📖 Biblical Definition
Elizabeth was the wife of Zacharias the priest, mother of John the Baptist, and cousin (or kinswoman) of Mary the mother of Jesus (Luke 1). Of Aaron’s priestly line through both parents and described as "both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless" (1:6), she was barren until old age — Sarah’s pattern repeated. She conceived after Gabriel’s announcement to her husband in the temple. When Mary came to visit during the sixth month, Elizabeth’s unborn John leapt in her womb at the sound of Mary’s greeting, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Ghost, prophesied: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb" (1:42). Three months of holy fellowship between mothers.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
E-LIZ'A-BETH, n.
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A scriptural proper name; in the New Testament, the mother of John the Baptist.
📖 Key Scripture
Luke 1:13 — "Thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John."
Luke 1:41 — "When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost."
Luke 1:42 — "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."
Luke 1:45 — "Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Elizabeth was old, barren, and prophetic; modern Christianity often overlooks late-season callings.
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Luke 1 is full of late-season callings. Zacharias and Elizabeth are old, righteous, barren. Then Gabriel comes. Elizabeth bears John in her old age; Mary's child leaps in Elizabeth's womb at the sound of Mary's voice; the first New Testament prophetic recognition of the Messiah comes through an old woman's lips: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Modern Christianity often overlooks late-season callings, treating ministry as the province of the young and platform-shaped. Elizabeth's example pushes back. The Lord called an old, barren, faithful woman to bear the prophet who would announce the Messiah. He still calls late. Be faithful in the long obedience; the calling may arrive in the gray-haired years.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Elisheva (H472); Greek Elisabet (G1665).
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H472 — Elisheva — Elizabeth; my God is an oath
G1665 — Elisabet — Elizabeth (Greek)
Usage
"Modern Christianity often overlooks late-season callings; Elizabeth was old, barren, and prophetic."
"The first New Testament recognition of the Messiah came through an old woman's lips."
"Be faithful in long obedience; the calling may arrive in the gray-haired years."