Topical Encyclopedia
Virginity, in the biblical context, refers to the state of an individual, typically a woman, who has not engaged in sexual intercourse. This concept holds significant spiritual, moral, and cultural implications throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the values and expectations of ancient Israelite society and early Christianity.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, virginity is often associated with purity and moral integrity. The Hebrew word "bethulah" is commonly used to denote a virgin. Virginity was highly valued, especially in the context of marriage. A woman's virginity was considered a symbol of her honor and the honor of her family. The Law of Moses contains specific regulations regarding virginity, emphasizing its importance.
Deuteronomy 22:13-21 outlines the consequences for a man who falsely accuses his wife of not being a virgin at the time of marriage. If the accusation is proven false, the man is punished, and the woman's honor is upheld. Conversely, if the accusation is true, the woman faces severe consequences. This passage underscores the societal emphasis on virginity as a prerequisite for marriage.
The account of Dinah in
Genesis 34 illustrates the cultural significance of virginity. When Shechem, a Hivite prince, defiles Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, her brothers respond with outrage, leading to a violent retribution. This narrative highlights the protective attitude towards a woman's virginity and the lengths to which her family would go to defend it.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, virginity continues to be esteemed, particularly in the context of spiritual devotion. The Greek word "parthenos" is used to describe a virgin. The most notable reference to virginity is found in the account of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Matthew (1:23) and the Gospel of Luke (1:27) both affirm Mary's virginity at the time of Jesus' conception, fulfilling the prophecy of
Isaiah 7:14: "Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel" .
The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, addresses the topic of virginity in the context of Christian living. In
1 Corinthians 7:25-38, Paul discusses the virtues of remaining unmarried and the benefits of virginity for those who wish to dedicate themselves fully to the Lord's work. He acknowledges that while marriage is honorable, those who remain virgins can serve God without distraction.
Symbolic and Spiritual SignificanceVirginity also carries symbolic and spiritual significance in the Bible. It is often used metaphorically to describe purity and faithfulness to God. In
2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul expresses his desire to present the Corinthian church as a "pure virgin" to Christ, emphasizing spiritual fidelity and devotion.
The Book of Revelation further employs the imagery of virginity in describing the 144,000 who are redeemed from the earth.
Revelation 14:4 states, "These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes" . This passage highlights the concept of spiritual purity and the call to follow Christ with undivided loyalty.
Cultural and Ethical ConsiderationsThroughout biblical history, virginity has been intertwined with cultural norms and ethical considerations. The expectation of virginity before marriage reflects broader themes of covenant faithfulness and the sanctity of marriage. The biblical portrayal of virginity underscores the value placed on sexual purity and the belief that such purity is integral to one's relationship with God and others.
In summary, virginity in the Bible is a multifaceted concept encompassing physical, spiritual, and symbolic dimensions. It is esteemed as a virtue, representing purity, devotion, and faithfulness, both in human relationships and in one's relationship with God.
Topical Bible Verses
Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Topicalbible.orgMatthew 1:25
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Topicalbible.org
Ephesians 5:31
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The quality or state of being a virgin; undefiled purity or chastity; maidenhood.
2. (n.) The unmarried life; celibacy.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
VIRGIN, VIRGINITYvur'-jin; vur-jin'-i-ti:
(1) bethulah, from a root meaning "separated," is "a woman living apart," i.e. "in her father's house," and hence "a virgin." Bethulah seems to have been the technical term for "virgin," as appears from such a combination as na`arah bhethulah, "a damsel, a virgin," in Deuteronomy 22:23, 28, etc. An apparent exception is Joel 1:8, "Lament like a virgin bethulah.... for the husband of her youth," but the word is probably due to a wish to allude to the title "virgin daughter of Zion" (the translation "a betrothed maiden" is untrue to Hebrew sentiment). and the use of "virgin" for a city (Isaiah 37:22, etc.; compare Isaiah 23:12; Isaiah 47:1) probably means "unsubdued," though, as often, a title may persist after its meaning is gone (Jeremiah 31:4). The King James Version and the English Revised Version frequently render bethulah by "maiden" or "maid" (Judges 19:24, etc.), but the American Standard Revised Version has used "virgin" throughout, despite the awkwardness of such a phrase as "young men and virgins" (Psalm 148:12). For "tokens of virginity" ("proofs of chastity") see the commentary on Deuteronomy 22:15;.
(2) `almah, rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) by either "damsel" (Psalm 68:25), "maiden" (so usually, Exodus 2:8, etc.), or "virgin" with margin "maiden" (Songs 1:3; Songs 6:8 Isaiah 7:14). The word (see OHL) means simply "young woman" and only the context can give it the force "virgin." This force, however, seems required by the contrasts in Songs 6:8, but in 1:3 "virgin" throws the accent in the wrong place. The controversies regarding Isaiah 7:14 are endless, but Septuagint took `almah as meaning "virgin" (parthenos). But in New Testament times the Jews never interpreted the verse as a prediction of a virgin-birth-a proof that the Christian faith did not grow out of this passage. See IMMANUEL; VIRGIN BIRTH.
(3) parthenos, the usual Greek word for "virgin" (Judith 16:5, etc.; Matthew 1:23, etc.). In Revelation 14:4 the word is masculine. In 1 Corinthians 7:25; the Revised Version (British and American) has explained "virgin" by writing "virgin daughter" in 7:36-38. This is almost certainly right, but "virgin companion" (see Lietzmann and J. Weiss in the place cited.) is not quite impossible.
(4) neanis, "young woman" (Sirach 20:4).
