Greek word · G1665

Ἐλισάβετ

elisabet

Elizabeth

A Greek rendering of Hebrew אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Elisheba), usually explained as 'my God is an oath' or 'my God is fullness/abundance'. The exact meaning of the second element is debated.

Appears 9 times in 8 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

Ἐλεισάβετ (T, Rec. Ἐλισ-; see WH, App., 155), ἡ indecl. (Heb. אֱלִישֶׁבַע)

Elizabeth: Luke 1:5 ff.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Luke 1:24

Range of meaning

A Greek rendering of Hebrew אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Elisheba), usually explained as 'my God is an oath' or 'my God is fullness/abundance'. The exact meaning of the second element is debated.

Against the English

'Elizabeth' (modern spelling) or 'Elisabeth' (KJV, YLT). The difference is only spelling.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint, Exod 6:23 gives Aaron's wife as Ἐλισάβεθ. Luke 1:5 calls Elizabeth 'of the daughters of Aaron'.

Where it appears

Luke · 9

  1. Luke 1:5 Ἐλισάβετ.¶ Elizabeth.

    In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.

    Here: Greek form of Elisheba, the name of Aaron's own wife (Exodus 6:23). It is usually explained as 'my God is an oath' or 'my God is abundance.' The name ties her to the first priestly family.

  2. Luke 1:7 Ἐλισάβετ Elizabeth

    But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.

    Here: Greek form of Hebrew Elisheba ('my God is an oath' or 'my God is fullness'), the name of Aaron's wife (Exod 6:23). It fits v. 5, which says she was of 'the daughters of Aaron', a priestly woman married to a priest.

  3. Luke 1:13 Ἐλισάβετ Elizabeth

    But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

    Here: Hebrew *Elisheba*, the name of Aaron's wife (Exod 6:23). It suits a woman 'of the daughters of Aaron' (v.5). The meaning is usually given as 'my God is an oath' or 'my God is abundance', and is not certain.

  4. Luke 1:24 Ἐλισάβετ Elizabeth

    After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,

    Here: The Greek form of Hebrew Elisheba, the name of Aaron's wife (Exod 6:23). It fits her description as one 'of the daughters of Aaron' (1:5), a woman from a priestly family.

  5. Luke 1:36 Ἐλισάβετ Elizabeth

    Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.

    Here: The Hebrew name Elisheva, probably 'my God is an oath' or 'my God is fullness'. It was the name of Aaron's wife (Exod 6:23), which suits a woman Luke calls one 'of the daughters of Aaron' (1:5).

  6. Luke 1:40 Ἐλισάβετ.¶ Elizabeth.

    where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

  7. Luke 1:41 Ἐλισάβετ, Ἐλισάβετ Elizabeth,, Elizabeth

    When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

    Here: Hebrew Elisheba, the name of Aaron's wife (Exod 6:23). She is from a priestly family (1:5), elderly and once barren, now six months pregnant (1:36). She is the subject of the opening clause.

  8. Luke 1:57 Ἐλισάβετ Elizabeth

    When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.