Click to join the conversation with over 500,000 Pentecostal believers and scholars
| PentecostalTheology.com
I was reading this book by Craig S. Keener 1 Peter: A Commentary and he believes that the apostle Peter is the author of the letter. If his assertion is correct would that make 1 Peter the oldest book of the New Testament? I mean would this then be likely to predate Paul’s earliest letters?
Troy Day
@followers @highlight Immanuel (עִמָּנוּאֵל) is indeed a Hebrew name that means “God with us,” and it appears in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14) as a prophetic name. Whether it was a common given name in ancient Israel is debatable, but its use in Isaiah suggests a strong symbolic meaning rather than being a familiar or traditional personal name like many others used at that time.
Immanuel vs. Symbolic Names
Symbolic Usage:
Immanuel is primarily presented in a prophetic context in the Book of Isaiah. Here, its significance is theological, emphasizing God’s presence among His people. The prophecy speaks of a child representing assurance and divine presence, rather than mentioning a historical figure with that name.
Comparison to Other Symbolic Names:
Similar to names like Maher-shalal-hash-baz (“Hurry to the spoils”) and Pele-joez-el-gibbor-abi-ad-sar-shalom (“Wonderful in counsel is God the mighty, the Everlasting Father, the Ruler of Peace”), Immanuel functions more as a message rather than a typical name for everyday use.
These names convey specific meanings tied to particular prophetic messages, highlighting events or divine attributes.
Popularity & Historical Usage:
There is limited historical evidence to suggest that Immanuel was a commonly used name in ancient Israel or Judah prior to or during the time of Isaiah. Unlike names such as David, Solomon, or Elijah, which were more widely used, Immanuel’s appearance in the biblical narrative is almost exclusively prophetic.
Why Jesus Was Not Named Immanuel
Symbolic Fulfillment:
In the New Testament (Matthew 1:23), Jesus is associated with the prophecy of Immanuel as a fulfillment rather than a literal naming. Jesus is seen as the embodiment of “God with us,” fulfilling the prophecy in his life and ministry, rather than needing the exact name.
Naming Conventions:
Jewish tradition and customs around naming might not have favored using such highly symbolic, prophetic names for ordinary use. Instead, names like Jesus (Yeshua), which means “Yahweh is salvation,” were more culturally fitting for their emphasis on deliverance.
In summary, while Immanuel carries rich symbolic meaning, there is little evidence to suggest it was a common or traditional name for children in ancient Israel. Its primary role seems to be prophetic, emphasizing theological truths rather than serving as a conventional given name. Would you like to explore more about the theological significance of these names?