Elizabeth
Pronounced eh-LIZ-uh-beth
- Meaning
- "God is my oath; Pledged to God"
- Origin
- Hebrew (Elisheva)
Elizabeth comes from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning "God is my oath" or "pledged to God." In the New Testament, Elizabeth was the wife of the priest Zechariah and the mother of John the Baptist. She was also a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Elizabeth and Zechariah were described as "righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless" (Luke 1:6). Like Sarah before her, Elizabeth was barren and advanced in years when God miraculously granted her a son. When Mary visited Elizabeth during their pregnancies, the baby John leaped in Elizabeth's womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Her exclamation — "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!" — is one of the most celebrated greetings in Christian tradition.
Spiritual meaning
Elizabeth's name declares covenant faithfulness — 'God is my oath.' Her story proves that God fulfills His promises in His perfect timing, turning barrenness into blessing and silence into song.
Related verses (KJV)
"And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."
Luke 1:6 (KJV)
"Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."
Luke 1:42 (KJV)