An OT name given to Jesus Christ, meaning “God with us”.
Actual uses of the name Immanuel
Isaiah 7:14 The name was given originally to a child of Isaiah's day who would signify God's salvation and judgment for Judah; Isaiah 8:7–10 The original fulfilment of the Immanuel prophecy would bring judgment on Judah; Matthew 1:22–23 Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled through the virginal conception of Jesus Christ.
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
the Lord will surely bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates— the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel! Huddle together, O peoples, and be shattered; pay attention, all you distant lands; prepare for battle, and be shattered; prepare for battle, and be shattered! Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” ( which means, “God with us”).
The significance of Immanuel
God is with his people
Genesis 28:15 See also Exodus 33:14; Numbers 14:9; Deuteronomy 4:7; 2 Chronicles 13:12; Psalm 46:7, Psalm 46:11; Haggai 2:4; Romans 8:31; Hebrews 13:5
Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
God dwells with his people
Revelation 21:3 See also Leviticus 26:11–12; Ezekiel 37:27; 2 Corinthians 6:16
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
Jesus Christ is always with believers
Matthew 28:20 See also John 14:18, John 14:23, John 15:4–5, John 15:7; Acts 18:10; Galatians 2:20
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The Holy Spirit is always with believers
John 14:17 See also Romans 8:9–11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 2:22; 2 Timothy 1:14; 1 John 4:13
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.