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NASB | Luke 1:56 ¶ And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 1:56 ¶ And Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned to her home. |
Subject: Greek of Luke 1.36: hosei/about |
Bible Note: Tim, I just looked at the Jewish Encyclopedia 1906 and the Encyclopaedia Judaica 2007. The whole process is quite involved and detailed discussion of it probably well beyond the intent of this forum. Briefly however, according to JE1906 and EJ2007, in Biblical times one method of betrothal allowed but not encouraged was by cohabitation (bi'ah). Objections to this method by some authorities were due to sexual relations within it being considered akin to prostitution, yet the same considerations were turned on their heads to allow for it (still not encouraged) by other authorities in that prostitution was not the reason for betrothal. The typical period of betrothal per JE1906 and EJ2007 was 12 months, but I cannot determine exactly when that was customary. My speculation of the marriage ceremony back then being nearly optional was dead wrong, but the marriage ceremony is only one part of a series of legal procedures. I guess that made it seem less of a major role to me compared to how important modern Westerners consider the marriage ceremony (and the relative unimportance and near 'a-legality' now attached to the engagement), and thus I characterized it incorrectly. I think modern sensibilities have genteelized this discussion. I noticed JE1906 was more "clinical" and matter of fact, while EJ2007 was more discreet. Oh this is fun, yet boy-howdy has it ever strayed from the original question! Rick |