☀️
← Back to Lexicon
H1330 · Hebrew · Old Testament
בְּתוּלָה
betulah
Noun, feminine
virgin, young woman

Definition

Betulah (H1330) is the standard Hebrew word for a virgin or unmarried young woman. It appears about 50 times in the OT and often carries the sense of purity and undefiled status. The lament over a destroyed city uses betulah as a metaphor for violated innocence.

Usage & Theological Significance

Betulah is theologically significant in several contexts: marriage law (Deuteronomy 22), prophetic lament ('the virgin of Israel' — Amos 5:2), and eschatological hope (Joel 1:8; Revelation). While Isaiah 7:14 uses almah (young woman) for the Immanuel sign, betulah carries the clearer meaning of sexual purity, and the LXX's parthenos draws on both concepts.

Key Bible Verses

Deuteronomy 22:19 They shall fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to the father of the young woman, because he has brought a bad name upon a virgin [betulah] of Israel.
Amos 5:2 Fallen, no more to rise, is the virgin Israel [betulah Israel]; forsaken on her land, with none to raise her up.
Joel 1:8 Lament like a virgin [betulah] wearing sackcloth for the bridegroom of her youth.
Genesis 24:16 The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a virgin [betulah], whom no man had known.
Lamentations 1:4 The roads to Zion mourn, for none come to the festival; all her gates are desolate; her priests groan; her virgins [betulot] have been afflicted.

Related Words

External Resources

🌙
☀️