(5) Latin virgo (2 Esdras 16:33).
The Old Testament lays extreme emphasis on chastity before marriage (Deuteronomy 22:21), but childlessness was so great a misfortune that death before marriage was to be bewailed (Judges 11:37, 38). Paul's preference for the unmarried state (1 Corinthians 7:29 if) is based on the greater freedom for service (compare Matthew 19:12), and the Greek estimate of virginity as possessing a religious quality per se is foreign to true Jewish thought (such a passage as Philo Mund. opif., section symbol 53, is due to direct Greek influence). Some have thought to find a trace of the Greek doctrine in Revelation 14:4. But 144,000 lst-century. Christian ascetics are out of the question, and the figure must be interpreted like that of James 4:4 (reversed).
Burton Scott Easton
Greek
3932. parthenia -- virginity ... virginity. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: parthenia Phonetic Spelling:
(par-then-ee'-ah) Short Definition:
virginity Definition:
virginity.
... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3932.htm - 6kStrong's Hebrew
1331. bethulim -- virginity... 1330, 1331. bethulim. 1332 .
virginity. Transliteration: bethulim Phonetic
Spelling: (beth-oo-leem') Short Definition: virgin. Word
... /hebrew/1331.htm - 6kLibrary
Of Holy Virginity.
Of Holy Virginity. . Of Holy Virginity. St. Augustine. Rev. CL Cornish,
MA Table of Contents. Title Page. Of Holy Virginity. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/of holy virginity /
Two Epistles Concerning Virginity
Two Epistles Concerning Virginity. <. Two Epistles Concerning Virginity Clement
of Rome. Translated by the Rev. BP Pratten Table of Contents. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/two epistles concerning virginity/
Of Holy virginity
Of Holy Virginity. . ... Of Holy Virginity. Of Holy Virginity. [De Virginitate.]
Translated by Rev. CI Cornish, MA, of Exeter College, Oxford. Retr. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/of holy virginity /of holy virginity.htm
On virginity. Introduction.
... II."Ascetic and Moral. On Virginity. Introduction. The object of this treatise is
to create in its readers a passion for the life according to excellence. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on virginity introduction.htm
Whether virginity is a virtue?
... OF VIRGINITY (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether virginity is a virtue? Objection 1:
It would seem that virginity is not a virtue. For "no virtue ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether virginity is a virtue.htm
Whether virginity is Unlawful?
... OF VIRGINITY (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether virginity is unlawful? Objection
1: It would seem that virginity is unlawful. For whatever ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether virginity is unlawful.htm
Heaven is the Home of virginity, and the Son of God Its Author...
... Three Books Concerning Virgins. To Marcellina, His Sister. Book I. Chapter V.
Heaven is the home of virginity, and the Son of God its Author? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v heaven is the.htm
Concerning virginity.
... Book IV. Chapter XXIV."Concerning Virginity. ... For man was formed of virgin soil. From
Adam alone was Eve created. In Paradise virginity held sway. ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xxiv concerning virginity.htm
Whether virginity is the Greatest of virtues?
... OF VIRGINITY (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether virginity is the greatest of virtues? Objection
1: It would seem that virginity is the greatest of virtues. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether virginity is the greatest.htm
Divinity of virginity.
Two Epistles Concerning Virginity. <. ... Disciple of Peter the Apostle.
Chapter VI."Divinity of Virginity. The womb of a ...
/.../clement/two epistles concerning virginity/chapter vi divinity of virginity.htm
Thesaurus
Virginity (12 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. VIRGIN,
VIRGINITY.
... For "tokens of
virginity"
("proofs of chastity") see the commentary on Deuteronomy 22:15;.
.../v/virginity.htm - 15kTokens (11 Occurrences)
... things, and brings up an evil name on her, and says, "I took this woman, and when
I came near to her, I didn't find in her the tokens of virginity;" (WEB JPS ...
/t/tokens.htm - 9k
Proof (38 Occurrences)
... things, and brings up an evil name on her, and says, "I took this woman, and when
I came near to her, I didn't find in her the tokens of virginity;" (See NIV). ...
/p/proof.htm - 18k
Shameful (27 Occurrences)
... things, and brings up an evil name on her, and says, "I took this woman, and when
I came near to her, I didn't find in her the tokens of virginity;" (WEB ASV ...
/s/shameful.htm - 15k
Whoredoms (34 Occurrences)
... committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were
their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity. ...
/w/whoredoms.htm - 17k
Display (30 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:17 and behold, he has accused her of shameful things, saying,'I
didn't find in your daughter the tokens of virginity;' and yet these are the ...
/d/display.htm - 15k
Daughter's (6 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:17 and behold, he has accused her of shameful things, saying,'I
didn't find in your daughter the tokens of virginity;' and yet these are the ...
/d/daughter's.htm - 8k
Caressed (3 Occurrences)
... played the prostitute in Egypt; they played the prostitute in their youth; there
were their breasts pressed, and there was handled the bosom of their virginity...
/c/caressed.htm - 7k
Accused (29 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:17 and behold, he has accused her of shameful things, saying,'I
didn't find in your daughter the tokens of virginity;' and yet these are the ...
/a/accused.htm - 15k
Companions (58 Occurrences)
... She said to her father, "Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months,
that I may depart and go down on the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and ...
/c/companions.htm - 23k
Resources
How accurate was the virginity test mentioned in Deuteronomy 22? | GotQuestions.orgIs born again virginity possible? | GotQuestions.orgIs the perpetual virginity of Mary biblical? | GotQuestions.orgVirginity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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