Virgin

Generally a young person, especially a female, who has not had sexual intercourse. Virginity is an important quality in a bride, and its surrender or violation prior to marriage is sternly condemned. In the miracle of the incarnation, Mary was still a virgin when Jesus Christ was conceived. Virginity is also used metaphorically to denote purity and innocence.

Virginity is important in a bride

Virgins were sought as brides

Genesis 24:14–16; Song of Solomon 4:12 See also Genesis 24:42–45 The word translated “maiden” might also refer to a virgin; Leviticus 21:13–14; Deuteronomy 22:13–19; Esther 2:2, Esther 2:17; Isaiah 62:5; Ezekiel 44:22

Now may it happen that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well’— let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. By this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.” Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.

My sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed.

The church presented as a virgin bride

2 Corinthians 11:2 See also Ephesians 5:25–27; Revelation 19:7–8

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

The loss of virginity before marriage

Of a virgin not pledged in marriage

Exodus 22:16–17 See also Deuteronomy 22:28–29; 2 Samuel 13:12–16

If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin.

Of a virgin pledged in marriage

Deuteronomy 22:20–21 See also Deuteronomy 22:23–24 Betrothal was as serious a commitment as marriage itself; consorting with another person during this period was tantamount to adultery; Deuteronomy 22:25–27; Matthew 1:18–19

If, however, this accusation is true, and no proof of the young woman’s virginity can be found, she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you.

Some fathers surrendered their daughters' virginity

Genesis 19:8 See also Judges 19:24

Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them to you, and you can do to them as you please. But do not do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”

Particular roles involving virgins

Maidens in victory processions

Psalm 68:25; Jeremiah 31:4 See also Exodus 15:20–21; Judges 11:34; 1 Samuel 18:6

The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines.

Again I will build you, and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out in joyful dancing.

Virgins as bridesmaids

Psalm 45:14 See also Matthew 25:1

In colorful garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions are brought before you.

A virgin looked after King David

1 Kings 1:1–4

Virginity as a sign of purity and innocence

Virgins were spared after military victories

Numbers 31:17–18 See also Judges 21:11–12

So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man, but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man.

Israel's virgin purity lost

Jeremiah 18:13 See also Jeremiah 31:21–23; Ezekiel 23:3–8

Therefore this is what the LORD says: “Inquire among the nations: Who has ever heard things like these? Virgin Israel has done a most terrible thing.

Virginity as a metaphor for (apparent) inviolability

2 Kings 19:21 parallel Isaiah 37:22; Isaiah 47:1

Lost opportunities of virgin youthfulness

“Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again. She lies abandoned on her land, with no one to raise her up.”

Paul's advice about virgins

A virgin is freer to serve God

1 Corinthians 7:32–35 The unmarried have fewer responsibilities and worldly cares and so may offer undivided devotion to God. See also 1 Corinthians 7:25–28

I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord. But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife, and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but in order to promote proper decorum and undivided devotion to the Lord.

Remaining unmarried is a preferred option

1 Corinthians 7:8, 1 Corinthians 7:37–38

Marriage is the proper outlet for sexual passion

1 Corinthians 7:9 Though Paul urges abstinence, sexual passion is not wrong; however, sexual relationships must be confined to marriage; 1 Corinthians 7:36

Mary's virginity at Jesus Christ's conception

Matthew 1:20–25 See also Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:27, Luke 1:34–35

But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” ( which means, “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and embraced Mary as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.

Parable of the ten virgins

Matthew 25:1–13