Maidenhood, in biblical terms, refers to the state of being a maiden, which is traditionally understood as a young, unmarried woman, often emphasizing her virginity and purity. This concept is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious contexts of the Bible, where a maiden's purity was highly valued and often associated with honor and virtue.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, maidenhood is frequently mentioned in the context of marriage and family life. The Hebrew word often translated as "maiden" is "bethulah," which specifically denotes a virgin. The preservation of a maiden's virginity until marriage was of utmost importance in ancient Israelite society. This is evident in various laws and narratives that underscore the significance of a woman's purity.

For instance, in Deuteronomy 22:13-21, the law addresses the situation where a man accuses his wife of not being a virgin at the time of their marriage. If the accusation is proven false, the man is punished, but if true, the woman faces severe consequences. This passage highlights the societal emphasis on maidenhood as a symbol of familial honor and integrity.

The account of Rebekah in Genesis 24 also illustrates the cultural importance of maidenhood. When Abraham's servant seeks a wife for Isaac, he encounters Rebekah, described as "a virgin, and no man had been intimate with her" (Genesis 24:16). Her maidenhood is a key factor in her suitability as a wife for Isaac, reflecting the values of purity and faithfulness.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of maidenhood continues to hold significance, particularly in the context of the Virgin Mary. Mary's virginity is a central tenet of Christian belief, underscoring the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth. In Luke 1:26-27, Mary is described as "a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph" , emphasizing her purity and the divine nature of the conception of Jesus.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the topic of maidenhood in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul discusses marriage and singleness, advising that it is good for a person to remain unmarried, as he himself is. He acknowledges the challenges of maintaining purity and self-control, suggesting that marriage is preferable to burning with passion (1 Corinthians 7:8-9). Here, maidenhood is seen as a state that allows for undivided devotion to the Lord, free from the concerns of marital life.

Cultural and Theological Implications

Maidenhood in the Bible is not merely a biological or social status but carries deep theological implications. It symbolizes purity, faithfulness, and a readiness to fulfill God's purposes. The emphasis on virginity and purity reflects broader biblical themes of holiness and sanctification, where believers are called to live lives set apart for God.

In biblical times, a maiden's purity was often linked to the honor of her family and community. This cultural context underscores the collective nature of biblical ethics, where individual actions have communal repercussions. The preservation of maidenhood was seen as a reflection of the community's adherence to God's covenantal laws.

Overall, maidenhood in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that intertwines cultural, social, and theological dimensions. It serves as a reminder of the biblical call to purity and the value placed on living a life that honors God and upholds His commandments.1. (n.) The state of being a maid or a virgin; girlhood; virginity.

2. (n.) Newness; freshness; uncontaminated state.

3932. parthenia -- virginity
... Word Origin from parthenos Definition virginity NASB Word Usage marriage (1). virginity.
From parthenos; maidenhood -- virginity. see GREEK parthenos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3932.htm - 6k

But You Will Say, the Good Will of a Friend Towards Me, Although I ...
... a God being born; leaving not the governance of the world, and coming unto men in
the flesh; unto His Mother bringing fruitfulness, not taking away maidenhood. ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /5 but you will say.htm

Change not Always Improvement.
... "The steel's self," says (Homer), "attracteth the hero." [45] Else if, after that
incentive as well as before, he had persevered in his maidenhood, he might ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter iv change not always improvement.htm

Hymn Before Meat
... Blest Cross-bearer, Source of good, Light-creating, Word-begot, Gracious child of
maidenhood, Bosomed in the Fatherhood, When earth, sea and stars were not. ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/iii hymn before meat.htm

The Petition
... "One morning he saw her at the quarries and, taken with her beauty, asked her at
the hands of the Pharaoh, for the hatefullest bondage pure maidenhood ever knew ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxiv the petition.htm

Whether Christ was Born Without his Mother Suffering?
... therefore did she bring Him forth without pain, without violation of her virginal
integrity, without detriment to the purity of her maidenhood." Christ, indeed ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ was born without.htm

Whether Rape is a Species of Lust, Distinct from Seduction?
... mentioned in Holy Writ. The first is that of a chaste maiden given away
lawfully in her maidenhood to a man. The second is when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether rape is a species.htm

Four Miracles
... Youth and gentle maidenhood, high hope and prosperous circumstances have been wasted,
but the call of Jesus is heard by the ear that was stopped with dust, and ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 39 5 15 5 31 5 41.htm

Cont. With Jairus Cont.
... Surely we may believe, for the sake of the little girl, whose tender grace of
unconscious maidenhood should not, in its hour of reawakened vitality, be the ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 5 21-43 cont with jairus.htm

Light after Darkness
... But for her I pray"for her, out somewhere in this unlifting gloom, her tender
maidenhood uncomforted"with night, with death, with long dishonor threatening ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxv light after darkness.htm

Before Egypt's Throne
... "And the gods judge thee for thy savage use of maidenhood!". ... "The gods judge
me rather for this sweeter use of maidenhood," he said. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxix before egypts throne.htm

Maidenhood (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Maidenhood (2 Occurrences). ... She was of a very great age,
having had after her maidenhood seven years of married life, (WEY). ...
/m/maidenhood.htm - 7k

Maidens (40 Occurrences)

/m/maidens.htm - 18k

Virginity (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality or state of being a virgin; undefiled
purity or chastity; maidenhood. 2. (n.) The unmarried life; celibacy. Int. ...
/v/virginity.htm - 15k

Jephthah's (1 Occurrence)
... of spirit she answered, "Do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of
thy mouth." She only asked two months to bewail her maidenhood with her ...
/j/jephthah's.htm - 8k

Married (152 Occurrences)
... the tribe of Asher. She was of a very great age, having had after her
maidenhood seven years of married life, (WEY BBE). Luke 14:20 ...
/m/married.htm - 35k

Belonging (90 Occurrences)
... the tribe of Asher. She was of a very great age, having had after her
maidenhood seven years of married life, (WEY). Luke 5:3 He ...
/b/belonging.htm - 34k

Maiden (40 Occurrences)

/m/maiden.htm - 24k

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