6005. Immanuel
Lexical Summary
Immanuel: Immanuel

Original Word: עִמָּנוּאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Immanuw'el
Pronunciation: eem-maw-noo-ale
Phonetic Spelling: (im-maw-noo-ale')
KJV: Immanuel
NASB: Immanuel
Word Origin: [from H5973 (עִם - against) and H410 (אֵל - God) with a pronominal suffix inserted]

1. with us (is) God
2. Immanuel, a type name of Isaiah's son

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Immanuel

From im and 'el with a pronominal suffix inserted; with us (is) God; Immanuel, a type name of Isaiah's son -- Immanuel.

see HEBREW im

see HEBREW 'el

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from im and el
Definition
"with us is God," the name of a child
NASB Translation
Immanuel (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
עִמָּנוּאֵל proper name, masculine Immanuel (with us is God); — ׳י Isaiah 7:14 van d. H. Baer; עִמָּנוּ אֵל Gi; — name of child, symbolizing presence of ׳י to deliver his people (on interpret. see Commentaries) — עִמָּנוּ אֵל Isaiah 8:8,10 is declaration of trust and confidence, with us is God ! (compare Psalm 46:8; Psalm 46:12); see עִם.

Topical Lexicon
Etymology and Meaning

Immanuel combines the Hebrew preposition עִם (ʿim, “with”), the first-person plural pronoun נוּ (nū, “us”), and אֵל (ʾēl, “God”), yielding the confession “God with us.” More than a personal name, it is a declarative statement of the covenant presence of YHWH among His people.

Biblical Occurrences

Isaiah 7:14 – The promised child whose birth is a divine sign to the house of David.
Isaiah 8:8 – A poetic address to the land itself, affirming that even an Assyrian flood cannot nullify the reality that the territory belongs to “Immanuel.”

The New Testament quotes Isaiah 7:14 in Matthew 1:23, identifying Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the prophetic name.

Historical Context

Isaiah prophesied during the Syro-Ephraimite crisis (circa 734 BC). King Ahaz of Judah faced invasion from Aram and Israel (2 Kings 16:5). Isaiah was sent to reassure the fearful monarch that David’s dynasty would not fall. The birth-sign of Immanuel functions in that immediate crisis yet stretches beyond it, anchoring hope in the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

Prophetic Significance

Isaiah’s two-stage prophecy pattern is evident:

1. Near Horizon – Within a few years, a child born in Ahaz’s day would serve as a visible pledge that Judah would survive the present threat (Isaiah 7:15-16).
2. Far Horizon – The name Immanuel anticipates a greater Son whose advent secures ultimate deliverance (Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-10). Scripture’s progressive revelation shows that the latter sense dominates: “For a Child will be born to us… and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6).

Christological Fulfillment

Matthew cites the prophecy verbatim: “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (Matthew 1:23), explicitly adding the explanatory clause “which means ‘God with us.’” Jesus’ conception by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20), His incarnate ministry (John 1:14), and His abiding presence after resurrection (“I am with you always,” Matthew 28:20) validate the title. The New Testament never records “Immanuel” as His daily name; rather, it is a theological designation underscoring His divine identity and mediatorial mission (John 14:9; Colossians 2:9).

Theological Themes

1. Divine Presence — From Eden (Genesis 3:8) to the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8) and ultimately the new creation (Revelation 21:3), God’s intent is to dwell with humanity. Immanuel is the linchpin of that trajectory.
2. Covenant Assurance — The sign to Ahaz reaffirms that the Davidic covenant cannot fail; God is with the royal house despite temporary apostasy.
3. Salvation and Judgment — In Isaiah 8:8 the same name guarantees refuge for the faithful remnant and terror for invading foes. Christ likewise is “a stone of stumbling” to unbelievers yet a cornerstone for those who trust (1 Peter 2:6-8).
4. Incarnation — Immanuel encapsulates the mystery of the Word made flesh (John 1:14); deity and humanity unite without confusion, securing redemption (Hebrews 2:14-17).

Devotional and Practical Applications

• Confidence in Peril — As Judah was called to rest in YHWH’s presence amid geopolitical turmoil, believers today rely on the risen Immanuel amid global and personal crises (Hebrews 13:5-6).
• Missional Encouragement — The Great Commission is framed by the promise “I am with you” (Matthew 28:20), making Immanuel the foundation of evangelism and discipleship.
• Worship — Recognizing Jesus as Immanuel fuels adoration, for in Him the transcendent God has drawn near (John 20:28).
• Holiness — “God with us” calls for godliness among us; the indwelling Spirit makes the church a living temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

Summary

Immanuel (Strong’s H6005) is more than a prophetic title; it is the heartbeat of redemptive history, asserting that the Almighty chooses to be present with His people. Rooted in Isaiah’s assurance and realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the name guarantees both the security of God’s covenant promises and the nearness of His saving grace.

Forms and Transliterations
אֵֽל׃ אל׃ ’êl El
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Isaiah 7:14
HEB: שְׁמ֖וֹ עִמָּ֥נוּ אֵֽל׃
NAS: and she will call His name Immanuel.
INT: will call his name Immanuel

Isaiah 8:8
HEB: אַרְצְךָ֖ עִמָּ֥נוּ אֵֽל׃ ס
NAS: the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.
INT: the breadth of your land Immanuel

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6005
2 Occurrences


’êl — 2 Occ.

6004
Top of Page
Top of Page