βSomeone pointed out to me that the word βvirginβ in IsaiahΒ 7:14Β is the Hebrew word βalmahβ meaning, βa young womanββin other words, a βyoung womanβ who may or may not be a virgin. I am a firm believer in the virgin birth of Christ, but how do I address this dilemma?β
It is true the Hebrew wordΒ almahΒ simply means a βdamselβ or a βmaiden,β who may or may not be a virgin. However,Β almahΒ can refer to a young woman who is a virgin, such as in the case ofΒ RebekahΒ (Gen. 24:43-45). Interestingly, the Holy Spirit does not leave the matter open for debate in regard to Mary. Under the guidance of the Spirit, Matthew directly quotes Isaiah and, in doing so, he uses the Greek wordΒ parthenos. This term isΒ solelyΒ used of a woman who has never known a man.
βBehold, a virgin [Gr. parthenos] shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with usβ (Matt.Β 1:23).
The purpose of the miraculous conception and virgin birth of Christ was to show that He was not stained with Adamβs sin. As Paul says, βHe knew no sinβ (II Cor.Β 5:21). Christ was an empty vessel when it came to sin. This allowed the Father to pour our iniquities into His dear Son at Calvary, where He was made βsin for us.β It is essentially a matter of faith! If Christ wasnβt born of the virgin, then we are yet in our sins. source