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Pseudo-Philo praises Jael as glorified among women for killing Sisera with her own hands. Luke echoes the same Jewish blessing when Elizabeth calls Mary blessed among women, a formula first used of Jael in the song of Deborah.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Pseudo Philo Biblical Antiquities 32:12
Classical
11 And now in these days, Sisera arose to enslave us, and we cried out to the Lord our God, and he commanded the stars, saying: "Leave your positions, and burn my enemies, that they may recognize my power." And the stars descended and scattered their camp and protected us without any effort. 12 Therefore, we will not cease to sing praises, nor shall our mouths be silent from telling of his marvelous works: for he has remembered his promises, both new and old, and has shown us his salvation: and therefore does Jael boast among women, because she alone brought this victory to fruition, as she killed Sisera with her own hands. 13 O earth, go forth, you heavens and lightnings, go, you angels and hosts, and tell the ancestors in the treasure-houses of their souls, and say: "The Almighty has not forgotten the least of all the promises he made with us, saying: 'I will perform many wonders for your children.' And now from this day forward, it shall be known that whatever God has promised to men that he will fulfill, he will fulfill it, even if man dies."
Date: 50-120 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Luke 1:42
New Testament
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She exclaimed with a loud voice, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb! 43 And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me? 44 For the instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
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Notes and References
... Pseudo-Philo relates Jael's story through allusions to Judith and also retains the sense of Jael's special stature among women, saying, 'Jael is glorified among women, because she alone has made straight the way to success by killing Sisera with her own hands' (L.A.B. 32.12; English translation found in OTP, 2. 346). ...
Wilson, Brittany E.
Pugnacious Precursors and the Bearer of Peace: Jael, Judith, and Mary in Luke 1:42
(p. 439) Catholic Biblical Association of America, 2006
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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