The Divine Child on David's Throne
A child with divine titles would reign on David's throne with an everlasting kingdom.
The Prophecy
Isaiah 9:6-7
~700 BCE
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom.
Manuscript Attestation
Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsaα΅) preserves the complete text; all codices.
Ancient Jewish Interpretation
Targum Jonathan applies this to the Messiah. The fourfold title β particularly "Mighty God" (El Gibbor) β attributes divine qualities to this child. Debarim Rabbah 1 and Bemidbar Rabbah 11 discuss this in messianic context.
The Fulfillment
Luke 1:32-33
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.
Narrative Context
The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary echoes Isaiah's prophecy almost word for word, placing Jesus on David's throne with an everlasting kingdom.
The Evidence
The Great Isaiah Scroll confirms this text existed in the 2nd century BCE. The title "Mighty God" (El Gibbor) is the same title used for God himself in Isaiah 10:21, making this one of the strongest Old Testament texts attributing deity to the Messiah. The Targum Jonathan, though it softens the divine titles, still applies the passage to "the Messiah."