What Does Almah Mean?

Abstract

William F. Beck’s essay “What Does Almah Mean?” presents a comprehensive linguistic, exegetical, and theological defense of the traditional Christian interpretation of Isaiah 7:14, asserting that the Hebrew word almah means “virgin.” Beck examines the historical context of Isaiah’s prophecy to King Ahaz, the grammatical structure of the passage, and the usage of almah across the Old Testament. He contrasts almah with other Hebrew terms such as bethulah and naarah, arguing that almah consistently refers to a young, unmarried woman and never to a married woman. Beck also analyzes ancient translations, including the Septuagint, Syriac, Aramaic, and Arabic, and critiques modern reinterpretations that deny the virgin birth. He concludes that both Scripture and linguistic evidence affirm the virginity of the woman in Isaiah 7:14, supporting its Messianic fulfillment in Matthew 1:23. The essay is a robust defense of biblical inerrancy and Christological prophecy. Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)