Q&A Home > G > Genealogy

According to Luke 1:5, St. Elizabeth was from the daughters of Aaron from the tribe of Levi. According to Mathew 1, St. Joseph, and therefore St. Mary, were from the tribe of Judah. Since St. Elizabeth and St. Mary were close relatives how is it that they are from two different tribes?

Intermarriage between Israelites from various tribes was common. The children from such marriages were counted to belong to the tribe of their father. St. Mary's and St. Elizabeth's mothers were sisters but St. Mary's father was from the tribe of Judah while St. Elizabeth's father was from the tribe of Levi.