3932. parthenia
Lexical Summary
parthenia: Virginity

Original Word: παρθενία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: parthenia
Pronunciation: par-then-ee'-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (par-then-ee'-ah)
KJV: virginity
NASB: marriage
Word Origin: [from G3933 (παρθένος - virgin)]

1. maidenhood

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
virginity.

From parthenos; maidenhood -- virginity.

see GREEK parthenos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from parthenos
Definition
virginity
NASB Translation
marriage (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3932: παρθένια

παρθένια, παρθενίας, (πυρθενος), virginity: Luke 2:36. (Jeremiah 3:4; Pindar, Aeschylus, Euripides, Diodorus, Plutarch, Herodian, others (cf. Field, Otium Norv. pars 3:at the passage).)

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scope

Strong’s 3932 designates the state of maidenhood—virginity—as opposed to marital life. While the cognate adjective (parthenos) describes a person, this noun focuses on the condition itself, a season of life ordinarily preceding marriage. Scripture treats the state not merely in biological terms but as a sphere of covenant purity and undivided devotion to God.

Biblical Usage

The noun appears once in the New Testament, Luke 2:36, where Anna is said to have lived with her husband “seven years after her virginity” (literal rendering of the Greek phrase). The single occurrence is sufficient to establish:

1. Virginity as a recognized life-stage in first-century Israel.
2. A clear chronological marker for personal history (“from her virginity” until marriage).
3. An implicit commendation: Luke highlights Anna’s early purity to underscore her lifelong faithfulness.

Cultural and Historical Background

In Jewish society virginity was both familial honor and covenant obligation (Deuteronomy 22:13–21). The marriage contract presupposed a bride’s maidenhood; its loss outside wedlock brought social and legal consequences. Greco-Roman culture shared a similar valuation, though often for pragmatic rather than theological reasons. Luke’s audience—Jews and God-fearing Gentiles—would immediately understand the gravity carried by the term.

The Example of Anna (Luke 2:36)

Luke presents Anna as a prophetess who “never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2:37). Her biography is structured around three phases:

• Virginity (parthenia)
• Seven years of marriage
• Long widowhood devoted to prayer and proclamation

By anchoring her account in her maidenhood, the evangelist links early purity to later prophetic ministry. Anna’s steadfastness from parthenia to old age exemplifies continuity of holiness. When she speaks over the infant Messiah (Luke 2:38), her moral credibility, established in virginity, amplifies her witness.

Virginity and Covenant Purity

Throughout Scripture, chastity symbolizes exclusive loyalty to the Lord. Israel is warned against spiritual adultery (Jeremiah 3:1–9); the Church is presented “as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2). Physical virginity thus carries typological weight, pointing to wholehearted fidelity:

Numbers 30:3–5 shows vows sworn “in her youth, while still in her father’s house.” The father’s oversight presumes her maidenhood.
1 Corinthians 7:34 contrasts the married woman’s divided interests with the virgin’s singular concern “to be holy both in body and spirit.”
Revelation 14:4 depicts redeemed saints “who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins,” portraying moral and spiritual integrity.

Implications for Christian Discipleship

1. Purity as Worship: Parthenia is not merely negative abstention; it is positive consecration (Romans 12:1).
2. Preparation for Calling: Anna’s early faithfulness prepared her for temple ministry. Likewise, seasons of singleness can be strategic for spiritual formation.
3. Communal Responsibility: Families and congregations are charged to honor and protect virginity (1 Thessalonians 4:3–8).

Related Themes across Scripture

• Nazarite Separation (Numbers 6) — voluntary abstention parallels the discipline of virginity.
• Betrothal Imagery — Hosea 2:19–20 and Ephesians 5:25–27 unify purity, covenant love, and eschatological hope.
• Wise and Foolish Virgins — Matthew 25:1–13 employs the virgin motif to exhort readiness for the Bridegroom’s return.

Ministry Applications

• Teaching: Ground sexual ethics in redemptive history, not cultural preference.
• Pastoral Care: Encourage those in maidenhood or celibacy, highlighting Anna’s fruitful service.
• Intercession: Follow Anna’s pattern—virginity or widowhood can blossom into a life of prayer that blesses the covenant community.

Summary

Strong’s 3932 underscores virginity as a divinely esteemed state marking both personal history and spiritual potential. Luke assigns it narrative prominence in Anna’s life, thereby affirming that early purity can mature into prophetic impact. Whether maidenhood ends in marriage or lifelong singleness, Scripture treats it as a sphere for wholehearted devotion, prophetic witness, and anticipation of the ultimate marriage between Christ and His Church.

Forms and Transliterations
παρθενιας παρθενίας παρθενικά παρθενικόν parthenias parthenías
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Luke 2:36 N-GFS
GRK: ἀπὸ τῆς παρθενίας αὐτῆς
NAS: years after her marriage,
KJV: from her virginity;
INT: from the marriage of herself

Strong's Greek 3932
1 Occurrence


παρθενίας — 1 Occ.

3931
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