Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, the depiction of young women who are described as "gay" and "merry" often reflects a state of joy, vitality, and innocence. The terms "gay" and "merry" in historical biblical contexts are associated with happiness and lightheartedness, rather than the modern connotations of the word "gay."Biblical References: 1. Joy and Celebration: Young women in the Bible are often portrayed in scenes of joy and celebration. For instance, in the Song of Solomon, the imagery of young women is filled with vibrancy and delight. The Song of Solomon 1:4 states, "Draw me after you, let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you." This passage highlights the exuberance and joy associated with youthful love and celebration. 2. Innocence and Purity: The Bible often associates young women with innocence and purity. In the context of marriage and courtship, young women are depicted as pure and full of hope for the future. In Proverbs 31:10-12 , the virtuous woman is described as one whose worth is "far more than rubies," and her youthful vigor is implied in her dedication and industriousness. 3. Festive Occasions: Young women are frequently mentioned in the context of festive occasions, where their presence adds to the joy and merriment of the event. In Jeremiah 31:13 , it is written, "Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." This passage underscores the role of young women in communal celebrations and the restoration of joy. 4. Warnings Against Worldly Pleasures: While the Bible acknowledges the joy and merriment of youth, it also provides warnings against the potential pitfalls of indulging in worldly pleasures. Ecclesiastes 11:9 advises, "Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment." This serves as a reminder that youthful joy should be tempered with wisdom and an awareness of divine accountability. 5. Symbol of Hope and Renewal: Young women in the Bible can also symbolize hope and renewal. In the prophetic literature, the imagery of young women is sometimes used to depict the future restoration and blessing of God's people. Zechariah 8:5 envisions a time of peace and prosperity: "And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing there." In summary, the Bible presents young women as embodiments of joy, innocence, and hope, while also cautioning against the excesses of youthful indulgence. Their presence in biblical narratives often enhances the themes of celebration, purity, and divine promise. Torrey's Topical Textbook Judges 11:34And Jephthah came to Mizpeh to his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. Torrey's Topical Textbook Judges 21:21 Jeremiah 31:13 Zechariah 9:17 Library The Time of the Evening. "Something" The Barley Field on Fire The one Thing Needful Meanwhile Florian Varillo had not Gone to Naples. ... To the Rev. Andrew Brandram Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ... "Am Ia Sea, or a Whale?" From the Close of the General Conference of 1800, to the End of ... Striking Similes Resources What does the Bible say about being a godly woman? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be a woman of God? | GotQuestions.org What can we learn from the woman caught in adultery? | GotQuestions.org Woman: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Woman of Distinction: Fair and Graceful Woman of Distinction: Fond of Dress and Ornaments Woman of Distinction: Haughty in Their Deportment Woman of Distinction: Wore Their Hair Plaited and Adorned With Gold and Pearls Woman of the Poorer Classes Swarthy from Exposure to the Sun Woman were Required to Hear and Obey the Law Woman: (At Ease and Careless) of a State of Carnal Security Woman: (Chaste and Holy) of Saints Woman: (Delicate) of Backsliding Israel Woman: (Foolish) of Mere Professors Woman: (Forsaken) of Israel in Her Captivity Woman: (Gloriously Arrayed) of the Church of Christ Woman: (Lewd) of the Roman Apostasy Woman: Allowed to Join in the Temple-Music from the Time of David Woman: Considered a Valuable Booty in War Woman: Frequently: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Woman: Frequently: Fond of Self-Indulgence Woman: Frequently: Silly and Easily Led Into Error Woman: Frequently: Subtle and Deceitful Woman: Frequently: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Woman: Generally Lived in a Separated Apartment or Tent Woman: Generally Wore a Vail in the Presence of the Other Sex Woman: Good and Virtuous, Described Woman: had a Court of the Tabernacle Assigned to Them Woman: Loving and Affectionate Woman: Often Engaged in Agriculture Woman: Often Engaged in Attending Funerals As Mourners Woman: Often Engaged in Celebrating the Victories of the Nation Woman: Often Engaged in Domestic Employments Woman: Often Engaged in Drawing and Carrying Water Woman: Often Engaged in Embroidery Woman: Often Engaged in Grinding Corn Woman: Often Engaged in Spinning Woman: Often Engaged in Tending Sheep Woman: Often Treated With Great Cruelty in War Woman: Origin and Cause of the Name Woman: Originally Made by God in his own Image Woman: Originally Made for Man Woman: Originally Made: from One of Adam's Ribs Woman: Originally Made: Subordinate to Man Woman: Originally Made: To be an Helpmeet for Man Woman: Originally Made: To be the Glory of Man Woman: Punishment for Injuring, when With Child Woman: Safety in Childbirth Promised to the Faithful and Holy Woman: Salvation Promised Through the Seed of Woman: Submissive and Respectful to Husbands Woman: Tender and Constant to Her offspring Woman: To be Governed By, Considered a Calamity by the Jews Woman: To be Slain By, Considered a Great Disgrace Woman: To Wear Her Hair Long As a Covering Woman: Unfaithfulness of, when Married Found out by the Waters of Woman: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Woman: Vows of, when Married not Binding Upon the Husband Woman: Young of Distinction, Dressed in Robes of Various Colours Woman: Young: Could not Marry Without Consent of Parents Woman: Young: Fond of Ornaments Woman: Young: Inherited Parents' Property when There Was No Male Heir Woman: Young: Kind and Courteous to Strangers Woman: Young: Not to be Given in Marriage Considered a Calamity Woman: Young: Often Taken Captive Woman: Young: Often Treated With Great Cruelty in War Woman: Young: Punishment for Seducing when not Betrothed Woman: Young: Punishment for Seducing, when Betrothed Woman: Young: Required to Learn from and Imitate Their Elders Related Terms Woman-servant (12 Occurrences) |