A young woman is promised a son. Isaiah says, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” and Matthew sees that promise in the birth of Jesus, “God with us.” The word turns up elsewhere too: Jeremiah speaks of the virgin of Israel rebuilt and dancing, and Isaiah pictures a young man marrying a virgin as a sign of God’s delight in his people. Paul gives careful advice about virgins in 1 Corinthians 7, saying he has no command from the Lord and offers his own judgment. Matthew 1:18-25 tells the birth story.
10 verses
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.
Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Matthew George Easton, 1897
In a prophecy concerning our Lord, Isaiah (7:14) says, “A virgin [R.V. marg., ‘the virgin’] shall conceive, and bear a son” (comp. Luke 1:31-35). The people of the land of Zidon are thus referred to by Isaiah (23:12), “O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon;” and of the people of Israel, Jeremiah (18:13) says, “The virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.”