עִמָּנוּ אֵל
Immanu El / Immanuel
“God With Us”
Immanuel (עִמָּנוּ אֵל, Immanu El) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “god with us,” pronounced “i-MA-nu EL.” From Hebrew עִמָּנוּ (immanu, 'with us') + אֵל (El, 'God'). The components are: עִם (im, 'with') + the first-person plural suffix -nu ('us') + אֵל (El, 'God'). The name is a complete theological sentence: 'God [is] with us.'
| Hebrew | עִמָּנוּ אֵל |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Immanu El |
| English Name | Immanuel |
| Meaning | God With Us |
| Pronunciation | i-MA-nu EL |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Names of God |
| Variants | Emmanuel, Emanuel, Emmanuele, Manuel |
| Key Scripture | Isaiah 7:14 |
Immanuel is the name that bridges heaven and earth in three syllables. When the prophet Isaiah told King Ahaz that a young woman would bear a son and name him Immanuel — 'God with us' — he was declaring the most radical claim in theology: that the infinite, transcendent Creator of the universe would make Himself present among mortal human beings. In Isaiah's immediate context, it assured Judah of God's protection during the Syro-Ephraimite crisis. In the broader prophetic vision, Christians see it as the announcement of the Incarnation — God literally becoming Emmanuel, dwelling bodily among humanity (Matthew 1:23). Whether read through Jewish or Christian eyes, the name stands as the ultimate statement of divine accessibility: God is not distant. God is here.
Key Scripture: Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
What Does Immanuel Mean in Hebrew?
Composed of the preposition עִם (im, 'with') + the possessive suffix נוּ (nu, 'us') = עִמָּנוּ (immanu, 'with us') + אֵל (El, 'God'). Unlike most theophoric names that describe God's attributes or actions, Immanuel describes God's location: He is WITH us. This is a relational name — it defines God not by power or sovereignty but by proximity and presence.
Immanuel in the Bible
Isaiah prophesied the name Immanuel as a sign to King Ahaz during the Syro-Ephraimite crisis (Isaiah 7:14). The immediate context assured Judah of God's protective presence. Isaiah uses the name again in 8:8 and 8:10, connecting it to God's sovereignty over nations. Matthew 1:23 applies the prophecy to Jesus' birth, interpreting it as the ultimate fulfillment of 'God with us.'
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
The name Immanuel is central to Christmas theology and hymnody. The advent hymn 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel' is one of the most beloved songs in Western Christianity, dating to the 12th century. The name captures the entire Christmas narrative in two words: God became present among humanity in the person of Jesus.
Emmanuel/Immanuel ranks in the top 150 boys' names in the United States and is popular across Latin America, Africa, and Europe. The name's theological richness and its use in Christmas carols ('O Come, O Come Emmanuel') give it enduring appeal across Christian cultures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Immanuel
What does Immanuel mean in Hebrew?
Immanuel (עִמָּנוּ אֵל, Immanu El) means “God With Us” in Hebrew. From Hebrew עִמָּנוּ (immanu, 'with us') + אֵל (El, 'God'). The components are: עִם (im, 'with') + the first-person plural suffix -nu ('us') + אֵל (El, 'God'). The name is a complete theological sentence: 'God [is] with us.'
How do you pronounce Immanuel in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Immanuel is “i-MA-nu EL.” The name is written עִמָּנוּ אֵל in Hebrew script.
What does Immanuel mean in Hebrew?
Immanuel (עִמָּנוּ אֵל) means 'God With Us' in Hebrew, combining 'immanu' (with us) and 'El' (God). It is a complete sentence compressed into a name, declaring that God is not distant but present among His people. Isaiah gave this as a prophetic sign (Isaiah 7:14), and Matthew 1:23 applies it to the birth of Jesus.
Is Emmanuel the same as Immanuel?
Yes — Emmanuel and Immanuel are variant spellings of the same Hebrew name (עִמָּנוּ אֵל). The 'I' spelling (Immanuel) follows the Hebrew more closely, while 'E' (Emmanuel) follows the Greek/Latin transliteration. Both forms are widely used, with Emmanuel more common in general usage and Immanuel more common in direct biblical references.
What is the prophecy of Immanuel in Isaiah?
In Isaiah 7:14, the prophet tells King Ahaz: 'The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin/young woman will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.' In the immediate context, it assured Judah of God's protection. Christians interpret it as a messianic prophecy fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, who is literally 'God with us.'
Sources & Further Study
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