Isaiah 9:6 – Father of Eternity

Some render the phrase often transliterated as “Abi-ad” in Isaiah 9:6 as “Father of Eternity” rather than simply “eternal father” or “everlasting father”. As yet we have not seen any good explanation of what such a “name” would mean as opposed to the simple expression “eternal father”. It would seem to indicate that Jesus is someway the one who brought eternity into being. One would have to define eternity and also how Jesus would be the Father, the life-giver, of Eternity, in order for such a translation to make any sense. If it is thought to mean that Jesus is the source of eternity, and Jesus himself is eternal (which some have defined existing outside of time), then it would mean that eternity did not exist, and therefore Jesus himself did not exist, until Jesus, who would be non-existent without eternity, brought eternity into being so that Jesus could exist in this allegded idea of eternity. Nevertheless, many insist that it should be rendered this way, and then claim that it proves that Jesus is “eternal”, having no beginning or end thus that he possesses this attribute that only belongs to Yahweh. As yet, we have not seen any explanation given that explains how the rendering “father of eternity” would support such a view as claimed.

One site states: “the Son is called the Father of eternity meaning he is eternal.” If this should be the case, then the simply expression “eternal father” or “everlasting father” would suffice, and there is no argument that Jesus is now eternal, and that he is eternal father, although we highly doubt that this is what is being referred to in Isaiah 9:6. Jesus became the everlasting/eternal father when he became the “life-giving spirit” as the last Adam. — 1 Corinthians 15:45.

It would appear, however, that by saying that “he is eternal” the thought is that Jesus had no beginning, that he has always existed. Many add the thought to the scripture that it means that he existed “in eternity outside of time.” No such thought, however, can be found in the scriptures, without reading such into the scriptures.

One should note the singular “name” to be given in Isaiah 9:6 does not apply until sometime after Jesus is given to Israel (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:32), after he is born to Israel as a son to whom is to be given the dominion (Luke 1:32; Ephesians 1:15-21), which dominion Daniel says is also given to the saints, who become joint-heirs with Jesus. — Daniel 7:27; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 6:2.

Jesus was not actually eternal, however, until he was raised from the dead by his God, else he could not have died, for our sins. It is only since he was raised, that the one called “the first and the last” in Revelation 1:17,18; 2:9, “dies no more.” As such, however, his being eternal relates only to an eternal future, not to an alleged eternal past. — Romans 6:9

On the other hand, the entire meaning of the name of Isaiah 9:6 can be rendered many different ways, with the recognition that EL GIBBOR does not necessarily mean “Mighty God” as that term is usually used in English. The same phrase (in plural form) appears in Ezekiel 32:21, yet I don’t know of any translation that renders the phrase there as Mighty God, or Mighty Gods. Most translations render the phrase in Ezekiel 32:21 as something like “the strong among the mighty”.

More than likely, however, the singular name Pele-joez- el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom was never meant to be rendered as a series of names (plural) or titles, as we find it most translations. This singular name is given to the Messiah by the God and Father of the Messiah (2 Corinthians 11:31; Ephesians 1:3; 1:17; 1 Peter 1:3), Yahweh (Jehovah). (Isaiah 9:7) As a singular name,  it is describing the God and Father of Messiah, and not Messiah himself.  As singular name, it has been given the meaning: “Wonderful in counsel is God the Mighty, the everlasting Father, the Ruler of peace.” It thus illustrates that the Messiah, the one anointed by Yahweh, does all things to the glory and honor of his God and Father. — Luke 19:38; John 5:30; 8:28,49; 15:15; 17:18; Philippians 2:11; 1 Peter 1:21.

Messiah means “anointed one”. It corresponds with the word that we know as “Christ”.  The Messiah was anointed by the only true God. The Messiah never has been, nor will be he ever be, the only true God who sent him, and who anointed him.  — Psalm 2:2; 45:7; Isaiah 61:1; John 17:1,3,5; Acts 2:36; 4:27; 10:38.

More concerning Isaiah 9:6 can be found at:
http://godandson.reslight.net/?p=26

http://sonofyah.wordpress.com/2008/09/08/isaiah-967/

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-7NMryvAjfrUDGdpZP_AvOQ–?cq=1&p=9

http://notrinity.blogspot.com/2008/07/isaiah-96.html