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

Luke 11:1 - Teach Us to Pray

Luke 11:1 - And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

"Teach us to pray" is "Teach us how to pray."  It is not "teach us what to pray."  Notice Matthew 6:9 says "After this manner therefore pray ye."  Not "in this formula" or "with these words" but "after this manner."  This model prayer is not given to be recited (Matthew 6:7-8) but to be emulated.  The difference between recitation and emulation is as subtle but as vast as the difference between the religious heathen and the child of God.

Matthew 7:12 - The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12 - Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

XRF - Matthew 22:39-40, where this same note could be applied.

The Golden Rule "is the law and the prophets."  The New Testament teaches that the purpose of the law is to show us our lack, our unrighteousness - for we can never keep it.  Galatians 3:10-25, etc.  So if the Golden Rule "is the law" according to Christ, then its purpose is to show us that we are in violation of the law, for we can never perfectly keep this rule.  It is also "the prophets" according to Christ.  The purpose of the law is to show our lack, while the prophets point us to Christ to fulfill our lacking (e.g., Isaiah 53, etc).  Christ is the only One Who kept the Golden Rule, yea more, when He died for us, loving His neighbor as Himself.  So the Golden Rule "is the law and the prophets" because as "the law" it shows us our need and as "the prophets" it points us to Christ as the One Who meets that need.  It is not a religion unto itself as the liberal would have it.  It is a pointer to Christ for the one who realizes he is a sinner fallen short.

VM