Was Isaiah 7:14 really about a virgin?

Was Isaiah 7:14 really about a virgin?

Some people argue that Christians mistranslate Isaiah 7:14 by using the word virgin instead of young woman. They point out that the Hebrew word almah can mean maiden, and they claim that it does not necessarily mean virgin.

However, when we look closely, the word almah in the Bible always refers to a young unmarried woman. In those days, a young unmarried woman was naturally expected to be a virgin. For example, in Genesis 24:43 the same word is used when describing the bride being sought for Isaac.

This expectation was not unique to Israel. In other cultures too, a maiden was understood to be a virgin. In fact, centuries ago in English, the word virgin itself simply meant an unmarried maiden.

---

The Prophecy

In Isaiah’s time, the prophet was speaking to the house of David during a season of fear and uncertainty. His message was one of hope: a child would be born, and his name would be called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.”

---

The Fulfillment

Hundreds of years later, the Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell us that Jesus was born of Mary, a virgin from the line of David. Matthew even quotes Isaiah 7:14 directly, showing that this ancient promise was fulfilled in Jesus.

Because Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, he is truly Immanuel—God with us.

---

✨ In conclusion: Christians are not mistaken in reading Isaiah 7:14 as a prophecy of the virgin birth. The word almah carries the meaning of a young unmarried woman, which naturally implied virginity. Most importantly, this prophecy found its true fulfillment in the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, who came to be with us.