An Interpretation of Isaiah 7:14 Based on the Birth Motif

Isaiah 7:14 is a well-known verse but is interpreted differently by scholars. The verse can be understood based on the Christological emphasis or can be read based on the historical-contextual emphasis. The dualistic reading is also divided into the embedded Christological meaning and the non-embedded Christological meaning. This research provides a more concrete explanation model to read the multi-layered implications of Isaiah 7:14, which is the birth motif approach. The birth motif is a longitudinal theme with a redemptive-historical stance. From Genesis 3:15 to Adamic-Abrahamic descendants, the Scripture has formed a certain motif of birth that has theological implications by repeating the same theme. This research observed repeated patterns and themes related to birth throughout the Old Testament and brought out the results that the birth motif contains implications related to the singular-divine Savior who brings the ultimate salvation, multiple-human agents who are called for salvific works in each era, reversal, and victory. Based on the birth motif approach, Isaiah 7:14 symbolically and dualistically represents the impending appearance of the human agent and the ultimate coming of the Savior. Isaiah 7:15–16 and Matthew 1:23 are evident biblical clues and connections to support these two implications. Specifically, this research concludes that Hezekiah is the human agent that Isaiah 7:14–16 implies. Consequently, the birth motif can embrace both the historical-contextual implications and the embedded Christological reading.