Isaiah 7:14 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God promises a sign so wonderful it carries His own name: a child who is God with us.
The Context of Isaiah 7:14
Spoken to King Ahaz of Judah during a war that had Jerusalem terrified. Two enemy kings were marching to depose him, and his heart was 'moved, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind' (Isaiah 7:2). Into that fear, God offers a sign of His faithfulness.
What Does Isaiah 7:14 Mean?
Ahaz is frightened, and God does not scold his fear so much as answer it with a promise. 'The Lord himself shall give you a sign.' Then comes the wonder: a child will be born, and His name will be Immanuel, which means 'God with us.' The name itself is the message. Whatever armies gather, whatever thrones tremble, God has not abandoned His people. He will be present among them in a way that can be named and held, a child whose very identity announces that heaven has come close.
Matthew opens his Gospel by lifting this verse straight onto the birth of Jesus: 'they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us' (Matthew 1:23). The promise made to a frightened king reaches its fullness in a manger. The Son born of Mary is God truly with us, fully sharing our humanity and fully bearing the name. The deepest answer to our fear is His nearness.
Isaiah 7:14 in the Original Language
immanu el (עִמָּנוּ אֵל), 'Immanuel' -- literally 'with us, God'; the name is itself the promise of God's presence.
How to Apply Isaiah 7:14 Today
When fear marches toward us and our hearts shake like trees in the wind, this is the sign God still holds out: He is with us. The name Immanuel means we are never left to face anything alone, because in Christ, God has come near and stays near. That presence is the steadiest comfort we have.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 7:14
What does Isaiah 7:14 mean?
God promises a sign so wonderful it carries His own name: a child who is God with us.
What is the context of Isaiah 7:14?
Spoken to King Ahaz of Judah during a war that had Jerusalem terrified. Two enemy kings were marching to depose him, and his heart was 'moved, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind' (Isaiah 7:2). Into that fear, God offers a sign of His faithfulness.
How can I apply Isaiah 7:14 today?
When fear marches toward us and our hearts shake like trees in the wind, this is the sign God still holds out: He is with us. The name Immanuel means we are never left to face anything alone, because in Christ, God has come near and stays near. That presence is the steadiest comfort we have.