παρθένος
a virgin
Definition
The Greek word παρθένος primarily means 'a virgin,' referring to a young woman who has not had sexual relations. In the New Testament, it is used literally for unmarried women, such as Mary, the mother of Jesus (Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:27), and the prophetesses in Acts 21:9. It also appears metaphorically in parables, like the ten virgins awaiting the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13), symbolizing readiness for Christ's return. In 1 Corinthians 7:25-28, Paul applies it to unmarried men and women in a spiritual context, emphasizing purity and devotion.
Biblical Usage
Παρθένος is used 13 times in the New Testament, appearing in Gospels, Acts, and Pauline epistles. In Matthew and Luke, it describes Mary's virginity, central to the incarnation (Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:27). Matthew 25 uses it parabolically for bridesmaids. Paul employs it in 1 Corinthians 7 to discuss marital status and celibacy, while Acts 21:9 mentions virgin prophetesses. The usage spans literal, symbolic, and ethical contexts.
Etymology
Derived from ancient Greek παρθένος, meaning 'maiden' or 'virgin,' with roots possibly linked to terms for 'unmarried youth.' It entered Koine Greek retaining this core sense, and was adopted in the Septuagint to translate Hebrew words like 'almah' (young woman), influencing its biblical usage.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant, especially in Christology, as it underscores the virgin birth of Jesus, fulfilling prophecy (Isaiah 7:14 in Matthew 1:23). It also relates to eschatology in parables about readiness for God's kingdom (Matthew 25) and to ethics in discussions of purity and celibacy (1 Corinthians 7). Understanding παρθένος enriches reading by highlighting themes of divine intervention, holiness, and faithful expectation.
In first-century Greco-Roman and Jewish cultures, παρθένος denoted a young, unmarried woman expected to be sexually chaste, with high social value for marriage. Unlike modern broad uses, it specifically implied physical virginity, often tied to family honor. This cultural backdrop clarifies passages like 1 Corinthians 7, where Paul addresses societal norms around marriage and celibacy.
νεᾶνις (neanis, G3495) — a young woman, without emphasis on virginity; κόρη (korē, G2877) — a girl or daughter, often younger; ἁγνός (hagnos, G53) — pure or chaste, focusing on moral state rather than marital status.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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