# When Elizabeth was six months pregnant

The connecting word **When** introduces a background clause. The main event is Mary’s pregnancy and visit to Elizabeth. The background event that was already happening is Elizabeth was six months pregnant. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]])

# Elizabeth

She was Zechariah’s wife. An angel told Zechariah that Elizabeth would give birth to a son.

# six months pregnant

Either she had already been pregnant for six months or she was in the sixth month of her pregnancy.

# pregnant

Different languages have different idioms to talk about pregnancy, such as ‘she was with child’ or ‘she had one in her body’ or ‘she had belly.’ Some languages have special ways of speaking about it politely, such as ‘she was expecting.’ Use an expression that will not be embarrassing to readers.

# Elizabeth’s relative

Many translations say, ‘cousin’ here but we don’t know exactly how these two women were related. A general term like, ‘kin’ or ‘cousin’ could be used.

# She was a virgin and was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph

This is background information about Mary. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

# was engaged

This could mean ‘was promised.’

# Son of the Most High God

This is an important title for Jesus. Mary will bear **a son** who will be called **the Son of the Most High**. Jesus is therefore a human son born of a human mother, and he is also the Son of God. These terms should be translated very carefully. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])