Both “Son of God” and “Everlasting Father”
Dear Phil,
In Isaiah 9:6, the Son of God is called the “Everlasting Father.” What does this mean? Also, I notice that modern versions have “Wonderful Counselor” whereas the KJV splits “Wonderful Counselor” into “Wonderful, Counseller” (Isa 9:6 KJV) What is the correct way to read the original?
Mark
In Isaiah 9:6, the Son of God is called the “Everlasting Father.” What does this mean? Also, I notice that modern versions have “Wonderful Counselor” whereas the KJV splits “Wonderful Counselor” into “Wonderful, Counseller” (Isa 9:6 KJV) What is the correct way to read the original?
Mark
Dear Mark,
Great question! I remember being perplexed over how Jesus could be the “Father” when he is the “Son.” Dr. Robert Bell, one of my Old Testament PhD professors, is the one who helped clear up this one for me.
In the Old Testament, the term “father” was used to refer to a spiritual leader. In Judges 17:10, a young Levite is asked by Micah, an older man, to serve as a priest and a “father” to him. Clearly, the older man who was providing the younger man both food and lodging was not biologically related to him. Rather, he was asking the Levite to serve as the spiritual leader or “father” to his household. In the same story, the tribe of Dan entices the Levite to leave Micah and serve as a “father” to their entire tribe (Judges 18:19). In 2 Kings 2:12 Elisha cries out “My father, my father!” as he sees Elijah caught up by heaven’s fiery chariot. Jehoram, the son of Ahab, calls Elisha “my father” (2 Kings 6:21), and Joash, the king of Israel, weeps over terminally–ill Elisha, crying “My father, my father!” (2 Kings 13:14).
The term “father” could also refer to a person in authority, usually a political leader. In Genesis 45:8, Joseph tells his brothers that God had made him a “father” to Pharaoh, and in Isaiah 22:21, God promises that Eliakim will be given political authority over Jerusalem and Judah and will become a “father” to them. This use of “father” was not unique to Israel. In the story of Naaman, we find one of his servants addressing him as “my father” to show his deference to Naaman (2 Kings 5:13).
All this biblical data points to the conclusion that Jesus, as the Anointed Prince of Peace, the King–Priest after the order of Melchizedek, serves as the spiritual and political leader of his people. That he is the “father of perpetuity/eternity” indicates, I believe, his eternality. The Son who bears the weight of government on his shoulders is the Creator by whom all things came to be and who has neither beginning nor ending of life (cf. Heb 7:3).
Regarding whether “Wonderful” and “Counselor” should be read separately (KJV, ASV) or together (most English versions), two factors argue in favor of taking them together. First, the following three titles are two–word titles: “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” “Prince of Peace;” and the last two titles cannot be read separately. “Everlasting Father” is a compound word in Hebrew, and “Prince of” is grammatically connected to “Peace” in such a way that they cannot be read separately. Second, the scribes who added vowels and accents to the Hebrew text in the 500s AD, called Masoretes, accented these words to be read “Wonderful Counselor” and not separately.
There is, however, an intriguing third possibility. Isaiah says, “he name shall be called,” not “his names shall be called.” Since there are some rather long names in Isaiah, like Maher–shalal–hash–baz (Isa 8:3), it is at least possible that this is one long name “Wonderful-Counselor-Mighty-God-Father-of-Eternity–Prince-of-Peace.” In Hebrew it would be pele’–yo‘ets–el giboravi‘ad–sar–shalom.
Whatever the case, the reality behind these words is amazing and worth celebrating! The Son of God was born, lived, died, rose again, and is soon coming as our King! My heart yearns for the day when the government shall indeed be upon his shoulder!
Blessings,
Phil
Great question! I remember being perplexed over how Jesus could be the “Father” when he is the “Son.” Dr. Robert Bell, one of my Old Testament PhD professors, is the one who helped clear up this one for me.
In the Old Testament, the term “father” was used to refer to a spiritual leader. In Judges 17:10, a young Levite is asked by Micah, an older man, to serve as a priest and a “father” to him. Clearly, the older man who was providing the younger man both food and lodging was not biologically related to him. Rather, he was asking the Levite to serve as the spiritual leader or “father” to his household. In the same story, the tribe of Dan entices the Levite to leave Micah and serve as a “father” to their entire tribe (Judges 18:19). In 2 Kings 2:12 Elisha cries out “My father, my father!” as he sees Elijah caught up by heaven’s fiery chariot. Jehoram, the son of Ahab, calls Elisha “my father” (2 Kings 6:21), and Joash, the king of Israel, weeps over terminally–ill Elisha, crying “My father, my father!” (2 Kings 13:14).
The term “father” could also refer to a person in authority, usually a political leader. In Genesis 45:8, Joseph tells his brothers that God had made him a “father” to Pharaoh, and in Isaiah 22:21, God promises that Eliakim will be given political authority over Jerusalem and Judah and will become a “father” to them. This use of “father” was not unique to Israel. In the story of Naaman, we find one of his servants addressing him as “my father” to show his deference to Naaman (2 Kings 5:13).
All this biblical data points to the conclusion that Jesus, as the Anointed Prince of Peace, the King–Priest after the order of Melchizedek, serves as the spiritual and political leader of his people. That he is the “father of perpetuity/eternity” indicates, I believe, his eternality. The Son who bears the weight of government on his shoulders is the Creator by whom all things came to be and who has neither beginning nor ending of life (cf. Heb 7:3).
Regarding whether “Wonderful” and “Counselor” should be read separately (KJV, ASV) or together (most English versions), two factors argue in favor of taking them together. First, the following three titles are two–word titles: “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” “Prince of Peace;” and the last two titles cannot be read separately. “Everlasting Father” is a compound word in Hebrew, and “Prince of” is grammatically connected to “Peace” in such a way that they cannot be read separately. Second, the scribes who added vowels and accents to the Hebrew text in the 500s AD, called Masoretes, accented these words to be read “Wonderful Counselor” and not separately.
There is, however, an intriguing third possibility. Isaiah says, “he name shall be called,” not “his names shall be called.” Since there are some rather long names in Isaiah, like Maher–shalal–hash–baz (Isa 8:3), it is at least possible that this is one long name “Wonderful-Counselor-Mighty-God-Father-of-Eternity–Prince-of-Peace.” In Hebrew it would be pele’–yo‘ets–el giboravi‘ad–sar–shalom.
Whatever the case, the reality behind these words is amazing and worth celebrating! The Son of God was born, lived, died, rose again, and is soon coming as our King! My heart yearns for the day when the government shall indeed be upon his shoulder!
Blessings,
Phil