The biblical authors were mortal people who were documenting the events of their time. How would anyone know who is or isn't a virgin and be certain enough to write about it?
2006-07-15 02:32:53 · 13 answers · asked by Schroder 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Hebrew word "alma" refers to a young woman. This was translated to mean "virgin" in reference to Mary, and a Christian cult was built around that intentionally misleading translation.
In the same way that in the English language the words “young woman” have no bearing on whether virginity is present or not, in the Hebrew language there is no relationship between the words "alma" and "virgin". On the contrary, it is usually a young woman who bears children. Had Isaiah wished to speak about a virgin birth, he would have used the word "betulah", not "alma". "Betulah" is a common word in the Jewish scriptures, and can only mean “virgin.”
2006-07-15 02:44:16 · answer #1 · answered by Sweetchild Danielle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The word maiden and virgin are the same in the biblical languages. An unmarried woman was assumed to be a virgin because otherwise she was a prostitute.
Its the opposite of western culture in which sex before marriage is assumed to be the norm.
Hey Sarah T, You are wrong about the mother of Jesus. Mary had a role in the church from its beginning. And the belief in the virgin birth is a testimony to the belief in the incarnation. If something as incredible as God becoming a person happened then wouldnt the event be surrounded by other unusual events?
2006-07-15 09:35:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They wouldn't have, they would have to take Josephs' and Marys' word that she was a virgin. Joseph knew that if she were not a virgin then she would not be an acceptable wife for him, and he loved her too much to worry about that. Back then people didn't lie as much as they do in this day and age so when they said she was a virgin, they were believed.
Technically I guess she was a virgin, if no "man" had touched her, and her lover was someone who was not human (God). Since I don't know how God reproduces, it could very well be that he does not have physical sex to impregnate someone. Maybe you could ask him that when you get there, if you are still curious then.
2006-07-15 09:48:42 · answer #3 · answered by arvecar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they spent a lot of time checking out the situation. :)
But seriously, the word "virgin" had an original meaning that had nothing to do with whether one has had sex or not. That was in the ancient world. It was not considered a virtue to go without sex, it was considered ridiculous. Of course, I'm speaking about adults here, but isn't it stupid to keep trying to be a virgin? It may be understandable for young adults who have not yet met a partner they would want to have sex with yet. But to wait until marriage for it? That is downright stupid if you ask me and asking for lots of problems.
Sex was once considered normal...in ancient times. But as the Christian religion began to take over, they started to change that and make it dirty..that's how the idea of virginity as being without sex started. I forget the original meaning but it really had not thing to do with sex.
And by the way, speaking of the bible..it is really a bunch of books that advocate lots of violence and hate...what kind of crap is that to follow any how?
2006-07-15 09:39:56 · answer #4 · answered by Greanwitch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The meaning of the word "virgin" in biblical times was different than today. Then it ment a young woman who was betroved to be married, ie. engaged. Since have intercourse outside of marrage was considered a sin, over the course of time the term "virgin" has taken on the conotation of one who has not had intercourse.
2006-07-15 09:41:04 · answer #5 · answered by kevinrmortensen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a very interesting question there! It never crossed my mind!!! Thanks for asking, and here's my answer. My mom told me that you can observe a woman or a girl by the way she walks to see if she's a virgin. The same goes with guys as well. I guess that's probably how they judged whether some one was a virgin or not.
2006-07-15 09:37:21 · answer #6 · answered by CRT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All that virgin Mary stuff was just legend passed down for about 150 years before anyone bothered to write about it.
2006-07-15 09:36:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The works of the authors in the bible are questionable. They work were edited before it was officially published for public.Even the emperor of Roman could make amendment with collaboration with religious authority...
2006-07-15 09:39:11 · answer #8 · answered by Ah Seow- The Mad Chimp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um, the family watched the couple make love the first time, then checked the bedding for blood.
2006-07-15 09:34:18 · answer #9 · answered by mrsdebra1966 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it was an idealistic story created to induce a following. If that meant embellishing on some aspects of the story (i.e. there WAS a Jesus, but did he come back to life?) they didn't care.
There are many questionble aspects of the Bible.
2006-07-15 09:37:57 · answer #10 · answered by hoop_t_star 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