Rabbi Michael Skobac – Christmas Special Part 1 – Isaiah 7:14 – Behold, The Virgin!
According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus was born of a virgin “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Join Rabbi Michael Skobac and Jono as they put this prophecy back in context. What did it mean and to whom was it given? Moreover, how does the New Testament application deviate from the original intent?
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Shalom,
I enjoyed the program. You mentioned there were examples of “almah” referring specifically to non virgins. I have reviewed the 9 occurrences in the TANAKH and have failed to find one. Could you please give me the references so that I could review and use them. Thanks so much.
Tim
G’day Tim,
There are three things that are concealed from me, and four that I do not know; יחשְׁלשָׁה הֵמָּה נִפְלְאוּ מִמֶּנִּי וְאַרְבָּעָ וְאַרְבָּעָה לֹא יְדַעְתִּים:
The way of the eagle in the heavens, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the heart of the sea, and the way of a man with a young woman. יטדֶּרֶךְ הַנֶּשֶׁר בַּשָּׁמַיִם דֶּרֶךְ נָחָשׁ עֲלֵי צוּר דֶּרֶךְ אֳנִיָּה בְלֶב יָם וְדֶרֶךְ גֶּבֶר בְּעַלְמָה:
So is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats and wipes her mouth, and she says, “I have committed no sin.” – Proverbs 30:18-20
Hi Jono,
I think you are connecting two separate thoughts here. The man and young woman is the third of three things. The adulterous woman is a new topic. I think if you read the context of the passage you would agree. Is that the only passage? Your cohost made it sound as though there were several examples – perhaps I misunderstood. Unfortunately I believe my study led me to the correct conclusion, there is no example of almah used as a definite non virgin. I know betulah is the Hebrew word for virgin but obviously Isaac’s wife was a virgin, Genesis 24:43, and Miriam was a virgin when called to have her mother nurse Moses, Exodus 2:8. In fact Solomon 6:8 seems to indicate that almah is a virgin. Anyway I appreciate your response but it appears there is really no evidence here, other then one would assume although an almah is a young maiden she is also a virgin. I’m simply trying not to read anything into the text and let the words speak to me. Have a great day!
Come on Jono. How can you even say this with a straight face. I like you and I like your stuff, but here you must have your tongue in your cheek?
Proverbs 30:18 certainly DOES mean virgin. It is talking about a man taking a young woman for the first time, that is what is wonderful. The word “alma” is always used in conjunction with an unmarried girl (maiden). There are no instances in the Tanakh where “alma” means anything other than a virgin.
The Isaiah 7:14 verse where the word “alma” is used certain does mean virgin. In polite society, an unmarried woman is always assumed to be a virgin. Besides, if it did not mean virgin, then where is the sign? If its not a virgin then an unmarried girl having a son is not a sign, it is a sin, and she needs to be stoned for playing the whore! Alma always means young, unmarried girl and thus always implies virgin. The only way Isaiah is describing a sign is if “alma” is, or at least implies, a virgin.
Your rabbi’s argument is ridiculous. He’s just Christian bashing, as are you. I have lots of trouble with lots of what the world calls Christian (they usually mean Catholic). Here, however, the Christians are correctly interpreting Isaiah 7:14. Isaiah is definitely talking about a virgin conceiving. That’s the sign given by YHVH.
You God deniers will stand before the judge of the whole Earth in your own naked righteousness; and your fears will become reality. How shall you escape, the damnation of Hell? Who will be laughing at your own calamity?
What finger will you lift up at the name of Jesus? You worm Jacob!
You’re kinda weird.
I agree to what the Jewish scriptures says, the explanation is exellent by Rabbi Michael skobac. Very good, and a very great effort. Thanks a lot. No doubt why Christians are confused, why so many denominations, non of them are true, so many people have been deceived and are still in darkness. As far as God’s word is concerned, the the Hebrew Scriptures are 100% correct and perfect. Christian bible is nothing but full of errors, corrupted and fabricated. Believe in God of Isreal. If you want to believe in God believe in the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Rest everything is false.