Biblical Hebrew Forum

[John Ronning <ronning AT nis.za>]

peter wrote:

> Where did the idea of the virgin birth come from
> if not from LXX?
>

It comes from four Hebrew words - ha`almah harah weyoledeth
ben - and the context in which they occur.

It's also typologically related to the miraculous conception
and birth of Isaac (where there is also a parallel
counter-explanation of illegitimate birth).  In turn this
fits in with the idea of the new Adam developed from the
book of Genesis.  Noah is brought forward as the new Adam,
but he turns out to be more like the first one in his own
sins (parallels between Genesis 9 and 3) and the division of
his offspring into both righteous and wicked (like
Cain-Abel).  Same with Abraham - given the promises of the
new Adam (fruitfulness and dominion) in Genesis 17 but his
"fall" in Genesis 16 uses phrases taken from Genesis 3 (she
took and gave to her husband, because you have listened to
the voice of your wife).  Similarly with Isaac and Jacob,
and then David.  So various great men seem to be presented
as the new Adam, but then disqualified, showing the need for
someone greater - the virgin birth of the divine child
answers that need.

John