Elisabeth
femaleNew TestamentMeaning: “God is my oath”
The aged, righteous wife of the priest Zacharias and kinswoman of Mary, who bore John the Baptist in her old age and blessed Mary as "the mother of my Lord."
Biography
Elisabeth, the wife of the priest Zacharias and a kinswoman of Mary, was a righteous woman who, like Sarah and Hannah before her, bore a son in her old age — John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah.
Barren and righteous
Luke describes Elisabeth and Zacharias as "both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments… blameless," yet childless and "well stricken in years" (Luke 1:6–7). The angel Gabriel announced to Zacharias that she would bear a son to be called John.
Blessing the mother of the Lord
When Mary, newly told she would bear the Christ, came to visit, the babe leaped in Elisabeth's womb, and she was filled with the Holy Ghost. She cried out, "Blessed art thou among women… And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:42–43) — the first recorded human confession of Jesus' identity.
Mother of the forerunner
Elisabeth bore her son and, against custom, insisted with Zacharias that he be named John (Luke 1:60). Her faith and joy frame the opening of the Gospel and the dawn of the new covenant.
Life Timeline
Conceives John in her old age after Gabriel's announcement
Greets Mary and blesses her as the mother of the Lord
Bears John and confirms his name
On the Bible timeline
Elisabeth belongs to the The Intertestamental Period era (c. 430 – 6 BC).
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Elisabeth
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Elisabeth appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
8 verses in 1 bookLuke8 verses
Luke 1:5
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
Luke 1:7
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
Luke 1:13
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Luke 1:24
And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
Luke 1:36
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Luke 1:40
And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
Luke 1:41
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
Luke 1:57
Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
Frequently asked about Elisabeth
Who was Elisabeth in the Bible?
The aged, righteous wife of the priest Zacharias and kinswoman of Mary, who bore John the Baptist in her old age and blessed Mary as "the mother of my Lord."
What does the name Elisabeth mean?
The name Elisabeth means “God is my oath”.
Who were Elisabeth's children?
Elisabeth's children include John the Baptist.
Where does Elisabeth appear in the Bible?
Elisabeth is mentioned 8 times across 1 book: Luke.
What can we learn from Elisabeth?
The story of Elisabeth touches on themes of elizabeth, conception, miraculous, salutations, abia — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Elisabeth's life.
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