The term "virgin-daughter" is a compound expression found in the Bible, often used metaphorically to describe cities or nations, particularly in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. This expression conveys notions of purity, vulnerability, and sometimes impending judgment or deliverance. The imagery of a "virgin-daughter" is rich with cultural and theological significance, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern context in which these texts were written.

Biblical Usage:

1. Metaphorical Representation:
· The term "virgin-daughter" is frequently used to personify cities or nations, emphasizing their purity or untouched state. For example, in Isaiah 37:22 , the prophet Isaiah speaks against the Assyrian king Sennacherib, saying, "This is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head behind you.’" Here, "Virgin Daughter of Zion" symbolizes Jerusalem, portraying it as pure and under divine protection despite the threats from Assyria.

2. Symbol of Vulnerability and Judgment:
· The term also conveys vulnerability, as seen in the prophetic warnings of judgment. In Jeremiah 14:17 , the prophet laments, "You are to speak this word to them: ‘Let my eyes overflow with tears day and night without ceasing, for the Virgin Daughter of my people has been crushed with a mighty blow, with a sorely infected wound.’" This passage uses the imagery of a "virgin-daughter" to express the deep sorrow and impending judgment upon the people of Judah.

3. Promise of Restoration:
· Despite the connotations of judgment, the term can also be associated with hope and restoration. In Lamentations 2:13 , the prophet seeks comfort for the afflicted city: "What can I say for you? With what can I compare you, O Daughter of Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may comfort you, O Virgin Daughter of Zion? For your ruin is as vast as the sea; who can heal you?" Here, the "Virgin Daughter of Zion" is depicted as in need of healing, suggesting a future hope of restoration.

Cultural and Theological Context:

· Cultural Significance:
· In the ancient Near Eastern context, the concept of virginity was closely tied to ideas of purity and honor. A "virgin-daughter" would be seen as a symbol of potential and promise, yet also as one who is vulnerable to violation or attack. This cultural backdrop enriches the metaphorical use of the term in the biblical text.

· Theological Implications:
· Theologically, the use of "virgin-daughter" underscores God's relationship with His people. It highlights themes of covenant fidelity, divine protection, and the consequences of disobedience. The imagery serves as a reminder of God's desire for His people to remain pure and devoted to Him, while also acknowledging their susceptibility to sin and external threats.

Conclusion:

The term "virgin-daughter" in the Bible is a powerful metaphor that encapsulates themes of purity, vulnerability, judgment, and hope. It reflects the complex relationship between God and His people, as well as the cultural values of the ancient world. Through this imagery, the biblical authors convey profound truths about divine justice, mercy, and the ultimate promise of restoration for those who remain faithful.

The Rule of Veiling not Applicable to Children.
... Behold that virgin-daughter of yours already wedded"her soul by expectancy, her
flesh by transformation"for whom you are preparing a second husband! ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter xi the rule of veiling.htm

Of Spyridon, Bishop of the Cypriots.
... Spyridon. Another was of this kind. He had a virgin daughter named Irene,
who was a partaker of her father's piety. An acquaintance ...
/.../chapter xii of spyridon bishop of.htm

Tertullian, Having Shown his Defence to be Consistent with ...
... I pray you, be you mother, or sister, or virgin-daughter"let me address you according
to the names proper to your years"veil your head: if a mother, for ...
/.../on the veiling of virgins/chapter xvi tertullian having shown his.htm

Diversity of Dreams and visions Epicurus Thought Lightly of Them ...
... Herodotus [1771] relates how that Astyages, king of the Medes, saw in a dream issuing
from the womb of his virgin daughter a flood which inundated Asia; and ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xlvi diversity of dreams and.htm

Thekla Singing Decorously a Hymn, the Rest of the virgins Sing ...
... Jephthah offered his fresh slaughtered virgin daughter a sacrifice to God, like
a lamb; and she, nobly fulfilling the type of Thy body, O blessed One, bravely ...
/.../chapter ii thekla singing decorously a.htm

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... Again, in the language of the prophets the people of God are called "the daughter,"
"the virgin daughter of Zion," "the daughter of Jerusalem," "the daughter ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm

The Heathen, who have not a Full Revelation of the Truth...
... him, takes it off in the circus, as if bent on exposing himself before everybody;
the father who carefully protects and guards his virgin daughter's ears from ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xxi the heathen who.htm

The Battle of Carchemish
... 3. Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin daughter of Egypt: In vain
dost thou use many medicines; There is no healing for thee. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/viii the battle of carchemish.htm

Rhapsody
... And thou shalt say this word unto them, 'Let mine eyes run down with tears night
and day, and let them not cease; for the virgin daughter of my people is ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/rhapsody.htm

Heavenly Worship
... Sion is now desolate; she hath been ravished by the enemy; she hath been utterly
destroyed; her vail hath been rent asunder, and the virgin daughter of Sion is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/heavenly worship.htm

Virgin-daughter (3 Occurrences)
Virgin-daughter. Virgin, Virgin-daughter. Virginity . Multi-Version
Concordance Virgin-daughter (3 Occurrences). 2 Kings ...
/v/virgin-daughter.htm - 7k

Virginity (12 Occurrences)
... for the husband of her youth," but the word is probably due to a wish to allude
to the title "virgindaughter of Zion" (the translation "a betrothed maiden" is ...
/v/virginity.htm - 15k

Trampled (41 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:21 this 'is' the word that Jehovah spake concerning him: 'Trampled on
thee -- laughed at thee, Hath the virgindaughter of Zion Behind thee shaken ...
/t/trampled.htm - 19k

Laugheth (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that Jehovah has spoken against him: The virgin-daughter
of Zion despiseth thee, laugheth thee to scorn; The daughter of ...
/l/laugheth.htm - 9k

Wags (2 Occurrences)
... Wags (2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that Yahweh has spoken concerning
him: "The virgindaughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you. ...
/w/wags.htm - 6k

Tosses (3 Occurrences)
... Tosses (3 Occurrences). 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that Yahweh has spoken
concerning him: "The virgindaughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you. ...
/t/tosses.htm - 7k

Ridiculed (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that Yahweh has spoken concerning him: "The
virgindaughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you. ...
/r/ridiculed.htm - 10k

Despises (16 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him: The virgin
daughter of Zion hath despised thee and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter ...
/d/despises.htm - 11k

Despiseth (23 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that Jehovah has spoken against him: The
virgin-daughter of Zion despiseth thee, laugheth thee to scorn; The daughter of ...
/d/despiseth.htm - 13k

Mocks (11 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that Yahweh has spoken concerning him:
"The virgindaughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you. ...
/m/mocks.htm - 9k

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