Immanuel or Emmanuel (Hebrew: עִמָּנוּאֵל, romanized: ʿĪmmānūʾēl, "God [is] with us"; Koine Greek: Ἐμμανουήλ Emmanūēl) is a Hebrew name that appears in the Book of Isaiah (7:14) as a sign that God will protect the House of David.

Just over 2,000 years ago, Emmanuel, also called the Christ, changed the world. In that moment when God became flesh, humanity watched prophecies unfold as hope was born. The New Testament makes it clear, Jesus, God’s Son, was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy. He was the long-promised Emmanuel, sent by God to save His people and usher in a new kingdom.

At its core, "Emmanuel" comes from the Hebrew phrase "Immanuel," which translates to "God with us." This name is rich in meaning and encapsulates a pivotal theme within the Christian tradition: the intimate presence of God among His people.

What does the name "Emmanuel" mean in the Bible and why is it significant?

The name Emmanuel carries significance that stretches back centuries before Jesus walked the earth. The Hebrew term consists of two parts: Imanu, meaning “with us,” and El, meaning “God.

Immanuel and Emmanuel point to the same meaning with two different spellings. Think of how we do this with modern names. For example, Cathy, Cathie, Kathy, and Kathi, or Alexander, Alexandre, Aleksander, and Aleksandr. Emmanuel Meaning in the Bible Immanuel and Emmanuel may be translated as a name, but its biblical meaning goes much deeper.