OET interlinear LUKE 1:71

Section 1:67–80: Zechariah prophesied and praised God

In this section the Holy Spirit gave Zechariah insight, and Zechariah spoke the message in 1:68–79. Some scholars call the message a song because it praises God and is similar to some of the psalms, which people often sang. In the message, Zechariah praised God for keeping his promises by sending the Messiah, who would deliver Israel (1:68–75). He also prophesied that his son, John, would prepare people for the Messiah (1:76–79). John grew up (1:80) and fulfilled this prophecy.

Many verbs in 1:68–79 are in the past tense. But Zechariah was not talking only about the past. He talked about what God was doing at that time and what he would continue to do through the Messiah and through John. If possible, use verb forms that do not refer only to past events.

The phrases in Zechariah’s prophecy are similar to phrases in the Old Testament Scriptures. Almost every clause is similar to a verse in the Old Testament. However, none are so similar that it is clear that Zechariah is quoting a certain verse. You may want to include cross-references to some of the similar verses. They will be mentioned in the Notes.

For your translation of 1:68–79, you may want to write the clauses of this song on separate lines, as poetry. For an example, see 1:68–79 in the BSB, NIV, or GNT. In Greek, 1:68–79 is phrased as two long sentences. Most modern English versions use more and shorter sentences. The Notes will give suggestions about sentence breaks. Remember that there may be special phrases in your language that are appropriate for poetry, even if they are not used in ordinary conversation.

In this section Zechariah did not speak about events in the order in which they happened. In some languages it may be necessary to change the order of the clauses to make the sequence of events clear. For example, here is a possible way to begin this section in some languages:

^68aPraise be to the Lord the God of Israel!

⁷³Long ago he swore an oath to our father Abraham.

^74aHe promised to rescue us from the hand of our enemies…

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Zechariah praised God and prophesied about John

Zechariah praised God for the Messiah who would save Israel

Zechariah’s prophecy

Zechariah’s song of praise to God

salvation from our enemies

• Now he has provided this mighty Savior to rescue us^(incl) from our^(incl) enemies

• He is giving us this mighty Savior to save us^(incl) from our enemies;

• This Savior will deliver us^(incl) from all our^(incl) enemies.

and from the hand of all who hate us,

• and to release us from the power of all who hate us.^(incl)

• that is, from the power of everyone who hates us.^(incl)

• He will save/rescue us^(incl) from all the people who hate us.^(incl)

General Comment on 1:68b–71

In these verses, Zechariah spoke about what God was doing at the time when he was speaking. He was keeping the promises that he had made through his prophets long before that time. God had promised that he would send a Savior and that someone would come before the Savior to prepare for him. John was the person who came before the Savior, Jesus. His birth indicated that the Savior would also be coming soon.

In some languages it may clearer to change the order of the clauses in 1:68b–71. For example:

⁷⁰Just as God said through his holy prophets of ancient times, ^68bhe has visited his people to deliver them. ^69aHe has given us a mighty Savior ^69bfrom the house of his servant David. ^71aHe will save us from our enemies, ^71bfrom the power of all who hate us.

⁷⁰God has done just as/what he promised he would do through his holy prophets who lived long ago. ^68bHe has come to us, his people, to help us and has begun to deliver us. ⁶⁹He will send to us a powerful one descended from his servant King David to rescue us. ^71aHe will deliver us from the power of all our enemies who hate us.