### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek proper noun Ἐλισάβετ (Elisábet), Strong's number `{{G1665}}`, is a transliteration of the Hebrew name אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Elisheva), Strong's number `{{H452}}`. The Hebrew name is a compound, typically interpreted as "My God is an oath" or "God of oath." The first element, אֵל ('el), signifies "God," while the second, שֶׁבַע (sheva), can mean "seven" (implying completeness or fullness) or "oath" (related to the verb שָׁבַע, shava, "to swear, take an oath"). Given the biblical context of covenant and divine promise, the "oath" interpretation is highly significant. The semantic range of Ἐλισάβετ is restricted to its function as a proper noun, referring exclusively to the wife of Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist in the New Testament. Its etymological root, however, imbues the name with profound theological resonance regarding God's faithfulness to His sworn promises.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Elisabeth appears exclusively in the Gospel of Luke, primarily in chapter 1, where she plays a crucial role in the narrative of the birth of John the Baptist and the pre-incarnation events surrounding Jesus.
* **[[Luke 1:5]]**: Introduced as the wife of Zechariah, both described as "righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord." This establishes her character as a devout and faithful Israelite, despite their advanced age and her barrenness.
* **[[Luke 1:7]]**: Explicitly states her barrenness and advanced age, setting the stage for a miraculous divine intervention, echoing Old Testament narratives of barren women (e.g., Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel).
* **[[Luke 1:13]]**: The angel Gabriel announces to Zechariah that Elisabeth will bear a son, John, fulfilling God's promise.
* **[[Luke 1:24]]**: After Zechariah's return, Elisabeth conceives and secludes herself for five months, acknowledging God's gracious act: "Thus has the Lord done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."
* **[[Luke 1:36]]**: Gabriel informs Mary of Elisabeth's miraculous pregnancy, using it as a sign of God's power: "And behold, your relative Elisabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren."
* **[[Luke 1:39-45]]**: This passage describes Mary's visit to Elisabeth. Upon hearing Mary's greeting, Elisabeth is "filled with the Holy Spirit," and the baby in her womb (John) leaps for joy. Elisabeth then utters a Spirit-inspired blessing upon Mary and her unborn child, recognizing Jesus as "my Lord" even before His birth. This moment highlights Elisabeth's prophetic insight and the pre-eminence of Christ.
* **[[Luke 1:57-66]]**: Details the birth of John the Baptist. Elisabeth's joy and her insistence on naming the child "John" (as instructed by Gabriel, confirming Zechariah's prophecy) further underscore her obedience and faith in God's revealed plan.
Elisabeth's narrative arc demonstrates God's power to overcome human limitations, His faithfulness to His promises, and her pivotal role in bridging the Old Covenant expectation with the New Covenant reality.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Elisheva)**: The Hebrew equivalent (`{{H452}}`), notably the name of Aaron's wife (Exodus 6:23), linking Elisabeth to the priestly lineage and the history of Israel. This connection reinforces the theme of God's enduring covenant with His people.
* **Zechariah**: Elisabeth's husband, a priest, who also experienced divine intervention and prophecy. Their joint righteousness and faith are a foundational aspect of their story.
* **John the Baptist**: Her miraculous son, the forerunner of Jesus, whose birth and ministry are central to the Gospels. Elisabeth's role as his mother connects her directly to the preparation for the Messiah.
* **Mary**: Elisabeth's relative, whose encounter with Elisabeth is a profound moment of spiritual recognition and joy, showcasing the Holy Spirit's work.
* **Barrenness and Conception**: A recurring motif in biblical narratives (e.g., Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah), symbolizing God's sovereign power to initiate salvation history through seemingly impossible circumstances.
* **Righteousness (δίκαιος, *dikaios*)**: Elisabeth and Zechariah are described as righteous, emphasizing their adherence to God's law and their blameless conduct.
* **Holy Spirit (Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον, *Pneuma Hagion*)**: Elisabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, enabling her to prophesy and recognize the Lordship of Jesus. This foreshadows the Spirit's role in the New Covenant.
* **Covenant and Promise**: The etymology of Elisabeth's name ("God is an oath") resonates deeply with the fulfillment of God's ancient promises regarding the Messiah and His forerunner.
### Theological Significance
Elisabeth stands as a figure of profound theological significance within the Lukan narrative and broader salvation history.
1. **Divine Faithfulness and Power**: Her miraculous conception in old age directly demonstrates God's ability to fulfill His promises, even when human circumstances seem to render them impossible. She embodies the truth that "nothing will be impossible with God" ([[Luke 1:37]]). Her barrenness, a source of "reproach" in ancient society, becomes the canvas for God's glory.
2. **Bridging the Covenants**: As a righteous descendant of Aaron's wife Elisheva and the mother of John the Baptist, Elisabeth serves as a crucial link between the Old and New Covenants. Her life reflects the piety of faithful Israel awaiting the Messiah, while her son's birth heralds the dawn of the new age.
3. **Prophetic Discernment**: Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elisabeth is among the first to recognize the unique identity of Mary's unborn child as "my Lord" ([[Luke 1:43]]). Her inspired words, delivered while John leaps in her womb, provide the first explicit prophetic affirmation of Jesus' divine nature in the New Testament narrative, preceding even Zechariah's prophecy. This highlights the Holy Spirit's role in revealing Christ.
4. **The Significance of Her Name**: The meaning of her name, "My God is an oath," powerfully underscores the narrative. Her very existence and the miraculous birth of her son are a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. In the face of human inability and the passage of time, God's oath stands firm, bringing forth the forerunner of the Messiah.
### Summary
Ἐλισάβετ (Elisábet), rooted in the Hebrew אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Elisheva), meaning "My God is an oath," is the name of Zechariah's wife and the mother of John the Baptist. Her story, found exclusively in Luke 1, is central to the advent narratives, illustrating God's faithfulness to His promises. Despite her advanced age and barrenness, she miraculously conceived John, demonstrating God's power to overcome human limitations. As a righteous woman filled with the Holy Spirit, Elisabeth prophetically recognized Mary's unborn child as "my Lord," serving as a vital link between the Old Testament expectations and the New Testament fulfillment. Her life and the meaning of her name profoundly attest to God's unwavering commitment to His covenantal oaths, culminating in the preparation for the Messiah.
TRV