παρθένος
parthenos
virgin
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word παρθένος (parthenos) is defined as a "virgin." It falls within the semantic domain of "Kinship & Family," indicating its relevance to relationships and social connections. This word appears 15 times in the Bible, suggesting its importance in various contexts. The meaning of παρθένος is straightforward, referring to a woman who has not engaged in sexual intercourse. Its range of usage spans different situations, including descriptions of individuals, such as the Virgin Mary, and references to the state of being unmarried or untouched. The significance of this word lies in its association with purity, innocence, and social status, which were highly valued in ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Given its frequency and varied usage, παρθένος likely played a significant role in the social and cultural fabric of the ancient world, influencing how people perceived and interacted with one another, particularly in matters of marriage, family, and social hierarchy.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
15 total occurrences across the text
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel;” which is, being interpreted, “God with us.”
Matthew 25:1“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Matthew 25:11Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’
Luke 1:27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary.
Luke 1:27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary.
Acts 21:9Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
1 Corinthians 7:25Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.
1 Corinthians 7:28But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you.
1 Corinthians 7:34There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:36But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry.
1 Corinthians 7:37But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no urgency, but has power over his own will, and has determined in his own heart to keep his own virgin, does well.
1 Corinthians 7:38So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn’t give her in marriage does better.
2 Corinthians 11:2For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Revelation 14:4These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.