γῆρος

From the study of Luke 1:36

Range of meaning

Old age, the stage of life when one is elderly. γῆρος is a Hellenistic form of the classical γῆρας.

Against the English

'In her old age' is a faithful rendering in all versions.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Old Testament Gen 21:7: Sarah says 'I have borne a son in my old age (ἐν τῷ γήρει μου)', the same rare form and phrasing found here. Gen 21:2 and Ps 92:14 use the related form. Luke's description of the couple as 'advanced in their days' (1:7, 1:18) echoes Gen 18:11.

From the study of Wisdom of Solomon 4:16

Range of meaning

γῆρας is old age. πολυετής is 'of many years', 'long-lived'. Together: 'old age of many years', a long old age.

Against the English

KJV and Brenton split the phrase into 'the many years and old age', which makes it sound like two things. In Greek it is one: a long old age. WEB's 'the many years of an unrighteous man's old age' and NRSV's 'prolonged old age' are closer.

Used elsewhere in the period

Israel's wisdom tradition treated long life as the reward of righteousness (Exod 20:12; Deut 5:33; Prov 3:2, 16; 10:27; 16:31: 'grey hair is a crown of glory, gained in a righteous life'). An early death could look like a sign of God's displeasure (Ps 55:23; 102:24). Wisdom 4:8–9 redefines the idea: 'honourable old age is not that of long time, nor measured by number of years; understanding is grey hair for people, and a spotless life is ripe old age.' Hellenistic Jewish writers such as Philo make a similar point, that the true 'elder' is marked by wisdom and not by years.