📖 Biblical Definition
Elizabeth was the wife of the priest Zechariah, mother of John the Baptist, and relative (Greek syngenis, kinswoman) of Mary the mother of Jesus. She was barren and old when the angel Gabriel announced she would conceive. When the pregnant Mary visited her, the child in Elizabeth's womb leaped, the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth, and she pronounced the first New Testament beatitude: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb (Lk 1:42).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Mother of John the Baptist; wife of Zechariah the priest; kinswoman of Mary; first to bless the unborn Christ.
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Luke 1:5-25, 39-80 record her story. Daughter of Aaron (priestly descent on her father's side); married to Zechariah the priest; barren until Gabriel's announcement.
Her response to Mary's visit (Lk 1:41-45) is striking: filled with the Holy Spirit, she prophesied. Her words include the first New Testament beatitude (blessed art thou among women) and the first New Testament confession of Christ as Lord (the mother of my Lord, Lk 1:43).
📖 Key Scripture
Luke 1:7 — "And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years."
Luke 1:42 — "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."
Luke 1:43 — "And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
Luke 1:45 — "And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often celebrates Mary's Magnificat without honoring Elizabeth's prior Spirit-filled prophecy that prompted it.
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Elizabeth's prophecy (Lk 1:42-45) prompts Mary's Magnificat. The older woman, filled with the Holy Spirit, blessed the younger; the younger responded with one of Scripture's great hymns. Two pregnant women, two prophetic moments, one gospel arriving in flesh.
Her son leaped in her womb at the sound of Mary's greeting (Lk 1:41) — John the Baptist's prophetic ministry began before his birth. The household's appreciation of pre-natal life finds biblical anchor here.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Elisheva; God is my oath.
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Hebrew Elisheva — El (God) plus sheva (oath / seven).
Note: same name as the wife of Aaron (Ex 6:23); Luke's Elizabeth was of Aaronic priestly descent.
Usage
"Two pregnant women, two prophetic moments, one gospel arriving in flesh."
"John the Baptist's prophetic ministry began before his birth."
"Blessed is she that believed."