Topical Encyclopedia Elisabeth, a prominent figure in the New Testament, is best known as the mother of John the Baptist and the wife of Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah. Her account is primarily found in the Gospel of Luke, where she is depicted as a righteous and devout woman, living in the hill country of Judea.Lineage and Righteousness Elisabeth was of priestly descent, being a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses. This lineage is significant as it underscores her and her family's deep roots in the religious traditions of Israel. Luke 1:5-6 describes Elisabeth and Zechariah as "righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord." This characterization highlights their piety and adherence to the Law, setting the stage for the miraculous events that would follow. Barrenness and Divine Intervention Despite their righteousness, Elisabeth and Zechariah were childless, and Elisabeth was described as barren, a condition that carried social stigma and personal sorrow in ancient Jewish culture. However, their situation changed dramatically when the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah while he was serving in the temple. Gabriel announced that Elisabeth would bear a son, who would be great in the sight of the Lord and filled with the Holy Spirit from birth (Luke 1:13-15). Elisabeth's conception in her old age is a testament to God's power and faithfulness, echoing the accounts of other biblical matriarchs like Sarah and Hannah. Her pregnancy was a sign of divine favor and a precursor to the coming of the Messiah. The Visitation One of the most significant events involving Elisabeth is the visitation by her relative Mary, the mother of Jesus. Upon Mary's arrival, Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and her unborn child, John, leaped in her womb. This moment is recorded in Luke 1:41-42 : "When Elisabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice, she exclaimed, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!'" Elisabeth's prophetic blessing affirmed Mary's role in God's redemptive plan and recognized the unborn Jesus as the Lord. Birth of John the Baptist Elisabeth gave birth to John, and on the eighth day, during the circumcision ceremony, there was a discussion about the child's name. Zechariah, who had been rendered mute by Gabriel for his initial disbelief, confirmed the name John by writing it on a tablet, and his speech was immediately restored (Luke 1:59-64). This event further emphasized the divine orchestration surrounding John's birth and mission. Legacy Elisabeth's life and faithfulness are celebrated as part of the unfolding narrative of salvation history. Her account is a powerful reminder of God's ability to work through those who are faithful and obedient, regardless of their circumstances. As the mother of John the Baptist, Elisabeth played a crucial role in preparing the way for Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Her example of righteousness, humility, and joy in God's promises continues to inspire believers today. Nave's Topical Index Luke 1:6,41-45And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Nave's Topical Index Library Mary, Future Mother of Jesus, visits Elisabeth, Future Mother of ... Of what John Learned from Jesus when Mary visited Elisabeth in the ... C. The "Magnificat. " Ch. 1:39-56 A Statement of the Manner in which Luke's Procedure is Proved to ... The Second Homily. On the Annunciation to the Holy virgin Mary. Mary's visit to Her Cousin. B. The Annunciation to Mary. Ch. 1:26-38 The Key-Note of a Choice Sonnet The Blessed virgin Mary May have Lived Without Sin. None of the ... Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist. Resources Why do women have such a small role in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about women leaders in government? Should a woman be President? | GotQuestions.org What roles can women fill in ministry? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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