The Catholic Defender: Mary’s Fiat and Typologies found in the Old Testament
- Jan 16
- 3 min read
Mary's Fiat and Typologies found in the Old Testament.
Before I begin looking at the Virgin Mary's Fiat, I want to take a look at some of the Old Testament typologies regarding Mother Mary.
A "Typology" could be defined as a belief in the continuity of the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Biblical Typology is when a person or event in the Old Testament foreshadows a person or event in the New Testament.
Just as God, prepared the way for His son in the history of Israel, so, too, He prepared the way for the mother of His son.
These types can be through people, places, or things.
We can focus on really just about every Old Testament woman that had a part to play in Salvation history.
For the purpose of this writing, I will focus on five of them; Eve, Hannah, Judith, Esther, and Bathsheba.
Eve is the first woman whose name means "The Mother of the Living".
Mary from the bible is the Mother of the Church.
Mary is the Mother of all who obey the Commandments and bear testimony to God.
Revelation 12:17 Genesis 3:15 and Revelation 12 are uniquely tied as we see the woman, her offspring, and the serpent also known as the Devil.
Mary is the "New Eve" being obedient to the Lord where the original Eve was not causing Original Sin and death.
Hannah was a woman who was barren, she was without child and she would approach the Temple pleading to the Lord a child promising she would offer her child for His service.
She miraculously conceived giving birth to Samuel, a great prophet of God.
Hannah prefigures Mary who held to a vow of virginity, probably associated with the Essence that reinforced that dedication.
Hannah received a supernatural conception bringing forth a prophet, Mary also received the incarnation through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mary's Fiat ("let it be done") at the Annunciation, her total "yes" to God, finds echoes in Old Testament figures like Eve (whose disobedience Mary reverses), Sarah (miraculous motherhood), Hannah (song of praise, prophetic son), Queen Esther (intercession), and the Ark of the Covenant (bearing God's presence), showcasing her role as the New Eve, Ark, and Queen Mother, preparing for her unique role in salvation history.
The first woman, whose disobedience is contrasted with Mary's perfect obedience, ushering in the "first Gospel" (Protoevangelium) in Genesis 3:15.
The Ark of the Covenant: The sacred chest housing God's presence (Word, Manna, Law), prefiguring Mary as the Tabernacle carrying the Word made Flesh (Jesus).
The Burning Bush (Exodus 3): Held God's presence without being consumed, foreshadowing Mary bearing the divine fire (Christ) without corruption.
Sarah (Genesis 18): A barren woman miraculously given a son (Isaac) by God, foreshadowing Mary's supernatural fertility.
Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2): Mother of Samuel, who prayed for a son and offered him to God; her hymn (Magnificat) is a direct prototype for Mary's Magnificat.
Queen Esther: Interceded for her people, mirroring Mary's role in cooperating with God for humanity's salvation.
The Tower of David / Enclosed Garden (Song of Songs): Symbols of inviolability, purity, and the presence of God, reflecting Mary's perpetual virginity.
The New Eve: Just as Eve was the "mother of all the living" but introduced death, Mary is the "New Eve" who, through her Fiat, brings forth Christ, the source of Life.
Ark of the Covenant: The Old Testament Ark contained the Law, Manna, and Aaron's rod. Mary is the "New Ark" because she carried the Living Word (Jesus), the Bread of Life, and the Eternal High Priest in her womb.
The Burning Bush: Moses saw a bush that burned but was not consumed. This is seen as a type of Mary, who contained the "fire" of the Godhead within her virginity without being consumed or corrupted.
Daughter Zion: The prophets used this term for the faithful remnant of Israel. Mary is seen as the ultimate "Daughter Zion" who welcomes the King into her midst.
The Queen Mother (Gebirah): In the Davidic kingdom, the king's mother held a position of high authority and intercession. This prefigures Mary’s role as Queen Mother to Christ, the King of Kings.
Jacob’s Ladder: As the ladder connected heaven and earth, Mary is the "gate" or "ladder" through which God descended to earth and humans can ascend to God.
The Ark of the Covenant went three months into the hill country as did the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Visitation
These figures and symbols in the Old Testament – the "types" – are perfected in the New Testament reality of Mary, preparing the faithful to understand her unique role as the vessel of salvation, whose faithful "fiat" opened the door for God's plan.
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