Jesus was not named Immanuel

in a literal sense because the name “Immanuel,” which means “God with us,” was given as a prophecy rather than a personal name for Jesus.

In the Old Testament, specifically in Isaiah 7:14, the prophet Isaiah foretells the coming of a child who would be a sign of God’s presence and salvation to Israel. The prophecy states, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

When Jesus was born, he was given the name “Jesus” (Yeshua or Joshua in Hebrew), which means “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” This name was directly tied to his mission and purpose on earth—to save humanity from sin and reconcile them to God.

The name “Immanuel” in Isaiah’s prophecy symbolizes the fulfillment of God’s promise to be present with His people in a profound and intimate way through the birth of Jesus. Although Jesus was not named Immanuel as a personal name, his entire life and ministry embodied the reality of God dwelling among His people, fulfilling the prophecy of Immanuel in a spiritual and salvific sense rather than a literal name.

In the biblical context, the prophecy of Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14 is a significant Messianic prophecy that anticipates the coming of Jesus Christ. Here are more detailed points regarding this prophecy and its fulfillment:

1. **Prophecy in Isaiah 7:14**:

The prophecy was given to King Ahaz of Judah during a time of crisis when Judah was threatened by invading armies. Isaiah prophesied that a virgin would conceive and bear a son, and he would be called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” This was a sign of God’s presence and intervention in a troubled time.

2. **Fulfillment in Matthew 1:22-23**: The New Testament confirms that this prophecy finds its fulfillment in the birth of Jesus Christ. Matthew, in his Gospel, quotes Isaiah 7:14 and applies it to Jesus, stating that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a virgin who conceived by the Holy Spirit and gave birth to a son, fulfilling the prophecy of Immanuel.

3. **Meaning of Immanuel**: While Jesus was not named Immanuel as a personal name, the significance of the name lies in its meaning. Immanuel signifies the unique presence of God among His people through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Jesus, as the Son of God, embodied the reality of God dwelling with humanity in the fullest sense, reconciling humanity to God through his life, death, and resurrection.

4. **Spiritual Fulfillment**: The fulfillment of Immanuel goes beyond a mere name. It represents the fulfillment of God’s promise to be intimately present with His people. Through Jesus Christ, God’s presence was manifested in a tangible and personal way, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe in him.

5. **Symbolism and Application**: While Jesus’ given name was “Jesus,” the significance of the prophecy of Immanuel underscores the divine purpose of his birth. It emphasizes God’s initiative in entering human history to redeem and reconcile humanity to Himself. The name Immanuel, therefore, serves as a powerful symbol of God’s love, grace, and salvation through Jesus Christ.

In summary, while Jesus was not named Immanuel in a literal sense, his birth and life fulfilled the profound prophecy of Immanuel by embodying God’s presence and salvation among humanity. This fulfillment underscores the divine nature of Jesus and the fulfillment of God’s promises through him.