Luke 1:46
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 9
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Μαριάμ
Mary
G3137
Μαριάμ
Mary
Strong's:
G3137
Word #:
3 of 9
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
Μεγαλύνει
doth magnify
G3170
Μεγαλύνει
doth magnify
Strong's:
G3170
Word #:
4 of 9
to make (or declare) great, i.e., increase or (figuratively) extol
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχή
soul
G5590
ψυχή
soul
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
6 of 9
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
Cross References
Psalms 35:9And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.Isaiah 61:10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.1 Corinthians 1:31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.Isaiah 45:25In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.Romans 5:11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.Philippians 4:4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.2 Corinthians 2:14Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.1 Peter 1:8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:Philippians 3:3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Historical Context
The Magnificat represents one of four hymns in Luke's infancy narrative (along with Zacharias's Benedictus, the angels' Gloria, and Simeon's Nunc Dimittis). Early Christian worship incorporated these hymns, as evidenced by their preservation in liturgical language. Some ancient manuscripts attribute the Magnificat to Elizabeth, though overwhelming textual evidence supports Mary. The hymn's revolutionary social content—exalting the lowly, deposing the mighty—would resonate with Luke's emphasis on Jesus' concern for the marginalized.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Mary's Magnificat demonstrate that worship involves both personal praise and theological reflection on God's character?
- What does Mary's extensive biblical knowledge reveal about spiritual formation and the importance of Scripture memorization?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Mary's Magnificat (vv.46-55) begins 'My soul doth magnify the Lord' (μεγαλύνει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν κύριον). The verb 'megalynō' (μεγαλύνω) means to make great or enlarge—not that Mary can literally make God greater, but that she exalts and proclaims His greatness. This hymn is saturated with Old Testament allusions, particularly Hannah's prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10), demonstrating Mary's deep scriptural knowledge. The structure follows Hebrew poetic parallelism, and the content emphasizes God's mighty acts in salvation history: remembering mercy, scattering the proud, exalting the humble, filling the hungry, sending the rich away empty. Mary sees her personal experience as part of God's larger redemptive pattern of reversing worldly values and vindicating the faithful.