After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph ― Engaged is somewhat inaccurate but only for lack of a better translation. The Hebraic term is erusin which is a formal and legally binding agreement. Neither party can end this stage of marriage without a formal certificate of divorce (called a get) handed to the woman. Erusin is obtained in three ways and must include the intent of marriage;

· Ha’ara’ah: The beginning stages of consummation (foreplay or partial penetration – not to break the hymen)

· Kesef: handing the woman some money or something worth monetary value of at least a perutah (a very small amount).

· Shtar: handing the woman a written document stating erusin in the presence of witnesses.

before they came together ― The Greek term συνελθεῖν (came together) can imply physical cohabitation or coming together under one roof. It can be in reference to full consummation (full penetration), but the term does not always imply sexual relations.

Matthew is likely indicating that she has been obtained as a bride by Joseph through one of the acts of erusin, but the following pregnancy was before they lived together and had not yet completed the formal marriage ceremony (nisuin) which requires five things;

· Kesef: Value of a perutah

· Chuppah: Going under a canopy with the formal ceremony

· Yichud: Isolation after erusin

· Bi’ah HaMa’aseh: The completion of sexual intercourse with full penetration.

· Ketubah: Contract

she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit ― This is in the likeness of Rachel and Joseph. Rachel’s womb was opened up by Hashem and she conceived Joseph[1]. Likewise, Mary being a young woman (almah or na’arah) with a womb not yet opened, had her womb opened and she conceived and gave birth to the one who would fulfill the role of Messiah of Joseph.

❑ This is in the likeness of Sarah and Isaac. For Sarah was advanced in age, but Hashem returned her youth to her and allowed her to become pregnant by the spirit[2]. In contrast, Mary was too youthful and not yet capable of conceiving as she was a na’arah (someone who is legally allowed to be married, but has minimal puberty signs) but had not yet had a menstrual cycle[3]. Hashem gave her the ability to be pregnant before signs of fertility were present, acting in a miraculous manner. Just as Isaac was a promised seed, so too is Messiah called the promised seed. Just as Sarah is the mother of a promised child, so too is Mary the mother of a promised child.

[1] Genesis 30:22 [2] Genesis 18:13-14, Galatians 4:28-30, Genesis Rabbah 53:9, Bava Metzia 87a [3] Even HaEzer 155, Ketubot 46a, Niddah 45b