As we draw close to Christmas, we anticipate, as our First Reading proclaims, that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel” (Isa. 7:14).
Some biblical scholars are quick to argue that the Hebrew word sometimes rendered “virgin” in Isaiah 7:14 is alma, which, strictly speaking, means “young maiden,” whereas the prophet refrains from using a word that explicitly means “virgin,” e.g., “bethulah.” And it’s also likely that Isaiah would not have, in his mere humanity, anticipated such a remarkable fulfillment to his words.
True enough, but would the prophet have denied such a wondrous deed possible for God? In addition, back in the Hebrew day, one could safely infer that a young maiden was a virgin.
More, to the point, St. Matthew definitively interprets Isaiah 7 with respect to Mary: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son” (Matt. 7:23).
Born Among Us
After all, if that Son is “Emmanuel” (Matt. 1:23) i.e., the God who “became flesh” (John 1:14; 8:58), should we be surprised that the same Incarnate Word could also be born of a virgin?
Also, the Messiah’s Davidic roots, which are hinted at in our First Reading, are drawn out in today’s Gospel by the angel Gabriel:
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:30–33).
Prophecies Coming True
Jacob, whose father was Isaac, whose father was Abraham (Matt. 1:1–2), whom God promised he would bless all the nations through his offspring (Gen. 22:18). That prophecy, and various others, were coming true in the conception and birth of Jesus.
When Mary wonders how such can occur, since “I know not man” (Luke 1:34), Gabriel declares she will miraculously conceive, invoking how God was most intimately present in the Old Covenant tabernacle with the ark of the covenant:
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
Gabriel uses the same expression that is used in the Greek version of Exodus 40:35 to describe how Yahweh “overshadowed” the tabernacle (and ark). (The Greek version of the Old Testament is called the “Septuagint,” whereas the more commonly version was written in Hebrew.)
What Can God Do?
Indeed, this will be a miraculous conception and thus a Virgin Birth. And what can God do for his Blessed Mother, who “proclaims the greatness of the Lord” (Luke 1:46), and for her cousin Elizabeth, “who was called barren” (Luke 1:36), he can do for us, even if it’s not quite as dramatic. For what is most important in our lives, “nothing will be impossible for God” (Luke 1:37). Come, Lord Jesus!
Thanks, Jerry. And may the readers of the KJV be led to full communion through the intercession of the same Blessed Virgin Mary, our Blessed Mother! A blessed culmination to Advent and Christmas Octave to you, your family, and your friends as well!
Matthew quotes the LXX ‘parthena’ which translates Virgin. Agree with you Hebrew alma v. Bethulah comment. Interesting that the king James version Bible, knowing the importance of Isaiah 7:14, uses the word virgin stealing the same from the LXX that it rejects. I apologize for this comment being rather technical, given your reflection which is quite well written and whose main point is God’s unlimited ability to bring about his plan. As you note Luke likewise uses the LXX with episkiazō.
Thank You. God Bless and have a Merry Christmas with your family and friends.
Thanks, Jerry. And may the readers of the KJV be led to full communion through the intercession of the same Blessed Virgin Mary, our Blessed Mother! A blessed culmination to Advent and Christmas Octave to you, your family, and your friends as well!