Topical Bible: Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Being Born a Virgin

Bible > Topical > Prophecies Respecting Christ

◄ Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Being Born a Virgin ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The prophecy concerning the virgin birth of Christ is a foundational element in Christian theology, signifying the miraculous nature of Jesus' entrance into the world and affirming His divine origin. This prophecy is primarily rooted in the Old Testament and finds its fulfillment in the New Testament narratives.

Old Testament Prophecy

The prophecy of the virgin birth is most explicitly stated in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 7:14 declares, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This prophecy was delivered during a time of political turmoil for the kingdom of Judah, serving as a sign of hope and divine intervention. The term "Immanuel," meaning "God with us," underscores the divine nature of the child to be born.

The Hebrew word used in Isaiah, "almah," has been a subject of discussion, traditionally understood within Christian theology to mean "virgin," aligning with the Septuagint's Greek translation "parthenos," which explicitly means "virgin."

New Testament Fulfillment

The fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, which detail the circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth. Matthew 1:22-23 explicitly connects the birth of Jesus to Isaiah's prophecy: "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel' (which means, 'God with us')."

The Gospel of Luke provides additional details about the virgin birth. In Luke 1:26-35 , the angel Gabriel visits Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, and announces that she will conceive a son by the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:34-35 records Mary's response and the angel's explanation: "Mary asked the angel, 'How can this be, since I am a virgin?' The angel replied, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.'"

Theological Significance

The virgin birth is a cornerstone of Christological doctrine, emphasizing the union of divine and human natures in the person of Jesus Christ. It affirms the belief in Jesus as the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, thus fulfilling the ancient prophecy and establishing His identity as Immanuel, "God with us."

This miraculous event is celebrated in Christian tradition as a testament to God's sovereign plan and His ability to intervene in human history in extraordinary ways. The virgin birth underscores the uniqueness of Christ's mission and His role as the Savior of humanity, bridging the gap between God and mankind through His incarnation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Isaiah's Prophecies Considered the virginity of Christ's Mother a ...
... Other Prophecies Also Signs. ... those eastern magi wait on the new-born Christ, presenting
to ... round about, gold and silver." [3274] Moreover, respecting that gift ...
/.../chapter xiii isaiahs prophecies considered the.htm

I Think, Then, that it Has Been Pretty Well Established not Only ...
... the future,"as, eg, regarding Christ and the ... concerning Him,"but also prophecies
respecting particular events ... having marital intercourse with his wife until ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxvii i think then.htm

Against Heresies
... Their views as to the prophecies. ... as to their own origin: their opinions respecting
the Demiurge shown ... Chapter VI.--Explanation of the words of Christ, "No man ...
//christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/

Whosoever Confesses that one God is the Author of Both Testaments ...
... that the prophets have declared respecting Christ and the ... also judge those who describe
Christ as [having ... wicked spirit, pretend to utter prophecies, while all ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii whosoever confesses that one.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... composed) before the advent (of Christ) that the ... 2932] For if the judgment respecting
the "Jew ... Moreover, there are many prophecies which predict regarding ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

Of the Synod at Ariminum, and the Creed There Published.
... The prophecies of these holy men do indeed mark ... and had not undertaken to write
respecting the Catholic ... own reign through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whose ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xxxvii of the synod at.htm

Index of Subjects.
... the Hebrew, and their prophecies respecting Christ, defended against ... Secundinus,
Augustin's estimate of his reply to the ... of God in, liberated by being eaten by ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /index of subjects.htm

John Chapter ii. 11-Jan
... Prophecies are fulfilled, the water-pots are full; but ... as our time permits, mention
certain facts respecting the several ... how did John show that Christ was sent ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate ix john chapter ii.htm

Subject Index
... Isaiah, his prophecy respecting the virgin conceiving, vindicated against ... but Simon
of Cyrene in His stead, [1306 ... and Christ, proved from the writings of Paul ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... revelations in the cave of Elijah respecting the coming of ... About 200 years before
Christ's birth I saw ... buds in question and uttered his prophecies according to ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm