.gif)
MARY'S DARING TRIP TO ELIZABETH
Hebron (About 1898 A.D.)
After Gabriel informed Mary she would conceive a child through the Holy Spirit,[1] he further advised her that Elizabeth, her elderly relative,[2] had also conceived a son.[3] Mary “went in a hurry” to visit Elizabeth.[4] She faced a strenuous journey, for Elizabeth lived far south of Nazareth, in a city within the hill country of Judea.[5]
Hebron (About 1898 A.D.)
Zacharias, Elizabeth’s husband, served as a priest.[6] All priests of Israel were Levites,[7] specifically of Aaron’s family line.[8] Eight of the 48 cities[9] God gave the tribe of Levi lay within the hill country of Judea. The eight cities were Hebron, Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, Holon,[10] Debir, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh.[11] Although Luke never mentioned the name of the city in which Elizabeth lived, she and Zacharias would have resided in one of those eight towns.
Hebron (About 1898 A.D.)
Hebron, one of the eight, developed into the chief city within the hill country of Judea and will function as our reference point to calculate the approximate distance Mary traveled to visit Elizabeth. The city lay about 19 miles[12] south of Jerusalem, in a shallow valley west of the Dead Sea. Mary would have traveled southward from Nazareth at least 82 miles[13] before reaching Hebron, depending on the route she took. Traversing that distance required a journey of over a week.
Mary, a young woman of daring character, chose to make the long journey to Judea without her fiancé Joseph. The Scriptures do not suggest anyone accompanied her, although a parting caravan could have prompted her quick departure. By whatever manner Mary traveled to Elizabeth’s home, to initiate such an expedition demonstrated her adventurous spirit.
While both Elizabeth and her husband Zacharias had grown elderly, Mary remained comparatively young.[14] In spite of Elizabeth’s advanced age, her pregnancy had progressed more than six months by the time Mary arrived.[15] Mary stayed three months,[16] long enough to allow her to help Elizabeth through the delivery of her baby.
All for Jesus,
cbagby@BurningHeartBibleStudies.com
www.BurningHeartBibleStudies.com
.JPG)
[2] Luke 1:36; The Greek word sunggenís (süng-gĕn-ĭ́s), used by the angel in Luke 1:36 to refer to Elizabeth’s relationship to Mary, means “female blood-relative,” not cousin or aunt. The Scriptures never clarify the family relationship between Mary and Elizabeth.
[3] Luke 1:36-40
[4] Luke 1:39 NASU
[5] Luke 1:39
[6] Luke 1:5
[7] Levites, descendants of Levi but not of Aaron’s bloodline, served as assistants to the priests, Levites of Aaron’s bloodline. Under the direction of the priests, the non-priest Levites cared for the mundane needs of God’s Temple. For additional information regarding Levites, see “Appendix 3: Glossary.”
[8] Aaron, the brother of Moses, served as Israel’s first high priest.
[9] Joshua 21:1-42
[10] Holon, also known as Hilen (1 Chronicles 6:58)
[11] Joshua 21:4,9-16
[12] 30 kilometers
[13] 132 kilometers
[14] Luke 1:7
[15] Luke 1:35-40
[16] Luke 1:56
Hebron (About 1898 A.D.)
After Gabriel informed Mary she would conceive a child through the Holy Spirit,[1] he further advised her that Elizabeth, her elderly relative,[2] had also conceived a son.[3] Mary “went in a hurry” to visit Elizabeth.[4] She faced a strenuous journey, for Elizabeth lived far south of Nazareth, in a city within the hill country of Judea.[5]
Hebron (About 1898 A.D.)
Zacharias, Elizabeth’s husband, served as a priest.[6] All priests of Israel were Levites,[7] specifically of Aaron’s family line.[8] Eight of the 48 cities[9] God gave the tribe of Levi lay within the hill country of Judea. The eight cities were Hebron, Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, Holon,[10] Debir, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh.[11] Although Luke never mentioned the name of the city in which Elizabeth lived, she and Zacharias would have resided in one of those eight towns.
Hebron (About 1898 A.D.)
Hebron, one of the eight, developed into the chief city within the hill country of Judea and will function as our reference point to calculate the approximate distance Mary traveled to visit Elizabeth. The city lay about 19 miles[12] south of Jerusalem, in a shallow valley west of the Dead Sea. Mary would have traveled southward from Nazareth at least 82 miles[13] before reaching Hebron, depending on the route she took. Traversing that distance required a journey of over a week.
Nazareth to Hebron
Mary, a young woman of daring character, chose to make the long journey to Judea without her fiancé Joseph. The Scriptures do not suggest anyone accompanied her, although a parting caravan could have prompted her quick departure. By whatever manner Mary traveled to Elizabeth’s home, to initiate such an expedition demonstrated her adventurous spirit.
While both Elizabeth and her husband Zacharias had grown elderly, Mary remained comparatively young.[14] In spite of Elizabeth’s advanced age, her pregnancy had progressed more than six months by the time Mary arrived.[15] Mary stayed three months,[16] long enough to allow her to help Elizabeth through the delivery of her baby.
www.BurningHeartBibleStudies.com
[2] Luke 1:36; The Greek word sunggenís (süng-gĕn-ĭ́s), used by the angel in Luke 1:36 to refer to Elizabeth’s relationship to Mary, means “female blood-relative,” not cousin or aunt. The Scriptures never clarify the family relationship between Mary and Elizabeth.
[3] Luke 1:36-40
[4] Luke 1:39 NASU
[5] Luke 1:39
[6] Luke 1:5
[7] Levites, descendants of Levi but not of Aaron’s bloodline, served as assistants to the priests, Levites of Aaron’s bloodline. Under the direction of the priests, the non-priest Levites cared for the mundane needs of God’s Temple. For additional information regarding Levites, see “Appendix 3: Glossary.”
[8] Aaron, the brother of Moses, served as Israel’s first high priest.
[9] Joshua 21:1-42
[10] Holon, also known as Hilen (1 Chronicles 6:58)
[11] Joshua 21:4,9-16
[12] 30 kilometers
[13] 132 kilometers
[14] Luke 1:7
[15] Luke 1:35-40
[16] Luke 1:56
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your desire to please God and to understand His Scriptures. Subscribe to free e-mails of this blog at www.BurningHeartBibleStudies.com.