Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Supporting witness
In Isaiah Isaiah 7:14 it is thus written: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and you shall call His name Immanuel;
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness
Now this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which is, God with us;” clearly signifying that both the promise made to the fathers had been accomplished, that the Son of God was born of a virgin, and that He Himself was Christ the Saviour whom the prophets had foretold;
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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness
...ll see your life hanging in doubt night and day, and you shall not believe Him," Deuteronomy 28:66. Isaiah also points to Him: "There shall go forth a rod from the root of Jesse, and a flower shall grow up from his root," Isaiah 11:1. The same prophet also says, "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son," Isaiah 7:13. He refers to Him when he lists the healings that were to come from Him, saying, "Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall hear. Then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall be eloquent," Isaiah 35:3-6. He also speaks of Him when he sets forth the virtue of patience, saying, "His voice shall not be heard in the streets; a bruised reed shall He not destroy, and the smoking flax shall He not quench," Isaiah 13:2-3. He also speaks of Him when he describes His Gospel: "And I will ordain for you an everlasting covenant, even the sure mercies of David," Isaiah 55:3. He also speaks of Him when he foretells that the nations would believe in Him: "Behold, I have given Him for a Chief and a Commander to the nations. Nations that knew not You shall call upon You, and peoples that knew You not shall flee to
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness
...all see your life hanging in doubt night and day, and you shall not believe Him." Deuteronomy 28:66 Isaiah also points to Him: "There shall come forth a rod from the root of Jesse, and a flower shall grow up from his root." Isaiah 11:1 The same prophet also says, "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son." Isaiah 7:13 He refers to Him when he lists the healings that would come from Him, saying, "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall hear. Then the lame man shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb shall speak plainly." Isaiah 35:3-6 He also speaks of Him when he sets forth the power of His patience, saying, "His voice shall not be heard in the streets; a bruised reed He shall not destroy, and smoking flax He shall not quench." Isaiah 13:2-3 He also speaks of Him when he describes His Gospel: "And I will appoint for you an everlasting covenant, even the sure mercies of David." Isaiah 55:3 He also speaks of Him when he foretells that the nations would believe in Him: "Behold, I have given Him as a Chief and a Commander to the nations. Nations that did not know You shall call upon You, and peoples that did not know You shall flee
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Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ Supporting witness
...e sign of Christ’s birth, as Isaiah says: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: look, a virgin will conceive and bear a son." Isaiah 7:14 So then, we find what the sign is that will be spoken against: the conception and the giving birth of the Virgin Mary. About this, these sophists say, "She was a virgin and yet not a virgin; she gave birth and yet did not give birth," as though such language, if it must be spoken at all, would not fit us better than them. For she gave birth, because she brought forth offspring from her own flesh. Yet she did not give birth, since she did not bring Him forth from a husband’s seed. She was a virgin in regard to abstaining from a husband, and yet not a virgin in regard to bearing a child. However, there is not the equal line of reasoning that the heretics claim. In other words, it does not follow that, because she did not give birth in one sense, she who was not a virgin was still a virgin, simply because she became a mother without the fruit of her own womb. But with us there is no double meaning, nothing twisted into two senses. Light is light, and darkness is darkness. Yes is yes, and no, no. Whatever is more than these comes from
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
...rom the Lord your God, either in the depth or in the height above.” After that, the sign is given: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son.” What kind of sign, then, would it have been if a young woman who was not a virgin gave birth to a child? And which of the two is more fitting as the mother of Immanuel, that is, “God with us”? Is it a woman who has had relations with a man, and who has conceived in the usual way for women, or one who is still a pure and holy virgin? Surely only the latter is fitting to bring forth one at whose birth it is said, “God with us.” And if he is so argumentative as to say that the command, “Ask for yourself a sign from the Lord your God,” is addressed to Ahaz, we will ask in return: who in the time of Ahaz bore a son at whose birth the words “Immanuel,” that is, “God with us,” were used? And if no one can be found, then clearly what was said to Ahaz was said to the house of David, because it is written that the Savior was born from the house of David according to the flesh. And this sign is said to be in the depth or in the height, since He who descended is the same also who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all thi
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Background
For that He was to be born of a virgin, they read this prophecy: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emanuel.
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Luke 1:31 Background
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
What did early Christians mean by Emmanuel in Isaiah 7:14?
They said Emmanuel means "God with us" and used that meaning to explain why the verse points to Christ. Tertullian, Novatian, Victorinus, and Lactantius all say the name itself carries that meaning, not just a sound to repeat. For them, the name fits Jesus because God truly came near in him.
