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. 13:18 margin), their " Counselor " (Judg. 20:18; 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. 72:7). For He is the " Prince of Peace."