μακαρία, here, as elsewhere, points to rare and high felicity connected with heroic moods and achievements. ὅτι, because or that, which? great conflict of opinion among commentators. The former sense would make ὅτι give the reason for calling Mary blessed = blessed because the things she hopes for will surely come to pass. The latter makes ὅτι indicate the object of faith = blessed she who believes that what God has said will come to pass, with possible allusion to her own husband's failure in faith.

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Old Testament