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Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness
... does not fit Him at any point. To begin with, you say that Isaiah’s Christ would have to be called Emmanuel, in Isaiah 7:14. Then you say that He takes the riches of Damascus and the spoils of Samaria against the king of Assyria. But the One who has come was neither born under that name, nor did He ever carry out any military action. However, I must remind you that you ought to look at the contexts of the two passages. For the explanation of Emmanuel is added right away: “God with us.” So you must consider not only the name as it is spoken, but also its meaning. The word Emmanuel is Hebrew, from the prophet’s own nation. But the meaning of the word, “God with us,” is made common to everyone by its interpretation. Ask, then, whether this name, “God with us,” which is Emmanuel, is not often used as the name of Christ, since Christ has enlightened the world. And I suppose you will not deny this, since you yourself admit that He is called “God with us,” that is, Emmanuel. But if you are so foolish that, because among you He is given the title “God with us,” and not Emmanuel, you therefore refuse to admit that He has come whose proper name is Emmanuel, as if this were not the same n
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Tertullian, An Answer to the Jews Supporting witness
Well then, Isaiah foretells that He ought to be called Emmanuel, and that afterward He is to take the power of Damascus and the spoils of Samaria, in opposition to the king of the Assyrians. Now they say, this Christ of yours who has come was neither called by that name nor engaged in warfare. But we, on the contrary, think they should also be warned to remember the context of this passage. For the interpretation of Emmanuel is added as well: “God with us,” so that you may consider not only the sound of the name, but also its meaning. For the Hebrew sound, which is Emmanuel, has the interpretation, “God with us.” Ask, then, whether this expression, “God with us,” which is Emmanuel, has commonly been applied to Christ ever since Christ’s light dawned, and I think you will not deny it. For those out of Judaism who believe in Christ, ever since they believed in Him, whenever they wish to say Emmanuel, mean that God is with us. And so it is agreed that He who was always foretold as Emmanuel has already come, because what Emmanuel means has come, that is, God with us. In the same way, they are led by the sound of the name when they understand the power of Damascus, and the spoils of Sam
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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Direct teaching
... same way Isaiah says, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall call His name Emmanuel,” which is interpreted, “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14). So Christ Himself says, “Lo, I am with you, even to the consummation of the world” (Matthew 28:20). Therefore He is God with us. Yes, and much more, He is in us. Christ is with us. Therefore it is He whose name is God with us, because He also is with us. Or is He not with us? How then does He say that He is with us? He, then, is with us. But because He is with us, He was called Emmanuel, that is, God with us. God, therefore, because He is with us, was called God with us. The same prophet says, “Be strengthened, you relaxed hands, and you feeble knees. Be consoled, you who are cowardly in heart. Be strong. Fear not. Lo, our God shall come with judgment. He Himself shall come, and shall save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall hear. Then the lame man shall leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall be eloquent.” Since the prophet says that at God's advent these should be the signs that come to pass, let men acknowledge either that Christ is the Son of God, at whose adven
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness
... same way Isaiah says, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall call His name Emmanuel,” which is interpreted, “God with us,” Isaiah 7:14. So Christ Himself says, “Look, I am with you, even to the end of the world,” Matthew 28:20. Therefore He is God with us. Yes, and much more, He is in us. Christ is with us. Therefore it is He whose name is God with us, because He also is with us. Or is He not with us? How then does He say that He is with us? He, then, is with us. But because He is with us, He was called Emmanuel, that is, God with us. Therefore, because He is with us, God was called God with us. The same prophet says: “Be strengthened, you relaxed hands, and you feeble knees. Be consoled, you who are cowardly in heart. Be strong. Do not fear. Look, our God shall return judgment. He Himself shall come and shall save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall hear. Then the lame man shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb shall be eloquent.” Since the prophet says that at God's coming these would be the signs that come to pass, let men acknowledge either that Christ is the Son of God, at whose coming and by w
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
...ty." Likewise the prophet Isaiah says in Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore God Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son; and you shall call His name Emmanuel." What could be more clear than this? The Jews read this, and yet denied Him. If anyone thinks these things were invented by us, let him ask them, and let him take the evidence especially from them. The testimony is strong enough to prove the truth when it is brought forward by enemies themselves. But He was never called Emmanuel, but Jesus, which in Latin is called Saving, or Saviour, because He comes bringing salvation to all nations. But by this name the prophet showed that God incarnate was about to come to men. For Emmanuel means God with us. Because when He was born of a virgin, men ought to confess that God was with them, that is, on the earth and in mortal flesh. Therefore David says in the eighty-fourth Psalm, "Truth has sprung out of the earth," because God, in whom truth is found, has taken a body from the earth, so that He might open a way of salvation to those of the earth. In the same way Isaiah also says in Isaiah 63:10, "But they disbelieved, and vexed His Holy Spirit; and He was
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Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Supporting witness
...s made strong, and conceived; and a virgin became pregnant, and became a mother in great mercy." In Isaiah 7:14, it is written: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall call His name Immanuel," which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23 For He was with us on the earth when He took on flesh. And He was no less God in man, and man in God. The prophets had already declared that He was both God and man. That He was God, Isaiah 45:14-16 declares in this way: "They shall fall down before You. They shall make supplication to You, since God is in You, and we did not know it, even the God of Israel. They shall be ashamed and confounded, all those who set themselves against You, and shall go into confusion." Jeremiah also says, in Baruch 3:35-37: "This is our God, and no other shall be compared to Him. He has found out all the way of knowledge, and has given it to Jacob His servant, and to Israel His beloved. Afterward He was seen upon earth, and lived among men." Likewise, that He was man, the same Jeremiah says: "And He is man, and who knew Him?" Isaiah also speaks this way in Isaiah 19:20: "And the Lord shall send them a man who shall save them, and with judgment sh
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
For Emmanuel signifies God with us; because when He was born of a virgin, men ought to confess that God was with them, that is, on the earth and in mortal flesh.
