Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the term "virgin" primarily refers to a woman who has not engaged in sexual relations. The concept of virginity holds significant theological and cultural importance throughout the Scriptures, often symbolizing purity, devotion, and consecration to God.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for virgin is "bethulah," which is used to describe young women who are unmarried and have not known a man. Virginity is often associated with purity and is a prerequisite for marriage. For instance, in Genesis 24:16, Rebekah is described as "a virgin, and no man had been intimate with her," highlighting her suitability as a bride for Isaac. The Law of Moses contains specific regulations regarding virgins. In Deuteronomy 22:13-21, laws are outlined concerning the accusation of a bride's lack of virginity, emphasizing the importance of sexual purity before marriage. The consequences for false accusations or proven impurity were severe, reflecting the cultural and religious significance of virginity. Prophetic Symbolism Virginity also carries symbolic meaning in the prophetic literature. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a virgin in a messianic prophecy: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). This prophecy is later understood in the New Testament as referring to the birth of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the miraculous nature of His conception and the fulfillment of God's promise. New Testament Fulfillment In the New Testament, the Greek word "parthenos" is used for virgin. The most significant reference to a virgin is found in the accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is described as a virgin who conceived by the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah. In Luke 1:34-35, Mary questions the angel Gabriel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel responds, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." The virgin birth of Jesus is a cornerstone of Christian doctrine, underscoring His divine nature and the miraculous intervention of God in human history. Matthew 1:23 explicitly connects the birth of Jesus to Isaiah's prophecy: "Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel" . Parables and Teachings Jesus Himself uses the imagery of virgins in His teachings. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to ten virgins who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom. This parable emphasizes the importance of readiness and vigilance in anticipation of Christ's return. The wise virgins, who were prepared with oil for their lamps, are contrasted with the foolish ones who were not, illustrating the necessity of spiritual preparedness. Cultural and Theological Implications Throughout the Bible, virginity is often associated with spiritual purity and dedication to God. The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 11:2, expresses his desire to present the church as "a pure virgin to Christ," using the metaphor of virginity to describe the church's faithfulness and devotion to Jesus. In summary, the concept of virginity in the Bible encompasses both literal and symbolic meanings, reflecting themes of purity, divine intervention, and spiritual readiness. The virgin birth of Jesus Christ stands as a pivotal event in Christian theology, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and affirming the miraculous nature of God's redemptive plan. Greek 3933. parthenos -- a maiden, a virgin ... a maiden, a virgin. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: parthenos Phonetic Spelling: (par-then'-os) Short Definition: a virgin Definition: a maiden ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3933.htm - 7k Library Whether the virgin's Aureole is the Greatest of All? The virgin's Lamp. Whether the Flesh of Christ was Conceived of the virgin's Purest ... The Word of God did not Become Flesh Except in the virgin's Womb ... Counter-Statements of Theodoret. Taking the Passage Concerning the Honeycomb in the Song of Songs.. ... Then Further it is to be Observed that no Creature Can be Such as ... The Annunciation The Burial and Assumption of the Blessed virgin The Tome of St. Leo. Thesaurus Virgin's (2 Occurrences)...Virgin's (2 Occurrences). Luke 1:27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. ... /v/virgin's.htm - 7k Shiloah (1 Occurrence) Siloah (1 Occurrence) Shelah (18 Occurrences) Zoheleth (1 Occurrence) Enrogel (4 Occurrences) En-rogel (4 Occurrences) Siloam (4 Occurrences) Field (390 Occurrences) Fuller's (4 Occurrences) Resources Should Christian women use tampons? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened at the Pool of Siloam? | GotQuestions.org Who was Bernard of Clairvaux? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Virgin's (2 Occurrences)Luke 1:27 Deuteronomy 22:29 Subtopics Related Terms |
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