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Protestant Apologetics

El Gibbor — The Mighty God

Isaiah 9:6 / Isaiah 10:21
Deity of Christ Strong Tone-safe
Doorstep Question
"In , the Messiah is called El Gibbor — Mighty God. One chapter later in , Jehovah is called El Gibbor — the identical Hebrew phrase. If there's only one Mighty God, what does that tell us? "
JW Claim

Jesus is a Mighty God but not THE Almighty God.

Strategy

The identical Hebrew phrase El Gibbor is used for both the Messiah and Jehovah within one chapter. This creates a logical fork: either Jesus is Jehovah, or there are two Mighty Gods — which contradicts JW monotheism.

Key Insight

The same exclusive divine title is applied to both Jehovah and the Messiah within one chapter of the same book.

Likely JW Response 1

It says Mighty God, not Almighty God — there's a difference.

Your Counter

El Gibbor is the same title used of Jehovah in the very next chapter. The Hebrew is identical. There is no textual distinction.

Likely JW Response 2

He is the Father of Eternity because through his blood people can receive eternity.

Your Counter

'Father of Eternity' is a title describing who he IS, not what he GIVES. The text says his name shall be called these things — they are identity titles.

Likely JW Response 3

The four titles in Isaiah 9:6 are just messianic descriptors — a poetic list, not a claim about divine identity.

Your Counter

Each of the four is divine-identity language and the stack is deliberate. 'Wonderful Counsellor' — says no creature is God's counsellor; only God has the wisdom the title names. 'Mighty God' (El Gibbor) — the identical phrase is applied to Jehovah Himself in , the very next chapter. 'Father of Eternity' (Avi-Ad) — a title no creature whose existence is bounded can carry; it names the one who authors and possesses eternity. 'Prince of Peace' — the same Hebrew shalom-rule attributed to Jehovah throughout the Psalms (29:11; 85:8-10). Read together they are not four polite compliments; they are four identity-claims confessing that the child born is the God who appeared in the Old Testament.

What to Avoid

Don't get sidetracked by the 'Mighty vs Almighty' deflection. Stay on the identical Hebrew phrase.

Homework to Assign

Read Isaiah chapters 9 and 10 together in any English translation.

Source: Jeff Durbin (used in 6 of 9 encounters)
Next in The Key in Your Pocket — A Christ-Centred Reading of Scripture (Step 8 of 10)
Jesus as Alpha and Omega
Revelation 22:12–16
Next in Theological Triage at the Door — Lead With Christ (Step 4 of 10)
Ego Eimi — 'I AM'
John 8:58