English · KJV
H1331

בְּתוּלִים

bᵉthûwlîym /beth-oo-leem'/ Ask about this word
Rootmasculine plural of the same as בְּתוּלָה
Meaning(collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it
KJV usagevirginity.
Idioms & phrasesidiom maid

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of bᵉthûwlîym — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word bᵉthûwlîym, represented by H1331, refers to virginity. Appearing 10 times across 9 unique verses, this term functions both abstractly to describe a state of being and concretely to denote the physical "tokens" of that state. It is sometimes used idiomatically and translated simply as maid.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical law and narrative, H1331 is applied in several distinct contexts. Within the legal code of Deuteronomy, it is central to adjudicating a husband's accusation that his new wife was not a maid Deuteronomy 22:14. The "tokens of the damsel's virginity" could be presented as physical proof to the city elders (Deuteronomy 22:15, Deuteronomy 22:17). In a cultural context, Jephthah's daughter mourns her fate by going with her companions to "bewail my virginity" Judges 11:37. Prophetically, Ezekiel uses the term as a metaphor for Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness, describing how the nation's virginity was lost through whoredoms in Egypt during its youth (Ezekiel 23:3, Ezekiel 23:8).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and application of bᵉthûwlîym:

  • H1058 bâkâh (to weep): This verb is directly linked to the cultural value of virginity, as seen when Jephthah's daughter and her companions bewail her H1331 on the mountains Judges 11:37-38.
  • H5291 naʻărâh (damsel): This word for a young woman is used throughout the legal proceedings in Deuteronomy where the "tokens of virginity" H1331 of the damsel are at issue (Deuteronomy 22:15, Deuteronomy 22:20).
  • H2181 zânâh (to commit whoredoms): This term stands in stark contrast to virginity. Ezekiel frames Israel's idolatry as an act of committing whoredoms in her youth, which defiled her virginity Ezekiel 23:3.

Theological Significance

The conceptual significance of H1331 is evident in its legal, prophetic, and ceremonial applications.

  • Legal and Social Integrity: In Deuteronomy, the "tokens of virginity" serve as a form of legal evidence, directly affecting a woman's honor and standing. Their presentation before the elders H2205 could refute an evil name H8034 brought against a new wife Deuteronomy 22:14-17.
  • Metaphor for Spiritual Fidelity: Ezekiel uses the loss of virginity as a powerful metaphor for covenant-breaking. The nation's early idolatry is described as the bruising of "the teats of their virginity," symbolizing a betrayal of its pure, foundational relationship with God Ezekiel 23:3.
  • Requirement for Priestly Holiness: Levitical law commands that a priest must take H3947 a wife H802 "in her virginity" Leviticus 21:13. This links the concept to the high standard of purity required for those serving in a sacred office.

Summary

In summary, H1331 carries weight far beyond a simple physical description. It is a cornerstone in legal matters of marriage, a poignant symbol in personal tragedy, and a potent metaphor for the covenant relationship between God and His people. From a tangible piece of evidence in a city gate H8179 to a representation of national fidelity, bᵉthûwlîym demonstrates how scripture invests a physical state with profound legal, cultural, and theological meaning.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 10 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • בְּתוּלֵי
  • בְּתוּלִים

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H1058 בָּכָה a primitive root; to weep; generally to bemoan; [idiom] at all, bewail, complain, make lamentation, [idiom] more, mourn, H5291 נַעֲרָה feminine of נַעַר; a girl (from infancy to adolescence); damsel, maid(-en), young (woman). H2181 זָנָה a primitive root (highly-fed and therefore wanton); to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple H2205 זָקֵן from זָקֵן; old; aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator. H8034 שֵׁם a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appel H3947 לָקַח a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, in

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 9 verses across 4 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Deuteronomy (4 verses); never once in the other 35.

1
Leviticus
4
Deuteronomy
2
Judges
2
Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.