Q.-Will you kindly give some explanation of the title " The Everlasting Father " given to Christ in Isai. ix. 6?
A.-I cannot think that Coverdale, followed as he is by our A.V., has been happy in giving us " The everlastinge Father " for the Hebrew Abbee Gad. Nor indeed does the better rendering of most by " Father of eternity " appear to fall in with the requirements of the context which clearly has Christ's earthly kingdom in view, and not eternity.
If we compare the most ancient versions, we find that the Greek Septuagint reads, according to the Alexandrian and, Sinaitic MSS., πατὴρ τοῦ μέλλοντος αὶωνος; and the Latin Vulgate " pater futuri saeculi," i.e., " father of the age to come." And this is what appears to me the meaning of the original words before us.
The child born, the son given is " The Mighty God." To His people of old He was the " Wonderful " (Judg. 13:1818And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret? (Judges 13:18) margin), their " Counselor " (Judg. 20:1818And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the Lord said, Judah shall go up first. (Judges 20:18); Job 12:1313With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding. (Job 12:13); Isai. 11:2; 28:29, etc.), and the " Mighty God." So also in " the future age," the millennial age of blessedness for this now sin-stricken earth, will He, the " Mighty God " be known as the " Father " of that age-to establish it, to preserve it, to care for it, to be all that a father is to His people, and " the Governor among the nations." " In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth (Psa. 72:77In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. (Psalm 72:7)). For He is the " Prince of Peace."