Emmanuel
Emmanuel means “God with us.” In Scripture it is a name-sign that points especially to Jesus Christ as the promised presence of God among His people.
At a Glance
Emmanuel means “God with us.” In Scripture it is a name-sign that points especially to Jesus Christ as the promised presence of God among His people.
Description
Emmanuel means “God with us,” a name given in Isaiah 7:14 and explicitly applied to Jesus in Matthew 1:23. In Isaiah, the sign assured God’s people that He was present and active in their history; interpreters differ on some details of the immediate historical reference, but the Gospel of Matthew makes clear that the name reaches its fullest meaning in the birth of Jesus Christ. In Him, God has come near to save His people, not merely by sending help but by the incarnation of the Son. For that reason, Emmanuel is both a messianic title and a theological summary of the Lord’s saving presence with His people in Christ.