עִ מָָּ נוּ־אֵ ל
IMMANU-EL
Ἐμμανουήλ
EMMANOUEL
The name Immanuel appears twice in the Hebrew Scriptures and once in the New Testament. One of the most comforting of all the names and titles of Jesus, it is literally translated “with us is God” or, as Matthew’s Gospel puts it, “God with us.” When our sins made it impossible for us to come to Him, God took the outrageous step of coming to us, of making Himself susceptible to sorrow, familiar with temptation, and vulnerable to sin’s disruptive power in order to cancel its claim. In Jesus we see how extreme God’s love is. Remember this the next time you feel discouraged, abandoned, or too timid to undertake some new endeavor.
For Jesus is still Immanuel — He is still “God with us.”
Key Scripture
All this happened so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true: “The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they will name Him Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” — Matthew 1:22–23
God Reveals His Name in Scripture
Open your personal Bible translation and read the same passage. Make note when you see the name IMMANUEL.
18 The birth of Yeshua Christ took place in this way. His mother Mary had been promised to Joseph in marriage. But before they were married, Mary realized that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. 20 Joseph had this in mind when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a Son, and you will name Him Yeshua [He Saves], because He will save His people from their sins.” 22 All this happened so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true: 23 “The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they will name Him Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”
Understanding the Name
The name Immanuel (im-ma-nu-AIL) first appears in Isaiah 7:14 as part of a prophetic word that Isaiah spoke to King Ahaz of Judah (the southern kingdom) at a time when Aram and Israel (the northern kingdom) had formed a coalition against Assyria. The prophet Isaiah counseled Ahaz not to join in their uprising against Assyria, he urged Ahaz to trust in the Lord. Then the prophet invited Ahaz to ask the Lord for a sign to confirm the prophetic word, but the king refused.
In response to Ahaz’s refusal to trust God, Isaiah proclaimed: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 NIV
Matthew’s gospel recalls Isaiah’s prophecy, applying it to the child who would soon be born to Mary (Matthew 1:22–23). The sign given hundreds of years earlier was meant for all God’s people. In fact, the Bible is nothing if not the story of God’s persistent desire to dwell with His people. In Jesus, God succeeded in a unique way, becoming a man in order to save the world not from the outside, but from the inside. Immanuel, God with us, to rescue, redeem, and restore our relationship with Him.
Connecting to the Name
- What does this title of Jesus reveal about His nature?
- How have you experienced Immanuel — God being with you in your life thus far? See if you can recall a specific time in your life when God seemed especially near or think about all the small signs of his presence in your life.
- When have you struggled to believe that God is living up to His name? That he truly is with you?
- Matthew begins and ends his gospel (see Matthew 28:20) with the promise that God is with us. How would your life be different if you began and ended each day with the firm belief that God is with you?
- Jesus said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (see Hebrews 13:5). How should this truth affect your perspective, especially in difficult times?
- Describe times in your life when you have not been with God. How might this have affected your experience of Immanuel?
Praying a Passage with God’s Name
Thank God for His persistence in pursuing you. Ask Him to increase your confidence in His desire to be with you. Focus on the meaning of the name Immanuel, God with us, as you read Psalm 139:7–10.
7 Where can I go to get away from Your Ruach? Where can I run to get away from You? 8 If I go up to Heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in hell, You are there. 9 If I climb upward on the rays of the morning sun or land on the most distant shore of the sea where the sun sets, 10 even there Your hand would guide me and Your right hand would hold on to me.
Praying the Name Immanuel for Myself
Look up and read: John 15:9–12
How can you remain one with Immanuel? In His conversation with His disciples just before His death, Jesus assures them that obedience allows them to live in His love. Ask God to lead you into deeper obedience.
Promises from Immanuel
11 But Moses said to Elohim, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 Elohim answered, “I will be with you. And this will be the proof that I sent you: When you bring the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship Elohim on this mountain.” — Exodus 3:11–12
20 Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. “And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.” — Matthew 28:20
For Deeper Study
Read the following passages, considering the name IMMANUEL and how its meaning relates to the context of the passage.
Genesis 28:15, Exodus 3:11–12, Joshua 1:5–9, Isaiah 8:10, Matthew 28:20, John 14:15–21, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Hebrews 13:5–6
Excerpted with permission from Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks by Ann Spangler, copyright Ann Spangler.
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Your Turn
Jesus came to be with us! That’s why He is called Immanuel. Let’s obey and worship Him today! ~ Devotionals Daily