1:48a
For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason for Mary’s praise in 1:46 and 1:47. It is often translated as “because” in English (as in the NET Bible).
He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as He has looked…on means that God had thought about Mary with concern. He had acted kindly and graciously to her in spite of her humble state. In this context she implied that God had done that by choosing her to be the mother of the Messiah.
Some other ways to translate this are:
he has looked with favour on his servant, lowly as she is (Revised English Bible)
-or-
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he has shown his concern for his humble servant girl (New Century Version)
the humble state of His servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as humble state means “low status.” Mary referred to the fact that she was not an important person. She was just a poor, young girl. Notice that humble here does not refer to humility.
Some other ways to translate this are:
his lowly servant girl
-or-
his servant who is so low in status
His servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant here literally means “female servant/slave.” It is the same word as in 1:38a.
Here Mary again indirectly referred to herself as the Lord’s servant. In some languages you may need to express more directly that she referred to herself. For example:
me, his servant/slave girl
-or-
me, his lowly work-girl
1:48b
The Greek text connects 1:48b to 1:48a with a conjunction that is often translated as “for.” This conjunction often introduces the reason or basis for something. Sometimes it introduces an explanation or evidence for a statement. Here the exact relationship between 1:48a and 1:48b is not completely clear. As you think about this, it may be helpful to remember the implied way that God had been mindful of Mary:
48aHe has been mindful of the humble state of his servant ⌊by choosing her to be the mother of the Messiah⌋. 48bAs a result, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
God was mindful of Mary, and because of that, all generations would call her blessed.
The Greek text also includes a word that calls attention to what Mary said in 1:48b. It is the same word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “now” in 1:20, as “Behold” in 1:31, and as “Look” in 1:36. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate the word here, and some other English versions also do not explicitly translate the word or the conjunction. Here are some other ways to translate the connection:
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
As a result, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed
-or-
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed (New Revised Standard Version)
Translate the connection between 1:48a and 1:48b in a natural way in your language.
From now on: The phrase From now on means:
starting now and for all future time
all generations: The phrase all generations refers to people of all the ages to come, that is, the people from all generations. The word “generation” refers to people who are born in the same general time period. Parents represent one generation and their children represent the next generation.
Some other ways to translate this are:
people of all generations
-or-
people in every age group in every time period
-or-
generation after generation (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
people from every age/time
will call me blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as will call me blessed is related to the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “Blessed” in 1:45a. It means “to call or consider someone to be blessed, to say that he or she is in a good situation.” In this context it implies that people will recognize that God showed favor/kindness to Mary.
Some other ways to translate this are:
will describe my situation as very desirable/joyful
-or-
will consider me blessed/fortunate
-or-
will say, “⌊God greatly⌋ blessed her!”
See the note on “blessed” at 1:45a–b. See also the word bless, Meaning 3, in the Glossary.
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