What is the Hebrew word for virgin?

The Hebrew word for virgin is “bethulah” and cannot be found anywhere in the original Hebrew text, meaning that the original writer did not intend for it to be read as “virgin” but as “young” girl.

What does virgin mean in the Bible?

young woman
“Most translations now follow that,” he says, “because the Hebrew word means young woman; it doesn’t say anything about her sexual experience.” Coogan, who is also the author of God and Sex, notes that a precise word for virgin is used elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible.

What does virgin mean in Greek?

“Virgin” originated from the Greek and Latin word “virgo,” or maiden. It was used often in Greek mythology to classify several goddesses, such as Artemis (also known as Diana) and Hestia.

What does Bethulah mean in Hebrew?

Bethulah can be applied to a virgin regard- less of age, whether young or old ; na’arah to a young girl, but. ‘ almah to a virgin in her girlish years. In the Punic language, which is closely related to the Hebrew, a virgin is similarly.

What does Mary mean in Hebrew?

bitter, beloved
The name Mary is of various origins, but most notably Hebrew origin and means “bitter, beloved, or drop of the sea.” It is derived from the Hebrew name Maryam/Mariam, and though the origins are not entirely clear, it is believed the meaning of Maryam is “drop of the sea” (from Hebrew roots mar, meaning “drop” and yam.

Is Mary a virgin in the Hebrew Bible?

Mary is the Virgin Mother of the promised Messiah who is called Emmanuel, God with us! Clearly then, Mary plays a role in God’s plan of saving His people, and indeed she was foreseen from the time of Isaiah as the virgin who would give birth to Emmanuel.

What did virginity mean in ancient times?

While virginity today may conjure images of fragility, in many ancient civilizations, virginity signaled a woman’s independence and strength. Virgins were “free women,” not subject to the will of a man.

Does Betulah mean virgin?

It all boils down to this: the distinctive Hebrew word for “virgin” is betulah, whereas ‘almah means a “young woman” who may be a virgin, but is not necessarily so.

What is a Betulah?

The Bible uses an unrelated word, betulah (‏בְּתוּלָה), to refer to a virgin, as well as the idea of virginity, betulim (‏בְּתוּלִים).