Worksheet on Isaiah 7:10-17

We have already looked at this passage in class in our preliminary discussion on "Messianic prophecies" in Isaiah. The passage is one of three places where the prophet mentions a child whose name has symbolic meaning. The passage is also part of the prophet's advice to Ahaz on how to handle the crisis facing the Judean kingdom during the Syro-Ephramatic War.

In addition to the historical connections to the Syro-Ephramatic war, we will want to look at how this passage (and others in Isaiah) are used in the New Testament, especially in the book of Matthew.

 

Historical background:

  • Recall our discussion last week about Isaiah. Where was he from? To whom did he present his prophecies?
  • Last week we identified Isaiah as a hozeh "seer, visionary". Is this important for understanding these prophecies dealing with the children's names?
  • Recall the setting for the Syro-Ephramatic War. Also look at the probable date for each of the prophecies dealing with the names of the children. If the Syro-Ephramatic War took place around 735-733, then what would you expect for the probable dates of these prophecies? Would they all date to the same period? Why or why not?

    • Limits and setting of the Passage:

  • Do you agree with the limits of the passage (vv. 10-17)? Why or why not?
  • What happens in 7:1-9? How are these verses related to 7:10-17?
  • How does this passage function in the overall book of Isaiah? How does the passage relate to chapters 7-8? How does this passage relate to the theophany text presented in chapter 6?
  • How does this passage relate to the other two places where prophecies are presented in connection with children's names (7:1-9 and 8:1-4)?
  • Other places in the Hebrew scriptures contain proclamations that women will conceive and bear a son. Compare the following two passages with our passage in Isaiah: Gen 16:11 (messenger of Yahweh to Hagar); and Judges 13:3,5 (Yahweh to the wife of Manoah).

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    Applications for today:

  • Matthew 1:23 reads: "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us'." Compare this verse with the passage from Isaiah 7. What are the differences and the similarities?
  • Does the prophecy at the end of chapter 7 come true as completely as one might expect? If not, how does this incomplete fulfillment enable Matthew (and others) to reappropriate the prophecy?
  • Since the passage of Isa 7:10-17 originally referred to a child whose name had a symbolic meaning within the context of the Syro-Ephramatic war, is it appropriate for Matthew to change or reappropriate this prophecy for a different context?
  • Does the prophecy "predict" the birth of Jesus? Can this prophecy be used to "prove" that Jesus is the Messiah?
  • Should this prophecy be used during advent by modern Christian faith communities?