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What is the difference between the Hebrew terms almah and betulah?
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
The precise meaning of both terms almah and betulah is one of continued scholastic debate.
Almah (אלמה): The closest English equivalent is the original meaning attributed to the term maiden in that marriageable age and virginal sexuality were assumed attained and intact. Almah may also be used for a young woman void of virginity.
Betulah (בתולה): The closest English equivalent is the term virgin in that virginal sexuality is intact, without regard to age. N.B.: betulah may also be used for a young woman void of virginity.
Note: In modern Hebrew, betulah (בתולה) is the only word for virgin, and the word almah (אלמה) is considered an archaic term for a young woman of any sexual status.
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoThere is no scholastic debate on this. These words are quite different. the reason that Christians debate them is the fact that both words were translated into Greek as "parthenos." Then when the Greek Bible was translated into Latin, the word "parthenos" was translated as "virginem," Because the translators translated a translation (like the game "telephone").
Had the translators of the first Latin Bible used the original Hebrew to make their translation, this error would never have happened.
- alma (אלמה) = young woman, married or single.
- betulah (בתולה) = a woman of any age who has not had sex
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Where in the bible does it state Mary betrothed to Joseph was a virgin?
ANSWERThe New Testament Book of Luke, chapter one, verse twenty-seven states Mary, betrothed to Joseph, was a virgin.N.B.: Almah is the Hebrew term that is correctly translated as virgin. Consult the difference between the term almah and betulah.Alternate AnswerNowhere. The word "Alma" in Luke was mistranslated as a "Virgin who have not known men." The real translation for "Alma" is that of a young woman, virgin or not. The specific Hebrew word for a Virgin who have not known men is "Betulah." See link below.
What is an almah?
An almah is a woman of childbearing age who has not yet had a child. The Jews typically understand this Hebrew word as being the feminine version of the Hebrew "elem" - which means young man. Therefore "almah" is a young woman. The Christians typically go with the Septuagint which translates "almah" as "parthenos" which was usually used for the virgins consecrated in a Temple. As a result, Christians read "almah" as referring to a virgin woman as opposed to merely a young woman.
What are 2 meanings for the word almah?
The Jews typically translate this word directly from the Hebrew as a feminine version of the Hebrew "elem" - which means young man. Therefore "almah" is a young woman. The Christians typically go with the Septuagint which uses the term "parthenos" which was usually used for the virgins consecrated in a Temple. As a result, Christians read "almah" as referring to a virgin woman as opposed to merely a young woman.
When was Almah - album - created?
Almah - album - was created on 2006-07-26.
What does Dr Towns believe is the best translation for the word almah in Isaiah 7 14?
almah means agirl of marriageable age
What do you call an Egyptian dancing girl?
a JumgaramayaAlma or Almah
How do you say handsome man in Hebrew?
"Bachur" (בחור). And if the young part is necessary - "Bachur Tzair" (בחור צעיר).
How old was Mary when she married Joseph?
The Hebrew word Almah refers to a young girl that reaches puberty but still under the care of her parents. Mary being an Almah may have been espoused to Joseph as early as when she was 12 years old. Her exact age when espoused to Joseph cannot be ascertained.
What is an alm?
An alme is another word for an almah, an Egyptian singer or dancing-girl used for entertainment.
What is an almeh?
An almeh is another word for an almah, an Egyptian singer or dancing-girl used for entertainment.
In what ways does the Protestant Old Testament differ from the Jewish books?
1) The order of the books is different. 2) In the Jewish Tanakh (Bible), 1&2 Samuel is one book, 1&2 Kings is one book, 1&2 Chronicles is one book, Ezra& Nehemiah is one book, and the twelve Minor Prophets (Hosea to Malachi) are one book. 3) The main difference is that the Jewish books are in the original language (Biblical Hebrew, with a few chapters of Daniel and Ezra in Aramaic). Translations are by definition unauthorized and insufficient, since they cannot begin to convey the emotions which are alluded to by the cantillation-notes of the Hebrew text, or its multi-layered meanings.
What does Emmanuel mean in the Bible?
Emmanuel is a Greek form of the Hebrew name Immanu'el, which means 'God with us.' The name first appears in a prophecy of Isaiah as the name of the son born of a virgin (Hebrew almah, "maiden"), and again in the book of Matthew, which cites this prophecy. In the King James and Revised Standard versions of the Bible, the name appears in its Hebrew form in Isaiah (translated from the Hebrew) and in its Greek form in Matthew (translated from the Greek). In the Douay version the name has been regularized and appears as Emmanuel in both places.
