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| The Birth of John the Baptist as told in the Book of Luke in comparison to Mandaean Literature |
| RESEARCH DONE BY AJAE |
| COPYRIGHT 2000 |
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| Introduction Names of Zechariah and Elizabeth His parent were older and had no children His birth was the result of a heavenly interception The Vision and Angel Gabriel His name will be John the Baptist’s birth is threatened John the Baptist is taken away |
| His name will be |
| Etymology of the word John: |
| The Hebrew “John” |
| The word John only appears in the New Testament in Greek form “Ioannes” (Strong’s #2491). The meaning of the “Ioannes” is “Jehovah is a gracious giver". The Greek word “Ioannes” is from the Hebrew word “Yawchanan” (Johanan) (Strong’s #03110). The word “Yawchanan” means, "Jehovah has graced". This word “Yawchanan” comes from the word “Yahowchanan” (Jehohanan) (Strong’s # 03076) The word Yahowchanan means, "Jehovah has graced". This word (Yahowchanan) comes from two words “Yahovah” and Chanan. The word “Yahovah” (Jehovah) (Strong’s # 01961). This word (Yahovah) means "the existing One" and the proper name of God according to Hebrew lexicon. The word Chanan (Strong’s # 02603) means, “to be gracious” and is a primitive root. The word “Yahovah” comes from the root Hayah Chanan (Strong’s # 02603). The word Hayah means to become or to exist. The word Hayah is from the Hava (Strong’s # 01933). This word Hava is means “to be” and is a primitive root. |
| The name John is not an uncommon name in Hebrew or at this period of history. John Hyrcanus I and John Hyrcanus II were priest kings of the Hasmonean family. The Hasmonean Dynasty ruled Palestine in the century before John the Baptist appeared on the scene. Palestine at that time was very Hellenized and Greek became the main language. John the son of Zebedee was a disciple of Jesus. John the son of Zakkai (Yohanan ben Zakkai) was the Pharisaic leader of the formation of Judaism after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. John was also a prophet who received the revelation of Jesus in the Book of John. Josephus talks about a John the Essene who served as a general of the rebel force in Timna (Jewish War, 2.125). 1 Maccabees 2:1 tells us of "Mattathias son of John son of Simeon". Mattathias also has a son called John (1 Maccebees 2:2). John's brother, Judas, led the Jews in rebellion against Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Simon also has a son named John (1 Maccebees 16:19). In fact, there are 27 instances of the name "Johanan" mentioned in the Old Testament. All these Johns lived before John the Baptist. John was indeed a very common name. Why was it so important for Elizabeth in the Book of Luke to declare the name to be John as deemed from God if this is such a common name? There are several theories on this. One theory is that the name Ioannes is from the Babylonian god Oannes. It does seem a little hard to understand how the word “Ioannes” is from the Hebrew word “Yawchanan”. They do not sound that much alike. Furthermore Ioannes as meaning Jehovah is a gracious giver also has problems. Lets look at this theory in more detail: |