Why is St. Mary called the confirmation of Job the Just, the healing of Jeremiah, the redemption of Isaiah, and the daughter of King David?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, particularly within the Sunday Theotokia (the praises dedicated to the Mother of God), St. Mary is identified as the fulfillment of the prophecies, longings, and sufferings of the Old Testament righteous figures. These titles demonstrate that the Incarnation of Jesus Christ through her was the answer to the specific trials of the Prophets.
According to the Sunday Theotokia (specifically the Fourth and Fifth parts), she is given these titles for the following reasons:
1. The Confirmation of Job the Just
Job represents the ultimate human suffering and the questioning of why the righteous suffer.
- The Reason: St. Mary is the "confirmation" or the "true witness" for Job because the birth of Christ through her justified Job’s hope. Job famously said, "For I know that my Redeemer lives" (Job 19:25). By giving birth to the Redeemer who conquered death and suffering, St. Mary provided the ultimate proof and confirmation of Job's faith and endurance.
2. The Healing of Jeremiah
Jeremiah is known as the "Weeping Prophet" who lamented the destruction of Jerusalem and the spiritual sickness of his people. He asked, "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?" (Jeremiah 8:22).
- The Reason: St. Mary is called his "healing" because she gave birth to the True Physician, our Savior. The "balm" that Jeremiah sought was Christ Himself, who heals the wounds of sin and the brokenness of humanity. Through her, the medicine of immortality was given to the world.
3. The Redemption of Isaiah
Isaiah prophesied extensively about the coming of the Messiah, yet he also lamented his own uncleanness, saying, "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5).
- The Reason: Isaiah saw a vision of a live coal taken from the altar by a seraph to touch his lips. In Coptic theology, the Mother of God is the "Golden Censer" carrying the "Divine Coal" (Christ). She is his "redemption" because she brought into the world the One whom Isaiah saw in his visions—the One who would be "led as a lamb to the slaughter" to redeem His people.
4. The Daughter of King David
This title is both genealogical and prophetic.
- The Reason:
- Lineage: St. Mary was a direct descendant of the royal line of King David, of the tribe of Judah. This fulfills the promise that the Messiah would come from the "root of Jesse" and sit upon the throne of David.
- Liturgical/Prophetic: King David himself prophesied about her in the Psalms, calling her "the Queen" standing at the right hand of the King (Psalm 45). In Coptic hymns, we often address David, saying, "Arise, O David... and sing for the Virgin." Because she is his daughter according to the flesh, Christ is legally the Son of David, fulfilling the scriptures.
These titles, found in the Psali and Theotokia of the Coptic Church, remind us that the Old Testament is a shadow of the New, and St. Mary is the golden bridge that brought the fulfillment of all these ancient promises to mankind.