View source for Isaiah 7 14 Almah and Septuagint

{{MessiahNav|up=Is_Jesus_the_Jewish_Messiah|prev=Daniel_9_Jewish_vs_Christian_Readings|next=Psalm_110_Priest_King|start=Messiah_Reading_Guide}}

= Isaiah 7:14 (“almah”) and the Septuagint =

{{MessiahSources}}

== The debate in one sentence ==
Isaiah 7:14 is disputed because Christians often read it as a virgin-birth prophecy (in part via the Greek Septuagint and Matthew), while Jewish interpreters generally read it in Isaiah’s immediate historical context (Ahaz) and contest the translation/meaning.

== Key Hebrew term: “almah” ==
* “Almah” refers to a young woman of marriageable age; it does not explicitly mean “virgin” in every context (though it also does not exclude virginity).
* The Hebrew word that more directly means “virgin” is often identified as “betulah” (context still matters).

== Septuagint factor ==
The Greek Septuagint renders the term with a Greek word often translated “virgin,” which becomes part of the Christian argument because Matthew cites it.

== Common Jewish framing (summary) ==
* Isaiah 7 is addressing a specific historical crisis.
* The “sign” functions within that immediate context.
* Therefore, applying it directly to Jesus is a misreading/overreach.

== Common Christian framing (summary) ==
* Isaiah has an immediate context and a deeper typological fulfillment.
* Matthew’s use is treated as authoritative for Christians.
* The Septuagint usage supports the Christian reading (debated).

== Primary texts ==
<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.7.14?lang=en Isaiah 7:14], ''Sefaria'' (accessed 2026-01-18)</ref>
<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Matthew%201%3A23 Matthew 1:23], ''BibleGateway'' (accessed 2026-01-18)</ref>

<references />

{{MessiahNavbox}}

[[Category:Messiah]]
[[Category:Prophecy]]
[[Category:Christianity and Judaism]]