A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. There are those who like to state the simple fact that almah isn't the spacific Hebrew term for "virgin".
Is.7:14 Therefore the LORD Himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin (almah) shall concieve, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
The reason some people make this obvious point is to attempt to discredit Christianity. Sure "betulah" is the spacific Hebrew term for virgin, However almah in general context would be Exspected to be a virgin much like a (pure/ young) Lady of today (yesterday). This should be evident to those interested in (and familure with) the Hebrew term.
Almah- a lass: (as veiled or private) - translated: damsel, maid, virgin
Its the femine of elem and its root is alma.
Alma - hide, veil, kept out of sight.
So which sounds more like a almah?
A female that gets around and is liberated sexually? /or/
A reserved lady who in most cases would be a virgin?
"Virgin" is A correct English translation of almah in Is.7:14! Reason being is cause the term virgin in the English doesn't only mean one untouched sexually. Example: Virgin is used to describe one who hasn't been seduced spiritually as well. The context of almah would be used to describe a innocent lady (undefiled, unbeguiled,...), afterall Mary's physical virginity wouldn't have been the only thing YHVH would have been interested in when it comes to the Mother of Jesus.
So while such critics don't have any reguard for the context of the Gospels (Matt.1:20,23/ Jn 1:14/ Lk.1:35/ Matt.3:17) they also seek to put almah into their own context, quick to claim what one isn't yet never really telling you what one is.
Lets look at other areas where almah is used:
Gen.24:43 Rebekah was called an almah before meeting Isaac!^
Ex.2:8 Sister of Moses (Marium) called almah when Moses was drawn from the water as a baby.
Would you naturally exspect these to be (phy) virgins at this time? YES
Many may ask: How does a virgin concieve and bare a child? By devine intervention! (son of God). This was not the first Super natural child birth in the Word. Sarah was over natural childbearing age when she recieved the news that she would bear a child. Her responce was laughter which is what Isaac means.
Other such births include: Isaac, Jacob (Esau), Joseph, Samson, Samuel, John the baptist of which the mothers were barron. Mary was the only virgin birth
Ps.2:7 also describes the king of Yisrael as a begotten son of God.
More on Yeshua (Jesus) being begotten son of God found HERE (Lions Den Group)
Is.7:14 is a double prophacy that directly relates to the son of Isiah being a sign of G-d's favor (Immanuel) in a time when the king was rebellious. Is.7:14 doesnt mention a physical virgin it uses the term almah again cause it relates to both son of Isiah and is a FORESHADOW of messiah who also is a sign of G-d's presence and favor (Emmanuel). Thus the reason the Tanakh doesnt spacifically mention a physical virgin and its not until we get to the NT (Matt.1:18,25/ Lk.1:334-35) that we learn this detail that Mary was a physical virgin. As far as Matt 1:23 goes Shem Tov's uses the term almah (for those who give wieght to that source) However almah never says it Cant be a physical virgin its just not the Hebrew word for virgin. (the Greek texts uses a word in vs.23 that does say virgin and flows with the fore mentioned verses as well as Shem Tov's texts does!). Its not dependant that Matt 1:23 say physical virgin (Those who embrace Shem Tov's Hebrew Matt have no literal contradiction and those who embrace the Greek must acknowledge its not a direct quote from Tanach)..
