Religious Education
What does Emmanuel Mean?
“Emmanuel” is a name that means “God is with us.” It is a combination of the Hebrew words “El,” meaning “God,” and “Immanu,” meaning “with us.” The name appears in the Old Testament of the Bible, where it is used to refer to a specific person who is believed to be the Messiah or the Anointed One.
Emmanuel in the Old Testament
The name “Emmanuel” is mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 7:14, it is written: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” The name “Immanuel” is derived from the Hebrew words “El,” meaning “God,” and “Immanu,” meaning “with us.” Therefore, the name “Immanuel” means “God is with us.”
In this passage from Isaiah, the prophet speaks of a child who will be born and who will be called “Immanuel,” or “God with us.” This child is believed to be a symbol of God’s presence and salvation, and his coming is seen as a sign of hope and deliverance for the people of Israel.
The name “Emmanuel” is also mentioned in Isaiah 8:8, where it is written: “He will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.” Here, the name “Emmanuel” is used to refer to a person who will be both a source of protection and a source of stumbling for the people of Israel.
Overall, the name “Emmanuel” is used in the Old Testament of the Bible as a prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, or the Anointed One, who will be a source of salvation and hope for the people of Israel. It is a name that signifies the presence of God with his people and is a powerful reminder of the divine nature of the Messiah.
Emmanuel in the New Testament
In the New Testament of the Bible, the name “Emmanuel” is used to refer to Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is written: “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ – which means, ‘God with us.'” (Matthew 1:22-23)
Here, the name “Emmanuel” is used to refer to Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament. The name is seen as a reminder of Jesus’ divine nature and his role as the Son of God who came to earth to bring salvation to all people.
Emmanuel as Title of Jesus
he name “Emmanuel” is used as a title for Jesus in the Christian tradition because it signifies his divine nature and his role as the Savior of the world. The name “Emmanuel” means “God is with us,” and it is a powerful reminder of the belief that Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth to bring salvation to all people.
The use of “Emmanuel” as a title for Jesus highlights the belief that he is the embodiment of God’s presence and love, and that he came to earth to bring salvation and hope to all people. It is a powerful and meaningful name that is often used in the liturgical calendar of the Church and in devotional prayers and hymns.
Overall, the use of “Emmanuel” as a title for Jesus serves as a powerful reminder of his divine nature and his role as the Savior of the world, and it is a source of hope and inspiration for Christians.