The angel came to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”
Luke 1:28 Modern English Version (MEV)
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Hail - This word of salutation is equivalent to “Peace be with thee,” or “Joy be with thee;” a form of speech implying that she was signally favored, and expressing joy at meeting her.
Highly favoured - By being the mother of the long-expected Messiah - the mother of the Redeemer of mankind. Long had he been predicted; long had the eyes of the nation been turned to him, and long had his coming been an object of intense desire. To be reckoned among his “ancestors” was accounted sufficient honor for even Abraham and David. But now the happy “individual” was designated who was to be his mother; and on Mary, a poor virgin of Nazareth, was to come this honor, which would have rendered infinitely illustrious any of the daughters of Adam the honor of giving birth to the world’s Redeemer and the Son of God.
The Lord is with thee - The word “is” is not in the original, and the passage may be rendered either “the Lord “is” with thee,” or “the Lord be” with thee,” implying the prayer of the angel that all blessings from God might descend and rest upon her.
Blessed art thou among women - This passage is equivalent to saying “thou art the most happy of women.”
Albert Barne’s Notes on the Whole Bible
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My main comment here would be that I would disagree with the interpretation of the word “blessed” as being equivalent to “happy.” This, I believe, does a great injustice to the depth of mean of the Greek word translated as “blessed,” not only here, but commonly in the Beatitudes as well. While some level of happiness may certainly be a component, I think a better understanding would be to say, “specially favored by God.” As with Zechariah, God’s blessing here could be something of a two-edged sword given the circumstances and times.
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