More related quotations from this section 12 shown
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness
...y son.'" "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel; which means, God with us." David also speaks of Him who, from the virgin, is Emmanuel: "Do not turn away the face of Your anointed. The Lord has sworn a truth to David and will not turn from him. Of the fruit of your body will I set upon your throne." And again: "In Judea, God is known; His place has been made in peace, and His dwelling in Zion." Therefore, there is one and the same God, who was proclaimed by the prophets and announced by the Gospel; and His Son, who was from the lineage of David’s body, that is, from the virgin of David's house, and Emmanuel; whose star Balaam also prophesied about: "There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a leader shall rise in Israel." But Matthew says that the Magi, coming from the east, exclaimed, "For we have seen His star in the east, and have come to worship Him;" and that, having been led by the star to the house of Jacob to Emmanuel, they showed, by these gifts they offered, who it was that was worshipped: myrrh, because it was He who would die and be buried for the mortal human race; gold, because He was a King, "of whose ki
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness
For in the same way as Isaiah says, Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall call His name Emmanuel, which is, interpreted, God with us;
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Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness
And to the house of David has been given a sign: for the Virgin bore, and was pregnant, and brought forth a son, and His name is Emmanuel, which is, God with us;
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness
He, then, is with us. But because He is with us He was called Emmanuel, that is, God with us.
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Tertullian, An Answer to the Jews Supporting witness
For they who out of Judaism believe in Christ, ever since their believing on Him, do, whenever they shall wish to say Emmanuel, signify that God is with us: and thus it is agreed that He who was ever predicted as Emmanuel is already come, because that which Emmanuel signifies has come — that is, God with us.
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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness
He, then, is with us. But because He is with us He was called Emmanuel, that is, God with us.
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel, which is, being interpreted, God with us.
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness
And you shall call His name Emmanuel; which is, interpreted, God with us.
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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness
And you shall call His name Emmanuel; which is, interpreted, God with us.
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Tertullian, An Answer to the Jews Supporting witness
For the Hebrew sound, which is Emmanuel, has an interpretation, which is, God with us.
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Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness
And thus it is evident that He is now come who was foretold as Emmanuel, because what Emmanuel signifies has come, that is to say, God-with-us.
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Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Background
For a virgin conceived, and bare Emmanuel, which, when interpreted, signifies, God with us: know it, O nations, and be overcome.
Common Questions
Did early Christians think Isaiah 7:14 predicted Jesus?
Yes. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Novatian, and Lactantius all used Isaiah 7:14 as a prophecy of Jesus’ virgin birth.
What does Immanuel mean in Isaiah 7:14?
Immanuel means "God with us." Several early Christian writers said this pointed to Christ’s coming among people.
Why did Christians connect Isaiah 7:14 to Matthew 1:23?
Matthew 1:23 repeats the same wording about the virgin, the son, and the name Immanuel, so early Christians saw the Gospel as the fulfillment of Isaiah.
Did early Christians believe Isaiah 7:14 was about Mary?
Yes. They linked the verse to the virgin birth of Jesus from Mary.
Did early Christians say Isaiah 7:14 meant only a sign in Ahaz’s day?
Some acknowledged the Ahaz setting, but the writers here mainly used the verse for Christ.
Source Index for Isaiah 7:14
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 193 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 111
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
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Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to John 1:14
Bible Passages 80 shown of 82
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Isaiah 40:28-31
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Isaiah 41:8-13
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Isaiah 43:16-21
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