Matthew 1:23 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. [kjv]
ιδου η παρθενος εν γαστρι εξει και τεξεται υιον και καλεσουσιν το ονομα αυτου εμμανουηλ ο εστιν μεθερμηνευομενον μεθ ημων ο θεος [gnt]
Every year at Christmas, one often hears verses read from Matthew or Isaiah that use the name "
Emmanuel" or "
Immanuel". Which is correct? What is the difference?
The Hebrew is transliterated into English as "Immanuel".
The Greek is transliterated into English as "Emmanuel".
Thus, the word "
Emmanuel" is the result of transliterating Hebrew into Greek and then Greek into English. This is an example of the "
whisper game" where minor changes to words add up over time to major changes.
The "whisper game" is a way whereby a message is passed from person to person and tends to change with each retelling - especially when whispering where one cannot clearly hear what is being said.
