feminine of עֶלֶם; a lass (as veiled or private); damsel, maid, virgin.
Transliteration:ʻalmâh
Pronunciation:al-maw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word ʻalmâh (`{{H5959}}`) is the feminine form of ʻelem (`{{H5958}}`), which signifies a "young man." Its core meaning therefore refers to a "young woman," "lass," or "damsel." The base definition provided, "as veiled or private," suggests a stage of life where a young woman is typically unmarried, under the protection of her family, and often of marriageable age. While ʻalmâh does not inherently or exclusively denote "virgin," it often refers to a woman who *is* a virgin due to her age and social status prior to marriage in ancient Israelite society. The emphasis is on her youth and unmarried state, rather than a specific statement about her sexual experience.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ʻalmâh appears in several biblical contexts:
* **[[Genesis 24:43]]**: Rebekah is described as an ʻalmâh when Abraham's servant encounters her at the well. Crucially, [[Genesis 24:16]] explicitly states that Rebekah was a bᵉthulah (`{{H1330}}`), meaning "virgin," and "no man had known her." This passage illustrates that while an ʻalmâh could be a virgin, the term itself does not *define* virginity, but rather refers to her age and unmarried status.
* **[[Exodus 2:8]]**: Miriam, Moses's sister, is called an ʻalmâh when she proposes to Pharaoh's daughter that she find a Hebrew woman to nurse the infant Moses. Here, ʻalmâh clearly refers to a young girl capable of independent thought and action.
* **[[Psalm 68:25]]**: ʻalmâh are mentioned among the singers and musicians in a processional, indicating young women participating in worship.
* **[[Proverbs 30:19]]**: "The way of a man with an ʻalmâh" is listed among things too wonderful for the writer to comprehend. This context implies a romantic or courtship relationship, again pointing to an unmarried young woman.
* **[[Song of Solomon 1:3]]** and **[[Song of Solomon 6:8]]**: The term is used collectively to refer to "maidens" or "young women," often in a romantic or idealized sense.
* **[[Isaiah 7:14]]**: This is the most significant and debated occurrence: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold, the ʻalmâh shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." In this prophetic context, the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) renders ʻalmâh as parthenos, meaning "virgin," which is then quoted in [[Matthew 1:23]] in relation to the birth of Jesus. While ʻalmâh does not *always* mean virgin, the extraordinary nature of the sign promised in Isaiah 7:14, particularly in light of its fulfillment in the miraculous birth of Jesus, strongly implies a unique, virginal conception. The theological weight of the New Testament's interpretation elevates this specific instance beyond the common usage of the word.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ʻelem (`{{H5958}}`):** The masculine counterpart to ʻalmâh, meaning "young man." This highlights the age-related aspect of ʻalmâh.
* **bᵉthulah (`{{H1330}}`):** This Hebrew word specifically and unequivocally means "virgin." Its existence demonstrates that the Hebrew language has a precise term for virginity when that meaning is essential. The distinction is crucial: while a bᵉthulah is always an ʻalmâh (a young woman), an ʻalmâh is not necessarily a bᵉthulah by definition, although she often was in ancient Israelite societal practice before marriage.
* **naʻarah (`{{H5291}}`):** A more general term for "young woman" or "girl," often used interchangeably with ʻalmâh in some contexts, though naʻarah can potentially refer to a broader age range or social status.
* **Purity and Unmarried Status:** In ancient Israel, the social expectation for young, unmarried women was virginity and purity. Sexual relations before marriage were forbidden, making it culturally common for an ʻalmâh to also be a virgin.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻalmâh is most profoundly rooted in [[Isaiah 7:14]] and its New Testament fulfillment. The prophecy of Immanuel's birth, through the ʻalmâh, became a cornerstone of Christian theology. The Septuagint's translation of ʻalmâh as parthenos (virgin) and its direct quotation in [[Matthew 1:23]] as a prophecy of Jesus' birth firmly establish the doctrine of the virginal conception of Christ. This interpretation underscores:
* **Divine Intervention:** The sign of the ʻalmâh conceiving is extraordinary, pointing to God's miraculous intervention in human history. It signifies a birth that transcends natural means, emphasizing the unique nature of the one born (Immanuel – "God with us").
* **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** The use of ʻalmâh in Isaiah, and its subsequent interpretation and fulfillment in Mary, highlights the precision and reliability of God's prophetic word, even when its full meaning is unveiled over centuries.
* **The Incarnation:** The virgin birth of Jesus, as prophesied through the ʻalmâh, is foundational to the doctrine of the Incarnation, affirming Jesus' unique identity as both fully God and fully human.
### Summary
The Hebrew word ʻalmâh (`{{H5959}}`) fundamentally refers to a "young woman" or "damsel," denoting her youth and unmarried status. While not inherently meaning "virgin" (a specific term bᵉthulah `{{H1330}}` exists for that), it frequently refers to young women who, by societal custom in ancient Israel, were virgins prior to marriage. The most significant theological weight of ʻalmâh rests upon its usage in [[Isaiah 7:14]], where it prophesies the birth of Immanuel. Interpreted through the Septuagint's parthenos and the New Testament's account of Jesus' birth, this specific instance of ʻalmâh points definitively to a miraculous, virginal conception. Thus, ʻalmâh encapsulates both the everyday reality of young womanhood in the biblical world and a profound prophetic truth concerning the unique and divine nature of the Messiah's birth.
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