παρθενία
parthenía
G3932 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primarily, the condition or state of being a maiden; virginity or sexual innocence, especially as applied to a young woman who has not engaged in sexual relations. In broader contexts, denotes maidenhood, untouched state, or the quality of being uninitiated sexually.
Semantic Range
virginity, maidenhood, sexual innocence, state of being unmarried or untouched, purity (figurative or ritual, rare)
Root / Etymology
From παρθένος (parthenos, 'maiden, virgin'), with the abstract nominal suffix -ία, forming a noun that designates the quality or condition of being a maiden or virgin.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, παρθενία primarily denoted the condition of maidenhood or virginity, often associated with qualities of purity and social status for unmarried women. In the Septuagint, the term is used to render Hebrew terms relating to sexual innocence or marital status, and can be applied both literally (as in describing individual young women) and figuratively. In Koine Greek, as reflected in the New Testament (only in 1 Corinthians 7:25, 7:36-38), the focus is on the state of not being married and by implication not having had sexual intercourse, often in the context of social or ethical deliberation around marriage. The word is abstract, referring to a condition or quality rather than to persons themselves (cf. παρθένος). Later Christian writings sometimes extended the term towards spiritual or ritual purity, but such connotations are not prominent in pre-Christian or New Testament uses. Modern English translations typically render παρθενία as 'virginity,' but this may not always capture the socio-cultural weight placed on the concept of maidenhood in the ancient Mediterranean context. Unlike παρθένος ('maiden, virgin'), παρθενία always refers to the abstract state rather than the person.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from παρθένος; maidenhood:--virginity.
Root Family
παρθενία (parthenia) — maidenhood, virginity, sexual innocence, untouched state
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3932-01 |
παρθενίας | parthenias | N GEN F SG |
virginity | of virginity | virginity | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3932-01 |
Luke 2:36 | παρθενίας | parthenias | N GEN F SG |
virginity | of virginity | virginity |