VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS

OVERVIEW OF VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS

By Dennis Schmidt 3/2007

RETURN TO THE: BIBLE PAPERS HOME PAGE

This paper discusses the virgin birth of Jesus from His mother Mary. The prophecy of the virgin birth consists of a three part divine sign/wonder. The three parts were fulfilled in the Old Testament through Isaiah, his wife and his child. The three parts were uniquely and divinely fulfilled in the New Testament by Jesus and Mary. Also discussed is the need for Jesus to be born of a virgin for his sinless life and fulfillment of an obscure prophecy. The paper looks at the two Hebrew words for virgin and Greek Septuagint virgin use. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

INDUCTIVE COMMENTS:

THEME: A woman who is a virgin has never engaged in sexual intercourse.

The Jewish reader would never have understood a virgin to mean that a woman without a man could produce a child. We understand this only because of the New Testament. The reason for Jesus birth this way was for Him to be born without sin. He is both true God (born of the Holy Spirit) & true man (born of his human mother Mary).

The Hebrew words for virgin are 'almah and bethuwlah. 'Almah is found seven times in the King James' version (KJV) Old Testament. The other word, bethuwlah, is found fifty times in the King James' version. The Hebrew word 'almah means a pure virgin and its use is more specific then that of the general word Bethuwlah.

'Almah:

The KJV translates 'Almah as virgin (4 times), maid (2), & damsels (1). 'Almah is also used for a young woman near the married age. This was true of Mary, Jesus mother & the second wife of Isaiah who prophesied to have a child in Isaiah 8:3. This child fulfills Isaiah 7:14 also. Four scriptures of 'almah have a "the" (meaning unique one) before virgin. Isaiah 7:14 & Proverbs 30:19 have a "a" (single one), Song of Solomon 6:8 did not include: the or a. Shown are seven 'almah scriptures & my judgment of their backgrounds:

Genesis 24:43 This is Rebekah a young woman who will married Isaac. She is most likely a true virgin. Genesis 24:16 uses the more general virgin word Bethuwlah for her as well.

Bethuwlah:

The KJV translates Bethuwlah (50 times) as virgin(s), maid(s) & maiden(s). The use of bethuwlah could be a woman or nation (Israel or Judah). It also may be used for people who were not pure before God as a harlot in Jeremiah 31:4, 21 (Israel people) & Joel 1:8 (older married woman).

Isaiah 7:11, 14

Matthew 1:20-23 Isaiah 14:7 Fulfilled in Matthew 1:23 in New Testament. Joseph knew this was the virgin birth, God's son, & Immanuel or Emmanuel (God with us).

PURPOSE:

Isaiah 7:11, 14

God shows three signs/wonders in this prophecy:

- A young woman having a normal birth child would not be a God's sign, especially, a sign in either the depth or height above. The true virgin birth of Jesus to Mary, without a man, meets the signs and wonders definition.

Genesis 3:15 A woman does not have a seed: only Mary

- A woman bearing a normal birth son would not be a God's sign. Jesus is both the son of God and son of man (represented all mankind's sins to God for their sacrifice). Jesus often referred to Himself as son of man.

Luke 24:7

- A man named Immanuel (God with us) would not be God's sign. Jesus is God with us. The God of heaven came down and abided with man as both true God and true man to be our sin bearer & savior.

Galatians 4:4

KEY VERSE:

Isaiah 7:11, 14

Matthew 1:20-23 Isaiah 14:7 Fulfilled in Matthew 1:23 in New Testament. Joseph knew this was the virgin birth, God's son, & Immanuel or Emmanuel (God with us).

WHO: God mainly by Bible authors Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Matthew, Luke, and Paul

TO WHOM: Elected Christians

WHAT:

Mary knew her child was from the Holy Spirit. She accepted the virgin roll as God's son would come by her. Joseph also knew the child was by the Holy Spirit. She did not have a normal sexual union with Joseph until after Jesus birth. Jesus came by a virgin.

Matthew 1:18 God's seed

Matthew 1:20-23 Isaiah 14:7 Fulfilled in Matthew 1:23 in New Testament. Joseph knew this was the virgin birth, God's son, & Immanuel or Emmanuel (God with us).

Luke 1:31-32 JESUS means saviour. Mary knew the child was by the Holy Spirit, is God's son & Immanuel (God with us).

WHY: The Old Testament prophecy was given to a wicked Judah king, Ahaz, by the prophet Isaiah to prove that God was going to deliver Judah from the kings of Syria and Israel. These wicked nations were going up against Judah. The prophet Isaiah foretold that they would not succeed & that both the kings would die. Isaiah asked Ahaz to inquire of God for a divine sign which he refused. Never-the-less, God gave Ahaz the sign of the virgin producing a child. To them, this was fulfilled by Isaiah's second virgin wife having a son within a year or so. The first fulfillment was required or Isaiah would have of been labeled a false prophet. This prophecy had a more literal fulfillment in the Virgin Mary, some 750 years later, having the God's son without man's seed producing the child. The prophecy also stated that the child would be God with us.

