עמנואל
imanu'el
The English phrase "God with us" is translated into Hebrew as עמנואל (imanu'el).
עמנואל is a name used to signify that God is present with people.
What does it mean word for word?
The word עמנואל is a compound of im (with), anu (us) and El (God).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the word עמנואל, the middle part anu serves as the first-person plural suffix meaning "us".
How do you pronounce it?
imanu'el
Did you know?
- Because it contains the word אֵל, the name shares a linguistic root with many other Semitic names, such as the Arabic 'Allah' or the Phoenician 'Baal'.
- Despite its appearance as one word, עמנואל functions as a complete sentence in Hebrew grammar.
- In modern Hebrew, the word עם can mean 'people' or 'nation', creating a subtle poetic play on the idea of a 'nation' being with God.
Examples in context
- עמנואל הוא שם בעל משמעות עמוקה.Immanuel hu shem ba'al mashma'ut amuka.Immanuel is a name with a deep meaning.
- הם קראו לו עמנואל.Hem karu lo Immanuel.They called him Immanuel.
- השם עמנואל מרגש אותי מאוד.Hashem Immanuel merages oti me'od.The name Immanuel touches me very much.
Example conversation
Maya and Noam are discussing the meaning of a name.
- נועם Noamאיזה שם בחרתם לתינוק?eyze shem bachartem la-tinok?What name did you choose for the baby?
- מאיה Mayaהחלטנו לקרוא לו עמנואל.hechlatnu likro lo emmanuel.We decided to call him Emmanuel.
- נועם Noamזה שם מאוד מיוחד.ze shem meod meyuchad.That is a very special name.
- מאיה Mayaכן, כי הוא אומר שאלוהים איתנו.ken, ki hu omer she-elohim itanu.Yes, because it says that God is with us.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries עמנואל, CC BY-SA 4.0.
