“እጮኛ ፣ ሳይገናኙ” (Matthew 1:18): EOTC’s Understanding

The betrothal of the Virgin Mary to Joseph, as detailed in Matthew 1:18, is often misunderstood. This essay explores the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's (EOTC’s) perspective on the terms "እጮኛ" and "ሳይገናኙ" clarifying that their relationship was not a marital union but served specific divine purposes.

1. Betrothal or Espousal (እጮኛ)

Matthew 1:18 states: "የኢየሱስ ክርስቶስም ልደት እንዲህ ነበረ። እናቱ ማርያም ለዮሴፍ በታጨች ጊዜ ሳይገናኙ ከመንፈስ ቅዱስ ፀንሳ ተገኘች።” While this passage mentions Mary’s betrothal to Joseph, it is crucial to understand that their union was not meant for a marital relationship. The reasons for their betrothal are as follows:

1. To Affirm Mary's Humanity: St. Athanasius clarifies this, stating, “Isaiah prophesied, ‘እነሆ፥ ድንግል ትፀንሳለች’ (Isaiah 7:14), and St. Luke records “…ዮሴፍ ለሚባል ሰው ወደ ታጨች ወደ አንዲት ድንግል” (Luke 1:27), to affirm her humanity.
2. Protection from Stoning: Since Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit without a man, her betrothal to Joseph was to protect her from the penalty of stoning under Jewish law (Deuteronomy 22:20-21).
3. To Include Mary in Jewish Genealogy (የዘር ሐረግ): Jewish lineage was traced through the male side, and the betrothal to Joseph allowed Mary’s genealogy to be recognized through him (Matthew 1:1-16).
4. To Provide Protection and Support: Joseph served as Mary’s guardian during their flight to Egypt, ensuring her safety and the safety of the newborn Christ.”(Matthew 2:13)

Therefore, Mary’s betrothal to Joseph was not for marriage, but to fulfill these divine purposes.

2. ሳይገናኙ ( Before They Came Together)

In Matthew 1:18, the phrase "ሳይገናኙ" has often been misunderstood, with some claiming they had a marital relationship after Christ’s birth. However, this phrase is used to mark the time when Mary conceived Jesus and clarifies that no marital union followed.

St. Jerome counters a man called Helvedius, the 4^th-century opponent, by using an analogy: if one says, “Helvedius, before he repented, was cut off by death, “ሄልፊደስ ንስሐ ከመግባቱ በፊት በሞት ተወግዷል፡፡” ብንል ይህ ማለት “ከሞተ በኋላ ንስሐ ገብቶአል” ማለት ነውን ?” it does not imply he repented after death but that he never repented at all. Similarly, "ሳይገናኙ" emphasizes that Mary and Joseph’s betrothal never transitioned into a marriage.

St. John Chrysostom further explains that this phrase does not mean Mary entered the bridegroom’s house (ሙሽራ/ጫጉላ ቤት) as a wife. Although Mary lived in Joseph’s house after conceiving and giving birth to Jesus, they lived together not as husband and wife but as guardian and servant. The Jews had a custom of keeping their betrothed virgins at home. In Genesis 19:8-14, Lot's sons-in-law (አማቾች) were in the same house with Lot's virgin daughters.

In conclusion, the Virgin Mary’s betrothal to Joseph was divinely purposed, ensuring her protection and affirming her humanity, while "ሳይገናኙ" underscores that their relationship remained non-marital, as guided by God's plan.