📖 Biblical Definition
Emmanuel (or Immanuel, Hebrew Immanu El) is the Messianic name prophesied by Isaiah to wavering King Ahaz: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). Matthew explicitly applies it to the conception of Christ: "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matthew 1:22-23). The name combines deity (El, God) with covenantal presence (Immanu, with us). Christ is therefore God Himself in the flesh, dwelling among His people.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
EMMANUEL, n.
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A scriptural Messianic name; literally “God with us.”
📖 Key Scripture
Isaiah 7:14 — "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Matthew 1:23 — "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
Isaiah 8:8 — "O Immanuel."
Matthew 28:20 — "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern spirituality seeks a vague distant divinity; the gospel preaches God-with-us in person.
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Emmanuel is the most concentrated theological name in Scripture: God, with, us. Each of the three words matters. God — not a vague higher power but the LORD, Creator of heaven and earth. With — not at a distance, not in principle, but in proximity, in person, in flesh. Us — not just with the holy or the righteous, but with humanity at large, including the Bethlehem manger and the Calvary cross.
Modern spirituality often seeks a vague distant divinity. The gospel preaches the opposite: God came down, took on flesh, walked among us, ate our food, wept our tears, died our death, and rose for our justification. Emmanuel is not a Christmas decoration; it is the heart of the gospel. He is still with us; the same Lord said I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek/Hebrew roots below.
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H6005 — Immanu-El — Emmanuel; God with us
H410 — El — God
Usage
"Modern spirituality seeks vague distant divinity; the gospel preaches God-with-us in person."
"God, with, us — each word matters; the gospel rests on all three."
"Emmanuel is not a Christmas decoration; it is the heart of the gospel."