However, Scripture provides enough information to distinguish between what is stated directly and what is only historical assumption.<\/em><\/p>\n 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\u2014a 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.<\/p>\n Mary is described as a virgin, betrothed to Joseph. This shows her family status, but does not state her age.<\/p>\n \u201cNow 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\u2019s name was Mary.\u201d Luke 1:26\u201327<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n 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\u201316 years old. But it must be emphasized: this is not a biblical fact, but a historical reconstruction.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s exact age is unknown.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThen Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.\u201d Matt. 1:19<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Gospel also shows that he worked, traveled, fulfilled civic duties, and protected Mary and the infant Jesus.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.\u201d Luke 2:6<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cWhen he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt.\u201d Matt. 2:14<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIsaac 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.\u201d Gen. 25:20<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n 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.<\/p>\n This is a good example of how the Bible sometimes speaks very specifically. Therefore, not all biblical characters are equally \u201cundefined\u201d in matters of age. In some places we have a fact, and in others\u2014only general features.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cNow 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.\u201d Gen. 24:16<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cThen they called Rebekah and said to her, \u2018Will you go with this man?\u2019 And she said, \u2018I will go.\u2019\u201d Gen. 24:58<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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:<\/p>\nWhat the Bible says about Mary<\/h2>\n
What can be said about Joseph<\/h2>\n
Isaac: here the Bible gives an exact number<\/h2>\n
Rebekah: what is known and what is not<\/h2>\n
Why it is important to distinguish fact from assumption<\/h2>\n