How did the Greek Septuagint translation affect the interpretation of Isaiah’s Immanuel prophecy?

The Septuagint, an early Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, significantly influenced the interpretation of Isaiah’s Immanuel prophecy (Isaiah 7:14) by translating the Hebrew word ‘almah—which means "young woman"—as parthenos, the Greek term for "virgin".1

This translation choice shifted the focus of the verse, drawing the prophecy further into a messianic context by suggesting that a virgin would conceive and bear a son. This interpretation became foundational for early Christian traditions, which relied on the Septuagint to identify prophecies they believed were fulfilled by Jesus. While this reading helped solidify the messianic significance of the passage within the Christian church, it also contributed to a divergence in how the text was viewed, as Jewish scholars maintained the original Hebrew meaning of a young woman.12