Monday, January 2, 2012

Brief Notes on Word "Virgin" or "Young Woman"

Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

"Virgin" is the Hebrew word "almah."  The Revised Standard Version translated it here as "young woman."  It was claimed by the translators that is what the word actually means.  If true, this removes a clear prophecy of Christ.  Does it mean "virgin" or does it simply mean "young woman."  The apostle Matthew answers.

Matthew 1:22-23 - Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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 quotes Isaiah but puts it in Greek instead of Hebrew.  He uses the Greek word "parthenos" which can only mean virgin.  There is no other meaning.

Matthew, a 1st Century Jew, certainly knew Hebrew language and customes better than the 20th Century translators of the Revised Standard Version.

The same God that inspired the Hebrew of Isaiah 7:14 inspired its Greek translation here.

VM

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