The answer is: Isaiah

Matthew 1:23 / Isaiah 7:14 - part of a difficult passage of prophecy written some 700 years before the birth of Jesus.

Isn’t it fascinating to think about how a single phrase can echo through history and shape a narrative? When we look at Isaiah 7:14, we find a rich tapestry of expectation woven into prophetic texts. Isaiah’s utterance about a virgin giving birth is nestled within a promotion for hope during a time when Judah was vulnerable, caught between political struggles.

The term “virgin” in this context has stirred debate among scholars for centuries. The Hebrew word “almah,” used by Isaiah, means a young woman of marriageable age, but in translations, especially the Greek Septuagint, it was rendered as “parthenos,” which unambiguously means virgin. This linguistic transition showcases how interpretations shift over time, entangled with cultural understandings.

Now, here comes the fun part: the birth narrative is packed with symbolic references, linking back to earlier patriarchs in the Scripture—the legendary star promises perhaps seeking to fulfill, akin to how the Rephaim dealt with high expectations. And did you know that aside from Isaiah, other prophets also hinted at a messianic birth? Micah 5:2 poetically declares where this future leader would arise (Bethlehem), showing a web of anticipation throughout the prophetic literature.

In unpacking the layers of this prophecy, one can't help but appreciate the way this moment revitalizes themes of hope, resilience, and the infinite ways humans interpret divine interactions. It's a dynamic reminder that stories grow, transform, and inspire generations beyond their telling!