Topical Encyclopedia
Elizabeth is a significant figure in the New Testament, known for her role as the mother of John the Baptist and her connection to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her account is primarily found in the Gospel of Luke, where she is depicted as a righteous and devout woman.
Lineage and BackgroundElizabeth was a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses, which placed her within the priestly lineage of Israel (
Luke 1:5). She was married to Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah. Both Elizabeth and Zechariah were described as "righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord" (
Luke 1:6).
Barrenness and Divine InterventionDespite their righteousness, Elizabeth and Zechariah were childless, and Elizabeth was considered barren, a condition that carried social stigma and personal sorrow in Jewish culture. They were both advanced in years, which made the prospect of having children naturally impossible (
Luke 1:7).
However, God intervened in their lives in a miraculous way. While Zechariah was serving in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, announcing that Elizabeth would bear a son who would be named John. This child was to be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb and would play a pivotal role in preparing the way for the Lord (
Luke 1:13-17).
Pregnancy and JoyElizabeth's pregnancy was a cause for great joy and a testament to God's power and faithfulness. She expressed her gratitude, saying, "The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people" (
Luke 1:25).
Encounter with MaryElizabeth's account is further enriched by her encounter with Mary, the mother of Jesus. When Mary visited Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She exclaimed with a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (
Luke 1:42-43). This encounter highlights Elizabeth's recognition of the divine nature of Mary's child and her own role in God's redemptive plan.
Birth of John the BaptistElizabeth gave birth to a son, and on the eighth day, during the circumcision ceremony, there was a discussion about his name. Elizabeth insisted that he be named John, in accordance with the angel's message to Zechariah. When Zechariah confirmed this by writing, "His name is John," his speech was restored, and he praised God (
Luke 1:59-64).
LegacyElizabeth's faith and obedience to God are celebrated in the Christian tradition. Her account is a testament to God's ability to work miracles and fulfill His promises, regardless of human limitations. As the mother of John the Baptist, Elizabeth played a crucial role in the unfolding of the Gospel narrative, preparing the way for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Greek
1665. Elisabet --Elizabeth, an Israelitess...Elizabeth, an Israelitess. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration:
Elisabet Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-sab'-et) Short Definition: Elisabeth
...910. baptistes -- a baptizer
... Short Definition: the baptizer, the Baptist Definition: the baptizer, the Baptist,
epithet used only of John, the son of Zechariah andElizabeth, forerunner of...
Library
PrincessElizabeth.
... INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS VOLUME. PrincessElizabeth. Princess of the
Rhine, born in the year 1620. She was the eldest daughter...
Aug. 1561. John Knox's Second Defence to QueenElizabeth.
... 5 AUG. 1561. John Knox's second Defence to QueenElizabeth.... To the myghty and excellent
princessElizabeth the Quenes maiestie of England be these deliuered....
July 1559. John Knox's Declaration to QueenElizabeth.
... 20 July 1559. John Knox's Declaration to QueenElizabeth. To the verteuus
and godlie Elizabeht by the grace of GOD quen of England...
To Mrs. Sarah ) Mrs. Mary And) Abney, Mrs.Elizabeth )
... TO Mrs. SARAH ) Mrs. MARY and) ABNEY, Mrs.ELIZABETH ). Daughters of Sir THOMAS
ABNEY, Kt. and Alderman of London. My Dear Young Friends,....
Jesus is Born in Bethlehem
... Mary had a cousin namedElizabeth, who lived more than a hundred miles away from
Nazareth, and Mary longed to talk with her about all these wonderful things....
Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel
... of Thomas Yeardley John Yeardley's conversion He enters TD Walton's linen warehouse
Joins the Society of Friends Marriage withElizabeth Dunn -- Commencement...
In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God...
... days of Herod the king a priest whose name was Zacharias, of the family of Abijah;
and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name [7] wasElizabeth....
The Story of the Angel by the Altar
... Your wifeElizabeth shall have a son, and you shall name him John.... There the angel
found a young girl named Mary, who was a cousin toElizabeth....
The Dutiful Daughter.
...ELIZABETH W. ORCHARD was born March 6, 1795, at Melksham, in Wiltshire; and from
an early age was very dutiful to her parents, and much attached to her school...
A Son is Promised to Zechariah
... I saw Zechariah talking withElizabeth of his grief; it was near the time for his
turn of service in the Temple, and it was always with sorrow that he went...
Thesaurus
Elizabeth's (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Elizabeth's (1 Occurrence). Luke 1:57 Now when
Elizabeth's full time was come, she gave birth to a son; (WEY).
...Elizabeth (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceElizabeth (9 Occurrences).... He had a wife of the daughters
of Aaron, and her name wasElizabeth. (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)....
Zechari'ah (51 Occurrences)
... He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name wasElizabeth. (See RSV).... Luke
1:40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greetedElizabeth....
Baby (23 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Luke 1:41 It happened, whenElizabeth heard Mary's greeting, that the baby
leaped in her womb, andElizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit....
Zacharias (11 Occurrences)
... He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name wasElizabeth.... Luke 1:40
and entered into the house of Zacharias and greetedElizabeth....
Leap (20 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:41 It happened, whenElizabeth heard Mary's greeting, that the baby leaped
in her womb, andElizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit....
Leapt (2 Occurrences)
... Leapt (2 Occurrences). Luke 1:41 and as soon asElizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the babe leapt within her. AndElizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, (WEY)...
Leaped (10 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:41 It happened, whenElizabeth heard Mary's greeting, that the baby leaped
in her womb, andElizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit....
Womb (84 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:41 It happened, whenElizabeth heard Mary's greeting, that the baby leaped
in her womb, andElizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit....
Mary's (2 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Luke 1:41 It happened, whenElizabeth heard Mary's greeting, that the
baby leaped in her womb, andElizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit....
Resources
Who was Elizabeth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Zechariah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
