The name “Immanuel” (or “Emmanuel”) is a Hebrew word meaning “God with us.” It reflects the idea of God’s presence among His people, offering both comfort and assurance. The name is most notably used in the Bible to signify the coming of the Messiah, and it underscores the incarnation of God in human form through Jesus Christ.
### Biblical References:
1. **Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)**
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
– This prophecy in the Old Testament is given to King Ahaz, assuring him of God’s presence through a miraculous sign. It is later understood as a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ.
2. **Isaiah 8:8 (KJV)**
“And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.”
– The name here symbolizes God’s presence and protection of His people, even in the midst of judgment and challenges.
3. **Matthew 1:22-23 (KJV)**
“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.”
– The Gospel of Matthew explicitly connects the prophecy in Isaiah to the birth of Jesus Christ, affirming that He is the fulfillment of “Immanuel,” as God comes to dwell with humanity through Him.
The name “Immanuel” serves as both a promise and a reality of God’s close relationship with His people, culminating in the person and work of Christ.