Christograph

Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"

Whether the Hebrew word 'almah' in Isaiah 7:14 should be translated as 'virgin' (as in the Septuagint and Matthew 1:23) or 'young woman,' and the implications for the doctrine of the virgin birth.

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Overall consensus83/100

Unitarian Universalist

Unitarian Universalist

Non-Trinitarian

Varies

No official interpretation; members range from symbolic to historical readings

The UUA has no official position on Isaiah 7:14 or the virgin birth. Liberal UUA members may read the prophecy as symbolic or metaphorical of Christ's spiritual significance; others approach it as ancient literature with cultural context; still others reject the virgin birth narrative as historically unlikely or religiously unnecessary.

Key Distinctions

Almah translation:
optional; no mandate
Prophecy fulfillment:
wide and diverse
Marian doctrine:

Scripture References

Sources

  • UUA principles of theological freedom
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