Lexical Summary bethulim: Virginity Original Word: בְּתוּלִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance maid, virginity Masculine plural of the same as bthuwlah; (collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it -- X maid, virginity. see HEBREW bthuwlah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as bethulah Definition virginity NASB Translation evidence of my virginity (1), virgin (5), virginity (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs בְּתוּלִים noun feminine virginity, plural absolute intensive Deuteronomy 22:14,17,20; construct בְּתוּלֵי Deuteronomy 22:15,17, all concrete, tokens of virginity; abstract, suffix בְּתוּלַי Judges 11:37; בְּתוּלֶיהָ Leviticus 21:13; Judges 11:38; Ezekiel 23:8; בְּתוּלֵיהֶן Ezekiel 23:3. Topical Lexicon Subject OverviewBethulim denotes virginity or maidenhood, the state of sexual purity before marriage, and, by extension, the tangible “tokens of virginity.” Across ten Old Testament occurrences, the word frames issues of covenant holiness, legal justice, personal devotion, and prophetic symbolism. Occurrences and Contexts 1. Leviticus 21:13 – A High Priest must marry “a virgin of his own people,” safeguarding the holiness of the one who mediates for Israel. Theological and Ethical Insights • Covenant Purity – Bethulim symbolizes an exclusive bond. As virginity belongs to the bridegroom, so covenant faithfulness belongs to the LORD. Socio-Historical Background Ancient Near Eastern marriage customs included bride price, dowry, and proof of virginity. Israel’s law adapts these norms with unique ethical safeguards. The priest’s mandated marriage within Israel prevents alliances that could dilute covenant identity, while the bridal cloth in Deuteronomy formalizes protection for the woman’s honor. Typological and Christological Considerations • The Pure Bride – Bethulim anticipates the Church, kept for Christ “as a pure virgin” (2 Corinthians 11:2) and presented “without stain or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27). Contemporary Ministry Application • Sexual Integrity – Uphold chastity and honor marriage, recognizing the body as a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Conclusion Bethulim weaves a rich biblical tapestry, portraying virginity as a sign of covenant fidelity, a safeguard of justice, and a prophetic lens on Israel’s relationship with God. Its ultimate fulfillment is found in the spotless Bride redeemed and presented to the heavenly Bridegroom. Forms and Transliterations בְּתוּלִ֔ים בְּתוּלִֽים׃ בְּתוּלֵ֣י בְּתוּלֵ֧י בְּתוּלֵיהֶֽן׃ בְּתוּלֶ֖יהָ בְּתוּלַ֔י בְתוּלִ֖ים בְתוּלֶ֑יהָ בִבְתוּלֶ֖יהָ בבתוליה בתולי בתוליה בתוליהן׃ בתולים בתולים׃ bə·ṯū·lay bə·ṯū·lê bə·ṯū·le·hā ḇə·ṯū·le·hā bə·ṯū·lê·hen bə·ṯū·lîm ḇə·ṯū·lîm betuLai bəṯūlay bəṯūlê bəṯūlehā ḇəṯūlehā bəṯūlêhen betuLei betuLeiha betuleiHen betuLim bəṯūlîm ḇəṯūlîm ḇiḇ·ṯū·le·hā ḇiḇṯūlehā vetuLeiha vetuLim vivtuLeihaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 21:13 HEB: וְה֕וּא אִשָּׁ֥ה בִבְתוּלֶ֖יהָ יִקָּֽח׃ NAS: He shall take a wife in her virginity. KJV: a wife in her virginity. INT: he A wife her virginity shall take Deuteronomy 22:14 Deuteronomy 22:15 Deuteronomy 22:17 Deuteronomy 22:17 Deuteronomy 22:20 Judges 11:37 Judges 11:38 Ezekiel 23:3 Ezekiel 23:8 10 Occurrences |
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