Luke 1:25
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
G3754
πεποίηκεν
dealt
G4160
πεποίηκεν
dealt
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
4 of 16
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
6 of 16
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἡμέραις
the days
G2250
ἡμέραις
the days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
8 of 16
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
αἷς
wherein
G3739
αἷς
wherein
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Isaiah 4:1And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.Hebrews 11:11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.Luke 1:13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.1 Samuel 1:6And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.Genesis 25:21And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
Historical Context
Barrenness was considered divine judgment in Jewish culture (Deut 28:18), making Elisabeth's pregnancy God's visible vindication of her righteousness. Her testimony would strengthen community faith and prepare for the greater miracle of virgin birth.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we properly attribute our circumstances to God's sovereign purpose without fatalism?
- What does God's timing in removing Elisabeth's reproach teach about waiting on Him?
- How should concern for God's glory shape our response to personal vindication?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Elisabeth's attribution—'Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me'—demonstrates theological understanding of divine sovereignty in personal circumstances. The verb 'looked on' (Greek 'epeiden') indicates God's compassionate attention, the same word used of God's regard for Israel's affliction (Acts 7:34). Elisabeth's recognition that God 'took away my reproach among men' shows how barrenness carried social stigma, yet her concern wasn't merely human opinion but God's glory. Her statement 'in the days wherein' specifies God's perfect timing. This models proper theological interpretation of personal experience through the lens of God's character and purposes.