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NASB | Matthew 1:19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 1:19 And Joseph her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publicly to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her quietly. |
Bible Question:
Is the Virgin Birth of Jesus a myth? I have recently been investigating the point of view that Matthew made up the story concerning the virgin birth due to his misunderstanding of Isaiah 7:14 meaning young women instead of a real virgin. This and the investigation of this issue has really shaken my faith. I hold on to my belief because I have no where else to turn. But just the same, this discovery is startling. |
Bible Answer: Hi schimc, Thanks for your question. It reminds me that I wanted to go back to a discussion of Isaiah 7:15 and my post #106825. I believe that the passages in Isaiah 7 and 8 are a dual prophecy. Isaiah 7:14 talks about the virgin [Mary] who would be with child and bear a Son [sic]. That is in contrast to the young woman, the prophetess, Isaiah's wife who would give birth to a son [sic]. There is that contrast between the Boy Jesus and the boy who knows how to cry out 'My father'. Isaiah 8:4 The virgin birth is the sign that what was conceived in her was of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18, "Now the birth of Jesus/Christ was as follows. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the (Holy) Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her away secretly. But when he considered this, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which [NASB, l977] has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bear a Son..." Isaiah 7:11, "Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord/ your God; make it deep as Sheol or high as heaven." But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord!" Then he said, "Listen now O house of David! Is it too slight a things for ou to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my (God) as well? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a Son, and she will call His name Immanuel." The slashes and parentheses are mine to show how I would compare the passages. From the heart, Ray |