Levite and wife of the priest Zechariah, and the mother of John the Baptist.
About Elizabeth
The mother of John the Baptist and a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:36). She came from a family of priests (Luke 1:5). The name Elizabeth comes from the same Hebrew word as Elisheba, the wife of Aaron (Exodus 6:23). It means "my God is an oath." Only the Gospel of Luke, which often emphasizes the role of women, tells us about Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah.
Luke emphasizes that Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous and lived in a way that pleased God (Luke 1:6). However, the couple was elderly and had no children, which was often seen as a disgrace in Jewish culture (Genesis 30:22–23; Luke 1:25). Despite this, they remained faithful in their worship and service to God. One day, an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, announcing that Elizabeth would have a son. This son would be the one to prepare the way for the promised Messiah (Luke 1:13–17). When Elizabeth became pregnant, she stayed in seclusion for five months. During this time, her relative Mary came to visit her.
Family Relationships
- Partner
- Zechariah
- Child
- John (the Baptist)
Key References
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.
All Scripture References (8)
Luke (8)
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.
where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.