An Angel appears to Zacharias. Conception or
Elisabeth.
1 There was in the days of Herod (the king of Judea) a certain priest named Zacharias (of the course of Abia); and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron and her name was Elisabeth.
2 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances (of the Lord), blameless. And they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren and they both were now well stricken in years.
3 And it came to pass that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple (of lova). And the whole multitude (of the people) were praying without at the time of the offering of incense.
4 And there appeared unto him an Angel (of the Lord) standing over the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But 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.
5 And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth; for he shall be great in the sight (of the Lord) and shall neither eat flesh meats nor drink strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
6 And many of the children (of Israel) shall he turn to the Lord (their God); And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts (of the fathers) to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
7 And Zacharias said unto the Angel,
Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is well stricken in years.
And the Angel answering said unto him,
I am Libriel (that stand in the presence of God) and am sent to speak unto thee and to announce unto thee these glad tidings.
8 And behold thou shaft be dumb and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed ; then shall thy tongue be loosed that thou mayest believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in the ix season.
9 And the people waited for Zacharias and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out he could not speak unlo them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he made signs unto them and remained speechless.
10 And it came to pass that, as soon as the days (of his ministration) were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months saying,
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me to take away my reproach among men.