1.8 KiB
Mary was engaged to a righteous man named Joseph
Parents normally arranged the marriages of their children. Alternate translation: “The parents of Mary had promised her in marriage to a righteous man named Joseph” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit)
engaged
This could mean ‘promised to be married.’ (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown)
he knew it was not his baby
This could mean ‘he knew that he was not the one who had caused her to be pregnant.’
However, he did not want to shame Mary
The connecting word However contrasts Mary being pregnant with what Joseph believed to be another man’s child, with Joseph’s desire not to shame Mary. You would expect Joseph to be angry and want to shame her but, instead, he responds with mercy. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast)
to shame Mary
This could mean ‘to cause Mary to be publicly disgraced’ or ‘to embarrass Mary publicly.’ Joseph was merciful to Mary even though it seemed like she was an adulteress.
to divorce her quietly
This could also be translated as: “to divorce her without telling others why,” or “to divorce her without telling others about her pregnancy.” Because Joseph was righteous, he wanted to resolve the situation in the best way possible, which in this culture would be to divorce her quietly.
divorce her
Joseph had not married Mary yet, but when a man and woman promised to marry each other, Jews considered them husband and wife though they did not live together. This is why a divorce was necessary rather than simply breaking an engagement. For some languages, it may be better to say: “break their engagement.” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit)
in a dream
This could mean ‘while he was asleep and dreaming.’