1:25a
In Greek, Luke’s introduction to the statement in this verse (literally, “saying”), which identifies it as something that Elizabeth said, comes at the end of verse 24. The Berean Standard Bible translates it there as “She declared.” Some versions, such as the New International Version, place this introduction within the quotation:
“The Lord has done this for me,” she said.
Place this introduction where it would be most natural in your language.
The Lord has done this for me: The word this refers to the fact that God had given Elizabeth the ability to conceive a child in her old age.
Lord: This is the same term as in 1:6b. See also Lord, Context 2, in the Glossary.
1:25b
In these days: The phrase In these days refers to the general time period in which Elizabeth became pregnant. Another way to translate this is:
Now
He has shown me favor: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He has shown me favor is literally “he noticed/looked at (me).” It implies here that God was gracious to her and showed his concern and favor toward her. Some ways to translate this here are:
he has been gracious to me (NET Bible)
-or-
the Lord has helped me (Good News Translation)
1:25c
taken away my disgrace among the people: The words my disgrace refer to the fact that when a Jewish woman could not have children, people thought that she must have displeased God. Every Jewish wife greatly desired to have children, especially sons. When God made Elizabeth able to become pregnant, he took away the reason why she had felt ashamed.
Your translation should not imply that Elizabeth’s disgrace was because she had done something wrong. In some languages, it may be necessary to specify what this disgrace was. For example:
taken away from me the disgrace of childlessness (Revised English Bible)
Some other ways to translate this part of the verse are:
He has removed my public disgrace. (God’s Word)
-or-
What he has done prevents people from making me feel ashamed ⌊as I did when I had no children⌋.
among the people: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as among the people is literally “among people.” It does not refer specifically to certain people.
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