The miracle to King Ahaz was that Syria and Israel would not succeed and that both of their kings were killed. The birth of Isaiah's child was only a time table for when this would occur.

Isaiah 7:10-16 Ahaz was told that both kings would be killed: The sign was to the save Judah. God will protect Judah for His Messiah.

WAY:

For Isaiah to be considered a true prophet the prophecy must be fulfilled within about three years as the prophecy included time. I am suggesting that Isaiah fulfilled this prophecy by Isaiah's married to his second virgin wife with a son by Isaiah. He would of said that God has blessed us by His presents through the child.

Isaiah 8:3-4 This is located about a half chapter from the original prophecy.

WHEREAS:

Matthew 1:18 God's seed

Matthew 1:20-23 Isaiah 14:7 Fulfilled in Matthew 1:23 in New Testament. Joseph knew this was the virgin birth, God's son, & Immanuel or Emmanuel (God with us).

Luke 1:31-32 JESUS means saviour. Mary knew the child was by the Holy Spirit, is God's son & Immanuel (God with us).

WHERE: Israel

WHEN: About 750 BC at Jesus birth

WHILE:

Jeremiah 22:28, 30 See Jeremiah 22:24-30. Coniah, who did evil, is cursed by God & will never have an heir which would sit on the throne of David. Joseph is seed through Coniah. Jesus is legally through the line of Joseph to King David. Jesus is not of the seed of Coniah.

1 Chronicles 3:17-18 Coniah's heir

Matthew 1:11-12 Joseph's genealogy includes Jeconiah = Jechonias = Coniah who was cursed. However, Jesus is not from the seed of Joseph so He can sit on the throne of David through Joseph. Tribe comes from the father and Jewish relationship from the mother.

WANT:

Jewish interpreters translated the Hebrew Bible into the Greek Septuagint about 250 BC. They translated Isaiah 7:14 "virgin" into the Greek word parthenos which means a pure virgin near a marriage age. These Jewish Interpreters knew nothing of Jesus birth since it was 250 years away. The Jewish Bible has all the letters written together without any punctuation marks. Therefore, the Jewish Interpreters needed an understanding of the Oral law to translate the written law correctly for the Septuagint. A gentile could not have translated the Jewish scriptures as he does not know the Oral law. The present Jewish Jerusalem Tanakh English Bible is almost identical to the King James' version Old Testament. This provides credit to the King James as a correct Hebrew translation.

The apostles wrote the New Testament in Greek. In general, when they quoted from the Old Testament, they used the Septuagint Greek translation for their quotes. The Hebrew wording can vary between the Old and New Testaments because of the source translations. God uses the source translation differences to show His messages to us.

WAIT: DEFINITION OF A TRUE VIRGIN:

A woman who is a virgin has never engaged in sexual intercourse.

'Almah:

Genesis 24:43 This is Rebekah a young woman who will married Isaac. She is most likely a true virgin. Genesis 24:16 uses the more general virgin word Bethuwlah for her as well.

Bethuwlah:

A list of the bethuwlah scriptures:

Genesis 24:16 (Rebekah); Exodus 22:16, 17 (maid - not betrothed/virgin cost); Leviticus 21:3 (Priest sister/virgin), 14 (High Priest virgin of his people); Deuteronomy 22:15-24, 19, 23, 28; Judges 19:24, 21:12; 2 Samuel 13:2 (Tamar), 18; 1 Kings 1:2; 2 Kings 19:21; 2 Chronicles 36:17; Esther 2:2, 3, 17, 19; Job 31:1; Psalms 45:14, 78:63, 148:12; Isaiah 23:4, 12, 37:22, 47:1, 62:5; Jeremiah 2:32, 14:17, 14:17, 18:13, 31:4, 13, 21, 32:25, 46:11, 51:122; Lamentations 1:4, 15, 18, 2:10, 13, 21, 5:11; Ezekiel 9:6, 44:22; Joel 1:8; Amos 5:2, 8:13; Zechariah 9:17

Follows are just a few scriptures examples of the use of bethuwlah:

Genesis 24:16 Rebekah here Bethuwlah and in Genesis 24:43 'Almah

PAPER OUTLINE:

I) PROMISE MADE TO KING AHAZ TO CONVINCE HIM OF JUDAH'S PROTECTION:

II) PROPHECY FULFILLED TO KING AHAZ OF THE SIGN/MIRACLE TO SAVE JUDAH:

III) FIRST VIRGIN PROPHECY WAS FULFILLED BY ISAIAH'S WIFE & CHILD BIRTH:

