📖 Biblical Definition
First of four Messianic titles in Isaiah 9:6: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Hebrew pele yoetz can be read as one title (Wonderful Counsellor) or two (Wonderful, Counsellor). Either way, the word pele (wonder) is normally used only of God's miraculous acts; applied to the Messianic child, it is a deity-claim.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Isa 9:6 first Messianic title; deity-claim via word pele (wonder).
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First of four Messianic titles in Isaiah 9:6, the great Christmas-prophecy: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Hebrew pele yoetz — KJV reads as two titles; many modern translations read as one ("Wonderful Counsellor"). Either way, the noun pele (wonder) is striking: it is normally reserved for God's miraculous acts (e.g., the parting of the Red Sea, Exod 15:11). Applied to the Messianic child as His name, it is a deity-claim. He is not just a counselor who is wonderful; He is THE Wonder — the embodied wonder of God among men.
📖 Key Scripture
Isaiah 9:6 — "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 28:29 — "This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working."
Exodus 15:11 — "Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christmas-card reading misses the deity-claim embedded in the four titles.
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Christmas-card readings of Isaiah 9:6 treat the four titles as gentle praise. The cumulative force is a deity-claim: this child will bear God's own names. Wonder, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace — each carries divine weight. The prophecy is bold: a child is given, and He IS God-with-us.
Recover the cumulative weight: read all four titles together. The child is not just gifted; He is God.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew pele yoetz.
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['Hebrew', 'H6382', 'pele', 'wonder, marvel']
['Hebrew', 'H3289', 'yaats', 'to counsel, advise']
Usage
"First of four Messianic titles."
"Pele (wonder) reserved for God's acts."
"Christmas-prophecy with deity-claim."