### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma Ἐμμανουήλ (Emmanouḗl), transliterated as Emmanuel, is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew עִמָּנוּאֵל (Immanu'el). Its fundamental and most profound meaning is "God with us." This is not merely a descriptive phrase but a theological statement embedded within a proper name. As a name, its semantic range is narrow, precisely defining the identity and nature of the one to whom it refers. It signifies the active, personal, and redemptive presence of God among humanity, embodying the ultimate divine condescension and intimate fellowship.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The primary and most significant occurrence of Ἐμμανουήλ in the New Testament is found in the Gospel of Matthew, specifically in the infancy narrative: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)" [[Matthew 1:23]]. This passage is a direct quotation from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah [[Isaiah 7:14]].
In Matthew's context, the naming of Jesus as Emmanuel serves several crucial purposes:
1. **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** It unequivocally presents Jesus as the fulfillment of ancient prophecy, establishing His messianic identity from the outset of the Gospel.
2. **Divine Identity:** It declares Jesus' divine nature. To call Him "God with us" is to assert that He is God Himself, present in human form.
3. **Incarnation:** It encapsulates the profound mystery of the Incarnation, where the transcendent God enters into human history and takes on human flesh.
4. **Purpose of His Coming:** It highlights the reason for Jesus' advent: to be God's presence among His people, not as a distant deity, but as one who dwells intimately with them for the purpose of salvation. The narrative immediately follows the angel's instruction to Joseph regarding Jesus' name, "for he will save his people from their sins" [[Matthew 1:21]], linking God's presence directly with His redemptive work.
### Related Words & Concepts
The Greek Ἐμμανουήλ is rooted in the Hebrew `{{H6005}}` (Immanu'el), which is a compound of `{{H5973}}` (עִם - 'im, meaning "with" or "alongside") and `{{H410}}` (אֵל - 'el, meaning "God"). This etymological breakdown reinforces the core meaning.
Related theological concepts and terms include:
* **The Incarnation:** The doctrine that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Emmanuel is the name that perfectly encapsulates this reality.
* **Divine Presence (Shekinah):** The concept of God dwelling among His people, seen in the Tabernacle and Temple in the Old Testament. Emmanuel represents the ultimate and personal manifestation of this presence.
* **Covenant:** God's promise to be with His people, often expressed as "I will be your God, and you shall be my people." Emmanuel is the ultimate fulfillment of this covenant promise.
* **Names of Christ:** Other names that reveal aspects of Jesus' identity and mission, such as Jesus (`{{G2424}}`, "Yahweh saves"), Christ (`{{G5547}}`, "Anointed One"), Lord (`{{G2962}}`, "Kurios"), Son of God, and Son of Man. Each name illuminates a facet of His unique person and work.
* **The Holy Spirit:** After Christ's ascension, the Holy Spirit continues the "God with us" reality by indwelling believers and the church, assuring God's abiding presence.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Emmanuel is immense and multifaceted:
1. **The Heart of the Gospel:** Emmanuel succinctly expresses the core message of Christianity: God has drawn near to humanity in a personal, tangible way through Jesus Christ. It is the ultimate expression of God's love and initiative towards a fallen world.
2. **Affirmation of Christ's Deity:** The name directly attributes divinity to Jesus, affirming His co-equality with God the Father. He is not merely a prophet or a messenger, but God Himself, present among us.
3. **God's Relational Nature:** It reveals God's desire for intimate relationship with His creation. He is not a distant, unapproachable deity, but one who chooses to dwell with His people, sharing in their humanity.
4. **Assurance and Hope:** For believers, Emmanuel is a source of profound comfort and hope. It assures them that God is not absent in times of trial or joy, but is continually present, actively involved in their lives and in the world.
5. **Foundation for Redemption:** God's "being with us" is not passive; it is for redemptive purposes. He is with us to save, to reconcile, and to transform. The incarnation (Emmanuel) is the necessary prerequisite for atonement and salvation.
6. **Continuity of God's Plan:** It demonstrates the seamless continuity between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, highlighting God's faithfulness to His promises throughout history.
### Summary
Ἐμμανουήλ (Emmanuel) is a transliterated name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God with us." Its singular New Testament occurrence in [[Matthew 1:23]] identifies Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the prophecy in [[Isaiah 7:14]]. This name profoundly encapsulates the doctrine of the Incarnation, affirming Jesus' divine identity as God dwelling in human form. Theologically, Emmanuel signifies God's personal, intimate, and redemptive presence among His people, serving as a foundational truth for Christian faith, assuring believers of God's abiding nearness and His active involvement in their salvation. It is a name that speaks to the very heart of God's character and His plan for humanity.
TRV