IV) DEFINITION OF A TRUE VIRGIN:

IV) TWO HEBREW OLD TESTAMENT WORDS ARE FOUND FOR VIRGIN:

A) 'Almah:

B) Bethuwlah:

V) TOPICAL BIBLE VIRGIN FINDS:

VI) SEPTUAGINT-HEBREW OLD TESTAMENT TRANSLATED TO GREEK OLD TESTAMENT:

VII) NEW TESTAMENT WRITERS QUOTE SEPTUAGINT TRANSLATION:

VIII) VIRGIN BIRTH TO MARY IN NEW TESTAMENT IS ISAIAH 7:14 FULFILLMENT:

IX) CHILD BORN TO VIRGIN IS TO BE CALLED IMMANUEL - GOD WITH US:

X) THE SEED, WHICH ALSO CARRIES MAN'S SIN, PRODUCES THE CHILD:

XI) JOSEPH IS JESUS FATHER BY MARRIAGE TO MARY BEFORE JESUS IS BORN:

XII) JOSEPH'S GENEALOGY INCLUDES CONIAH WHO IS CURSED FOR NO KING HEIR:

XIII) SIGN/WONDER BY GOD:

XIV) CONCLUSION OF MARY'S VIRGIN BIRTH:

I) PROMISE MADE TO KING AHAZ TO CONVINCE HIM OF JUDAH'S PROTECTION:

The Old Testament prophecy was given to a wicked Judah king, Ahaz, by the prophet Isaiah to prove that God was going to deliver Judah from the kings of Syria and Israel. These wicked nations were going up against Judah. The prophet Isaiah foretold that they would not succeed & that both the kings would die. Isaiah asked Ahaz to inquire of God for a divine sign which he refused. Never-the-less, God gave Ahaz the sign of the virgin producing a child. To them, this was fulfilled by Isaiah's second virgin wife having a son within a year or so. The first fulfillment was required or Isaiah would have of been labeled a false prophet. This prophecy had a more literal fulfillment in the virgin Mary, some 750 years later, having the God's son without man's seed producing the child. The prophecy also stated that the child would be God with us.

The miracle to King Ahaz was that Syria and Israel would not succeed and that both of their kings were killed. The birth of Isaiah's child was only a time table for when this would occur.

Isaiah 7:10-16 Ahaz was told that both kings would be killed: The sign was to the save Judah. God will protect Judah for His Messiah.

II) PROPHECY FULFILLED TO KING AHAZ OF THE SIGN/MIRACLE TO SAVE JUDAH:

2 Kings 16:5 Kings attaching Judah will be killed.

2 Kings 15:29-30 King against Judah

2 Kings 16:9 King against Jews

III) FIRST VIRGIN PROPHECY WAS FULFILLED BY ISAIAH'S WIFE & CHILD BIRTH:

Isaiah 8:3-4 This is located about a half chapter from the original prophecy.

IV) DEFINITION OF A TRUE VIRGIN:

A woman who is a virgin has never engaged in sexual intercourse.

IV) TWO HEBREW OLD TESTAMENT WORDS ARE FOUND FOR VIRGIN:

A) 'Almah:

Genesis 24:43 This is Rebekah a young woman who will married Isaac. She is most likely a true virgin. Genesis 24:16 uses the more general virgin word Bethuwlah for her as well.

Exodus 2:8 This is the sister of Moses, Miriam, who is sent by Pharaoh's daughter to find Moses' mother to care for the baby Moses. She is most likely a virgin child.

Psalms 68:25 Most likely Virgins.

Proverbs 30:19 A man & virgin wife on wedding night.

Song of Songs 1:3 Many virgins would love to be married to king Solomon. These are most likely virgins.

Song of Songs 6:8 Woman in groups comprising wives or queens, concubines (not virgins) and virgins.

Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah's wife & later Mary the mother of Jesus.

B) Bethuwlah:

A list of the bethuwlah scriptures: Genesis 24:16 (Rebekah); Exodus 22:16, 17 (maid - not betrothed/virgin cost); Leviticus 21:3 (Priest sister/virgin), 14 (High Priest virgin of his people); Deuteronomy 22:15-24, 19, 23, 28; Judges 19:24, 21:12; 2 Samuel 13:2 (Tamar), 18; 1 Kings 1:2; 2 Kings 19:21; 2 Chronicles 36:17; Esther 2:2, 3, 17, 19; Job 31:1; Psalms 45:14, 78:63, 148:12; Isaiah 23:4, 12, 37:22, 47:1, 62:5; Jeremiah 2:32, 14:17, 14:17, 18:13, 31:4, 13, 21, 32:25, 46:11, 51:122; Lamentations 1:4, 15, 18, 2:10, 13, 21, 5:11; Ezekiel 9:6, 44:22; Joel 1:8; Amos 5:2, 8:13; Zechariah 9:17

Follows are just a few scriptures examples of the use of bethuwlah:

Genesis 24:16 Rebekah here Bethuwlah and in Genesis 24:43 'Almah

Jeremiah 31:4 Nation

Jeremiah 31:21 The virgin of Israel who sinned and is now repented.

