Mary offered a hymn of praise to God

Mary offered a hymn of praise to God as she and Elizabeth greeted each other.
The hymn points out eight of the characteristics of God.

Miriam, or Mary as we call her in English, was a devout Jewess living in the town of Nazareth.
The exact lineage of how Mary and Elizabeth were related is uncertain.
But Elizabeth was from the tribe of Levi and Mary was from the tribe of Judah.
One of the ways they could be related is if a Levite man married a girl from Judah, which often happened.

Elizabeth may have been the only person that Mary could have trusted to talk to about the birth to come.
The angel Gabriel hinted that Mary could talk to Elizabeth who, at the time, was six months pregnant.

Another way was if Elizabeth was Joseph’s sister.
If Mary had no brothers, Joseph would have been adopted by Mary’s father. Joseph would then become the son of Mary’s father so that the inheritance that was passed on to Mary would stay in her family. See Zelophehad’s daughters – Numbers 36:1-12.

In Hebrew Miriam or Mary means: bitter.

Background Reading: – Mary’s Song

1:46 Then Mary said,

“My soul praises the greatness of the Lord!

47 My spirit exults in God, my Savior,

48 because he has looked favorably on his humble servant.

From now on, all generations will call me blessed,

49 because the Almighty has done great things for me.

His name is holy.

50 His mercy lasts from generation to generation

for those who fear him.

51 He displayed his mighty power with his arm.

He scattered people who were proud in mind and heart.

52 He pulled powerful rulers from their thrones

and lifted up humble people.

53 He filled hungry people with good things

and sent rich people away with nothing.

54 He helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful,

55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors—

to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

56 Now Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
Luke 1:46-56

More Information:
Mary and Joseph had other children after Mary gave birth to Jesus.
arranged marriages.


Other slides in this module: