Open AccessHannah’s Song: A Foreshadowing of the Magnificat
Author(s) -
James W. Ellis
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
european journal of theology and philosophy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2736-5514
DOI - 10.24018/theology.2021.1.3.14
Subject(s) - parallels , old testament , blessing , covenant , literature , faith , philosophy , art , relevance (law) , theology , law , mechanical engineering , political science , engineering
Although women’s words account for a small portion of biblical scripture, the Bible records two related prayerful songs that were sung by female prophets: the song of Hannah, in the Old Testament, and the Magnificat of Mary, in the New Testament. This essay uses typological methodology to explore the songs’ connections, including their shared literary precedents and nearly identical theological themes. Their fundamental similarities suggest Hannah’s song served as a harbinger of the Magnificat. Hannah and Mary’s shared blessing, divinely ordained motherhood, and their shared inspiration, the Holy Spirit, explain the parallels of their prayerful verses and prophetic utterances, which were of great relevance for both covenants of the Judeo-Christian faith.