Joel 1:8 This maybe a virgin or older widow woman.

V) TOPICAL BIBLE VIRGIN FINDS:

Some other scriptures found in the Topical Bible (81 finds) include words like: virgins, damsel, maid, lass & young woman.

Genesis 34:1-3 Damsel

VI) SEPTUAGINT-HEBREW OLD TESTAMENT TRANSLATED TO GREEK OLD TESTAMENT:

VII) NEW TESTAMENT WRITERS QUOTE SEPTUAGINT TRANSLATION:

VIII) VIRGIN BIRTH TO MARY IN NEW TESTAMENT IS ISAIAH 7:14 FULFILLMENT:

Matthew 1:18 God's seed

Matthew 1:20-23 Isaiah 14:7 Fulfilled in Matthew 1:23 in New Testament. Joseph knew this was the virgin birth, God's son, & Immanuel or Emmanuel (God with us).

Luke 1:31-32 JESUS means savior. Mary knew the child was by the Holy Spirit, is God's son & Immanuel (God with us).

IX) CHILD BORN TO VIRGIN IS TO BE CALLED IMMANUEL - GOD WITH US:

What about the fulfillment of "shall call his name Immanuel (Emmanuel)" which means God with us? We do not know if Mary ever call Jesus this names. It just may not be in the scriptures. We do not see in Isaiah 8:1-3, the parents calling their son this name either. Again, it may not be in the scriptures. However, we do have Mary using the same train of thought in Luke 1:46-47. She knew Jesus was the son of God.

John 2:1-11 shows Jesus first miracle which Jesus' mother, Mary who knew Him power requested. Verse 11 says this manifested His glory.

Luke 1:46-47 or God my Jesus.

John 2:11 Jesus' mother, Mary, believed Him to be a miracle worker.

Acts 1:6-7, 9, 12-14

X) THE SEED, WHICH ALSO CARRIES MAN'S SIN, PRODUCES THE CHILD:

The seed comes from a man. Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit who put the seed into the virgin Mary. No seed of a man was involved. This was in order that no sin would come, with man's seed, into Jesus. Sin comes with man's seed as seen in Romans 5:12-15.

Job 14:4 A child born of a mother gets the seed from sinful father.

Psalms 51:5 Birth process produces Adam's sin into child.

Hebrews 7:9-10 This is through man's seed

Romans 5:12-15 Death passed by seed.

XI) JOSEPH IS JESUS FATHER BY MARRIAGE TO MARY BEFORE JESUS IS BORN:

Joseph was a legal heir to the throne of David. This is shown in Jesus genealogy found in Matthew 1:1-16. Jesus is the heir to the tribe of Judah by Joseph's marriage to Mary before Jesus is born. Jesus is heir shown in Mary's genealogy found in Luke 3:23-38.

Matthew 13:55 Jesus was Joseph's legal son by adoption & marriage to Mary.

Luke 2:3-6 Joseph & Mary are taxed.

Luke 2:46-49 Jesus had a earthly father-Joseph & heavenly Father-God.

Luke 3:23 The Jews believed that Joseph was the father.

XII) JOSEPH'S GENEALOGY INCLUDES CONIAH WHO IS CURSED FOR NO KING HEIR:

1 Chronicles 3:17-18 Coniah's heir

XIII) SIGN/WONDER BY GOD:

Mary must have told Joseph she was with child. By telling Joseph this, she could of been stoned to death. However, she knew the Holy Spirit had put the seed into her. She also knew the virgin birth was the great sign stated in Isaiah 7:14.

Matthew 1:19-20

Jeremiah 31:22 Virgin birth is a new thing in earth. This new thing God created that of a man born of a virgin woman. This is how a woman, Mary, compassed a man by the achievement of a child without a man's seed.

XIV) CONCLUSION OF MARY'S VIRGIN BIRTH:

Isaiah 7:11, 14

God shows three signs/wonders in this prophecy:

Genesis 3:15 A woman does not have a seed: only Mary

- A woman bearing a normal birth son would not be a God's sign. Jesus is both the son of God & son of man (represented all mankind's sins to God for their sacrifice). Jesus often referred to Himself as son of man.

Luke 24:7

- A man named Immanuel (God with us) would not be God's sign. Jesus is God with us. The God of heaven came down and abided with man as both true God and true man to be our sin bearer & savior.

Galatians 4:4

RETURN TO THE: BIBLE PAPERS HOME PAGE

This page is maintained by Dennis Schmidt. Please send your questions or comments to (dennisschmidt@att.net)