What does Isaiah 7:14 mean by “a virgin shall conceive”?

Isaiah 7:14 is one of the most discussed and meaningful prophecies in Scripture: “The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.” For Christians, this verse is central to understanding the identity of Jesus Christ, especially in connection with Christmas. But to appreciate its significance, it is helpful to understand both the historical situation in Isaiah’s time and the greater fulfillment revealed in the New Testament.

The context of the prophecy begins with King Ahaz of Judah, who faced political threats from surrounding kingdoms around the eighth century BC. God sent the prophet Isaiah to reassure Ahaz that Judah would not be destroyed. As a sign of God’s faithfulness, Isaiah declared that a child would be born, symbolizing God’s presence and protection (Isaiah 7:10–16). In the immediate sense, this prophecy offered comfort to Ahaz and confirmed that God remained with His people.

However, the wording of the prophecy points far beyond the time of Ahaz. Isaiah used the Hebrew word almah, referring to a young woman of marriageable age. In ancient Israel, a young unmarried woman was understood to be a virgin. The Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, translated almah as parthenos, which specifically means “virgin.” This is the same wording used in the Gospel of Matthew when the prophecy is quoted in direct reference to the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:22–23). Even if one prefers to translate the word simply as “young woman,” it is important to recognize that in ancient Israel, as in many Middle Eastern and Asian cultures even today, an unmarried young woman of marriageable age was understood to be a virgin.

The New Testament reveals the deeper meaning of Isaiah’s words. The angel Gabriel told Mary that she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:34–35). Mary was not yet married to Joseph and confirmed that she had no relations with a man. The conception of Jesus was therefore not a natural event, but a divine act. Mary freely consented to God’s plan when she said, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). In Mary, the prophecy finds its perfect and literal fulfillment: the Virgin conceives and bears the Son promised long ago.

This means that Mary is not simply present in the story; she is the very sign God gave. Isaiah 7:14 is fulfilled in her person. The prophecy does not only speak about the birth of Jesus, but also about the identity of the woman chosen to bring Him into the world.

The name Emmanuel means “God with us.” This does not simply reflect God’s guidance or blessing, but His real presence. In Jesus, God enters the world personally, taking on human nature without losing His divinity (John 1:14). The virgin birth is therefore not an isolated miracle; it is the sign of who Jesus is. He is not just a holy teacher or prophet. He is the eternal Son of God born in time.

If we think about it carefully, this prophecy bridges the Old and New Testaments. It shows continuity in God’s plan and reveals that the birth of Jesus was not accidental or symbolic, but the fulfillment of a promise spoken centuries earlier. Isaiah 7:14 assures believers that God keeps His word and that in Mary and Jesus, God is truly with us.