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How should I answer missionaries who say that Jesus is named Immanuel and is Messiah ?

by Rabbi I. Schochet

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Rabbi Immanuel Schochet: If that name means anything special (as ALL names do) then obviously its significance relates to me and not to "him," for he was not called Immanuel while I am. : )

The Bible says he will be called Immanuel and he wasn't, so it is obviously not him; there is no case where someone is not named as instructed.

TAGS: Immanuel, Emmanuel

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Jews -truly a chosen people of God.

Posted by: Anup Mathew, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India on Mar 20, 2005

Even as I learn more about the Jews I realize how important you are in the the overall plan of God for mankind.e.g , Jeremiah 33 :7-9

vs. 7 I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before.

8 I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me.

9 Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.'

It is nothing short of a miracle to see the return of Jews to the Promised Land and the developement of Israel as a nation, in recent years.

May God continue to bless each one of you, and as a nation may you prosper.

Warm Regards,

Posted by: Jon on Apr 04, 2005

It was stated that "there is no case where someone is not named as instructed." However, G-d sends word through the prophet Nathan to name Solomon "Jedidiah" (2 Sam. 12:25). Unless I am mistaken, this is the only place in the Bible where Solomon is called by that name, which means "loved by G-d." Nehemiah 13:26 mentions Solomon was loved by G-d, but still calls him Solomon, not Jedidiah. So although he is not known as Jedidiah, some did say he was loved by G-d, he was Jedidiah.

Now you said that Jesus was not called Immanuel, or "G-d with us." However, there were people at the time who said that Jesus was G-d with them, yet probably never referred to him as Immanuel. An example of this is the apostle John, who in John 1:1 says that "the Word" (referring to Jesus) was G-d, and in John 1:14 says the the Word "made his dwelling among us." So John calls Jesus "Immanuel" just as much as the book of Nehemiah, or anyone else, calls Solomon "Jedidiah."

Editor's Comment

As usual, a simple examination of the texts reveals the difference between the two cases:

"...and [Bath-Sheba] bore a son, and she called his name Solomon; and the Lord loved him, and He sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and he called his name Yedidiah for the Lord's sake" (II Samuel 12:24-25).

"Therefore, the Lord, of His own, shall give you a sign; behold, the young woman is with child, and she shall bear a son, and she shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).

Nowhere does G-d state that Solomon would in fact be called Yedidiah, as opposed to Immanuel, where G-d says that she will call him by that name.

Posted by: Moses on Apr 20, 2005

Just to let you know this verse in the Christian Bible is mistranslated. To understand what this verse means we have to read it in context. Isiah is talking to Ahaz and he asked Ahaz to ask for a sign (that Judah will be safe from Rezin and Pekah) but Ahaz answered mockingly that he does not believe Hashem can provide a sign. Isiah replies "is it not enough that you scorn human (prophets), that you scorn even my G-d?"(Isiah 7:11-14)

So Isiah says,

"Therefore, my Lord Himself will give YOU [Ahaz] a sign; behold, the maiden [implying a maiden who you know] will become pregnant, and bear a son, and SHE [as you can see it says SHE shall call him immanuel NOT they] will name him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).

The name "Immanuel" means "G-d is with us", prophesying that Judah will be saved from the threat of Rezin and Pekah.

According to Rashi the young maiden is Isiah's wife, this is obvious as we can see a bit later Isiah's wife gives birth. 4 more info see www.jewsforjudaism.com

Posted by: Jennifer, St. Marys, KS on May 02, 2005

I have a question. Rabbi Immanuel said that the supposed Messiah would have the name Immanuel and that Jesus did not have this name. How do you know Jesus did not have the name Immanuel? Many people say he did.

Editor's Comment

Rabbi Schochet didn't say that the Messiah's name will be Immanuel -- actually the verse is referring to someone else -- he just pointed out that even if you were to argue that the verse is referring to the Messiah, still Jesus' mother never named him so.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 10, 2006

When missionaries come to the door, I simply smile and tell them they, "I'm sorry you have the wrong house. Have a nice day!" Then I close the door and go on with my day. I think it is a greater kindess to politely end the conversation early then to end in a heated debate with them.