The Bible does not give the exact ages of Mary, Joseph, and Rebekah.
However, Scripture provides enough information to distinguish between what is stated directly and what is only historical assumption.
When people ask how old Mary and Joseph were at the birth of Jesus, and also how old Isaac and Rebekah were when they met, it is important to answer honestly: the Bible does not provide complete information about all these individuals. In some cases, we have only indirect indications, and in one case—a clear number. For a Christian, it is important not to build doctrine on guesses, but to hold to what is revealed in the Word of God.
What the Bible says about Mary
Mary is described as a virgin, betrothed to Joseph. This shows her family status, but does not state her age.
“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.” Luke 1:26–27
From this passage, only a cautious conclusion can be drawn: Mary was a young unmarried virgin, already betrothed. In Jewish society at that time, girls often married at a young age. That is why many commentators assume that Mary may have been around 14–16 years old. But it must be emphasized: this is not a biblical fact, but a historical reconstruction.
For the Adventist approach, restraint is important. Where the Bible is silent, we also should not speak too confidently. Ellen White describes Mary with great respect as a humble, believing woman chosen by God, but she also does not name her age. Therefore, the correct answer is: Mary’s exact age is unknown.
What can be said about Joseph
Scripture speaks of Joseph as a righteous and responsible man. He already held the position of a bridegroom, knew how to make important decisions, and cared for his family.
“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.” Matt. 1:19
The Gospel also shows that he worked, traveled, fulfilled civic duties, and protected Mary and the infant Jesus.
“So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.” Luke 2:6
“When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt.” Matt. 2:14
Yet no text says exactly how old Joseph was. Sometimes later tradition imagines Joseph as much older than Mary, but that is no longer a statement of the Bible. The most careful way to say it is this: Joseph was an adult man, but his exact age is unknown.
Isaac: here the Bible gives an exact number
Unlike the story of Mary and Joseph, Scripture speaks quite clearly regarding Isaac. When he took Rebekah as his wife, he was 40 years old.
“Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian.” Gen. 25:20
Therefore, if the question concerns how old Isaac was when he met Rebekah and took her as his wife, the biblically certain answer is: 40 years old.
This is a good example of how the Bible sometimes speaks very specifically. Therefore, not all biblical characters are equally “undefined” in matters of age. In some places we have a fact, and in others—only general features.
Rebekah: what is known and what is not
As for Rebekah, the Bible does not give her exact age. But she is described as a young woman of marriageable age, physically active, able to act independently and make decisions.
“Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up.” Gen. 24:16
“Then they called Rebekah and said to her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ And she said, ‘I will go.’” Gen. 24:58
These texts show her maturity within the culture of that time, but they do not allow us to name her age in years. There are various Jewish traditions and attempts to calculate her age through genealogies, but such calculations are not indisputable. Therefore, the safest thing to say is: Rebekah was a young woman of marriageable age, but her exact age is not stated in the Bible.
Why it is important to distinguish fact from assumption
Biblical study requires honesty. Some things are revealed directly, while some things God did not consider necessary to tell us. Deuteronomy reminds us of this principle:
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deut. 29:29
This also applies to the question of the age of biblical persons. We do not need to fill in the gaps with imagination. It is enough to say:
Mary — exact age unknown;
Joseph — exact age unknown;
Isaac — 40 years old when he married Rebekah;
Rebekah — exact age unknown.
Such an approach helps preserve reverence for Holy Scripture. Seventh-day Adventists emphasize the principle of “thus says the Lord,” not “thus tradition seems to say.” Where there is a clear text, we speak confidently. Where there is no clear text, we answer carefully.
In conclusion, it is worth remembering: the main purpose of biblical narratives is not to satisfy every historical curiosity, but to lead us to faith, obedience, and trust in God. The practical application is simple: when we read the Bible, let us learn to distinguish divine revelation from human guesswork and build our convictions only on what is actually written in the Word of God.
