◄ 5959. almah ►
Strong's Lexicon almah: Young woman, maiden Original Word: עַלְמָה Part of Speech: Noun Feminine Transliteration: `almah Pronunciation: al-MAH Phonetic Spelling: (al-maw') Definition: a lass Meaning: A young woman of marriageable age; a lass. The term implies youth and unmarried status, often with a focus on virginity, though not exclusively. Word Origin: Derived from the root עָלַם (alam), which means "to conceal" or "to hide." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The corresponding Greek term in the Septuagint for עַלְמָה is παρθένος (parthenos), Strong's Greek Number G3933. This Greek term is more explicitly associated with virginity and is used in the New Testament, notably in Matthew 1:23, which quotes Isaiah 7:14 in the context of the birth of Jesus, reinforcing the interpretation of the prophecy as referring to a virgin. Usage: The term עַלְמָה appears in the Hebrew Bible to describe a young woman, often in contexts that suggest purity and readiness for marriage. It is used sparingly, appearing in only a few key passages. Context: The Hebrew term עַלְמָה (almah) is used in the Old Testament to denote a young woman of marriageable age. The word is often associated with youth and potential for marriage, and in some contexts, it implies virginity, though this is not an explicit requirement of the term. The most notable occurrence of עַלְמָה is in Isaiah 7:14, where it is used in the prophecy, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." (BSB). This passage has been the subject of much theological discussion, particularly in Christian contexts, where it is seen as a prophecy of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Other occurrences of עַלְמָה include Genesis 24:43, where it describes Rebekah as a young woman at the well, and Exodus 2:8, referring to Miriam, the sister of Moses, as a young girl. In Proverbs 30:19, the term is used in a poetic context, illustrating the way of a man with a young woman. The term עַלְמָה is distinct from בְּתוּלָה (bethulah), another Hebrew word for a young woman, which more explicitly denotes virginity. The choice of עַלְמָה in certain texts has been interpreted as emphasizing the youth and potential for marriage rather than explicitly stating virginity. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin fem. of elem Definition a young woman, a virgin NASB Translation girl (1), maid (1), maiden (1), maidens (3), virgin (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עַלְמָה noun feminine young woman (ripe sexually; maid or newly married); — ׳ע Genesis 24:43 (J), Exodus 2:8 (E), Proverbs 30:19; Isaiah 7:14; plural עֲלָמוֺת Psalm 68:26; Songs 1:3; Songs 6:8; עַלעֲֿלָמוֺת to (the voice of) young women, either literally, or of soprano or falsetto of boys: 1 Chronicles 15:20; Psalm 9:1 (read עַלעֲֿלָמוֺת לַבֵּן [for עַלמֿוּת לַבֵּן], 'voce virginea a pueris decantandum,' Thes), Psalm 46:1; Psalm 48:15 (read עַלעֲֿלָמוֺת [for עַלמֿוּת]; translated probably to Psalm 49:1). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance damsel, maid, virgin Feminine of elem; a lass (as veiled or private) -- damsel, maid, virgin. see HEBREW elem Forms and Transliterations בְּעַלְמָֽה׃ בעלמה׃ הָֽעַלְמָ֔ה הָֽעַלְמָה֙ הָעַלְמָ֗ה העלמה וַעֲלָמ֖וֹת ועלמות עֲ֝לָמ֗וֹת עֲלָמ֥וֹת עלמות ‘ă·lā·mō·wṯ ‘ălāmōwṯ alaMot bə‘almāh bə·‘al·māh bealMah hā‘almāh hā·‘al·māh haalMah vaalaMot wa‘ălāmōwṯ wa·‘ă·lā·mō·wṯ Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Genesis 24:43 HEB: הַמָּ֑יִם וְהָיָ֤ה הָֽעַלְמָה֙ הַיֹּצֵ֣את לִשְׁאֹ֔ב NAS: by the spring, and may it be that the maiden who comes KJV: of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth INT: water become the maiden comes to draw Exodus 2:8 HEB: לֵ֑כִי וַתֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ הָֽעַלְמָ֔ה וַתִּקְרָ֖א אֶת־ NAS: to her, Go [ahead]. So the girl went KJV: to her, Go. And the maid went INT: to her Go went the girl and called mother Psalm 68:25 HEB: נֹגְנִ֑ים בְּת֥וֹךְ עֲ֝לָמ֗וֹת תּוֹפֵפֽוֹת׃ NAS: [them], In the midst of the maidens beating tambourines. KJV: among [them were] the damsels playing with timbrels. INT: the musicians the midst of the maidens beating Proverbs 30:19 HEB: וְדֶ֖רֶךְ גֶּ֣בֶר בְּעַלְמָֽה׃ NAS: And the way of a man with a maid. KJV: and the way of a man with a maid. INT: and the way of a man A maid Songs 1:3 HEB: עַל־ כֵּ֖ן עֲלָמ֥וֹת אֲהֵבֽוּךָ׃ NAS: oil; Therefore the maidens love you. KJV: poured forth, therefore do the virgins love INT: and after that the maidens love Songs 6:8 HEB: וּשְׁמֹנִ֖ים פִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים וַעֲלָמ֖וֹת אֵ֥ין מִסְפָּֽר׃ NAS: concubines, And maidens without KJV: concubines, and virgins without number. INT: and eighty concubines and maidens without number Isaiah 7:14 HEB: א֑וֹת הִנֵּ֣ה הָעַלְמָ֗ה הָרָה֙ וְיֹלֶ֣דֶת NAS: Behold, a virgin will be with child KJV: you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, INT: A sign Behold A virgin child and bear 7 Occurrences Strong's Hebrew 5959 7 Occurrences ‘ă·lā·mō·wṯ — 2 Occ. bə·‘al·māh — 1 Occ. hā·‘al·māh — 3 Occ. wa·‘ă·lā·mō·wṯ — 1 Occ.