NT Characters: Mary

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/marymp3/">website</a>.</p><p><strong>Birth & marriage</strong></p><ul><li>We have information on her over a period of some 36 years.</li><li>Birth<ul><li>We know nothing of her family, though there is a tradition that her parents were Joachim and Anne.</li><li>She was named after Miriam (prophetess, leader, singer, sister of Moses).</li><li>Birth year around 20 BC.</li></ul></li><li>Marriage<ul><li>Betrothed (Luke 2:5) -- nearly as binding as a marriage, though the relationship was not consummated until after the wedding.</li><li>Probably married between age 12 and 14.</li><li>Conception<ul><li>Virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14).</li><li><i>'almah </i>(Hebrew) / <i>parthenos </i>(Greek)</li><li>But did not remain a virgin (Matthew 1:25), despite later traditions.</li></ul></li></ul></li><li>Poor family<ul><li>"No room in the inn" (Luke 2:7). (The word for <i>inn</i> may also mean <i>upper room.</i>)</li><li>Firstborn cradled in a food trough.</li><li>Sacrifice of birds at her purification (Luke 2:24; see Leviticus 12:8).</li></ul></li><li>Large and religiously observant family.<ul><li>Had at least 8 children (Matthew 13:55-56).</li><li>In Jerusalem for the feasts (Luke 2:41).</li><li>Circumcises Jesus on the 8th day (Luke 2:21).</li><li>Offers the required sacrifice for birth of firstborn (Luke 2:24).</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>A speculative reconstruction of Mary's life</strong></p><ul><li>20 BC - born in Bethlehem</li><li>7 BC - engaged to Joseph</li><li>7 BC - miraculous conception of Jesus</li><li>6 BC - birth of Yeshua (Jesus), family moves to Egypt</li><li>4 BC - Death of Herod the Great; return from Egypt; family relocates to Nazareth</li><li>3 BC - Birth of Ya‘aqov (James)</li><li>1 BC - First daughter born</li><li>2 AD - Yosef (Joseph) born</li><li>3 AD - second daughter born</li><li>5 AD - daughter born (lives only a few days)</li><li>7 AD - Luke 2 visit, when Jesus is 12</li><li>9 AD - third (surviving) daughter