Any questions or comments on this week's material

Submitted by saltysteve on Mon, 01/04/2010 - 17:21

Any comments?

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Miriam and Elisabeth

Submitted by Onesimus on Fri, 01/08/2010 - 11:49.

Something that I have always loved about this part of the narrative of the incarnation is the pure beauty of the family relationship between these two ladies, it seems so essentially Jewish with the strength of family ties and the evident love and respect that flow between them and between them and the Almighty.

The law does not feature here, neither does any kind of ritual, it's just two women of great faith and calling of the Almighty fusing in harmony to praise Adonai.

Is this not a template for a loving, caring relationship between the children of the Lord? It is a truly beautiful picture and surely one in which we can rejoice with them that Adonai has also done great things for us!

Baruch Ha'Shem

RE part 6

Submitted by Drussell52 on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 17:36.

Hi, first chance I have had to get back here since Monday. Anyhow, I would like to thank you for your comments concerning my question regarding the use of the word blessed in verses 42 and 45. I am interested in your remark that what we have are incomplete accounts, perhaps we assume since Scripture is inspired that we regard the words dictated by God to the given author so the account may be as complete as possible. The problem suggesting otherwise would seem to open a cavern to pick and choose what "we" discount from Scripture and I personally don't care to go there.

Levi and Judah: Tribal Intermarriage

Submitted by edvasicek on Mon, 01/04/2010 - 19:16.

Never heard that Elizabeth was at Hebron. Interesting.

Mary, we know, was of David's line, and therefore of the tribe of Judah.

Elizabeth, her relative, had married Zechariah, who, as a priest, would have been of the tribe of Levi. Does anyone know if this was typical (I know it was allowed), but, in many ancient cultures, people would tend to marry within their tribe.

Any thoughts on this?

part 6 - inter-marriage and question

Submitted by Drussell52 on Mon, 01/04/2010 - 21:12.

Hi Edvasicek and everyone,
I am not versed in the issues of inter-marriage and such of that time, but would wonder since Elizabeth was somewhat to considerably older than Miriam, if Zecharias being her husband, priest, and tribe of Levi would have been more accepted or permissible than someone wedding within their tribe?
I also had a question regarding the use of the word "blessed" in verse 42 and 45. Would it be something to be taken together as it is my understanding that the Hebrew listener would hear things as a unit rather than something separated out as may be the case in western culture? "Blessed are you" and "blessed is the fruit of your womb" are what I am referencing.
Thanks.

Blessed

Submitted by edvasicek on Wed, 01/06/2010 - 01:01.

We don't know what words they may have actually said in Hebrew, just the "dynamic" equivalent in Greek. It could be that only one "blessed" was spoken and applied to both, but Luke adapted his translation for western audiences. Who knows?

I do know that the Jews in general bless God's Name ("blessed be He Who brings forth bread from the earth") rather than blessing things or blessing people. When you bless people in the First Testament, it is more like, "The LORD bless you..."

Of course we only know what God has chosen to inspire; but we also know that what we have are partial statements and summaries.

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