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ELIZABETH
Woman of priestly descent (Lk 1:5) and mother of John the Baptist, she was a relative of Mary, mother of Jesus (v 36). The name Elizabeth, which derives from the same Hebrew word as Elisheba, wife of Aaron (Ex 6:23), means “my God is an oath.” Only Luke’s Gospel, which characteristically focuses greater attention upon the role of women, mentions Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah.
Luke emphasized Elizabeth and Zechariah’s godly character and blameless conduct (Lk 1:6) before stating that the elderly couple had not been favored with children. Although in Jewish culture childlessness was regarded as a reproach (Gn 30:22-23; Lk 1:25), the devout pair continued to steadfastly worship and serve God. Unexpectedly, an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah with the announcement that Elizabeth would conceive and bear a son, who would be the forerunner of the promised Messiah (Lk 1:13-17). When Elizabeth conceived, she withdrew from public life for five months, during which time her kinswoman Mary visited her.
See also John the Baptist.