virgin
Isaiah 7:14
7:14 virgin. Many critics have argued that the Hebrew word means simply “young, unmarried woman,” rather than “virgin,” and some translations have translated it as such. This is nothing but a device to avoid the miracle of Christ’s virgin birth. The word is used some six or more times in the Old Testament and in all instances the context favors (or at least does not preclude) its rendering as “virgin.” Conception by a “young unmarried woman” would hardly be a sign of anything except sin, for such events occur frequently. A virgin conception would require a mighty act of creation by God Himself! The quotation of this verse in the New Testament (Matthew 1:23) should remove any lingering doubt, for the Greek word used there (parthenos) can only mean “virgin.” See also Jeremiah 31:22.