Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Moshe Shulman <mshulman AT ix.netcom.com>]

At 02:45 AM 1/29/01 -0500, Dan Wagner wrote:
> I freely confess that the issue of "virgin" [_BETHULAH_ and/or _(ALMAH_] is
> a difficult one for any of us. There are, at least, potential problems no
> matter what you do with either word. In the case of _(ALMAH_ we beg for more
> data, but don't have it. In the case of _BETHULAH_, we have plenty of data
> but struggle desperately for consistency, and seemingly can't find that
> either.

I don't think the issue is difficult.

> Here is my take on the issue:
> _BETHULAH_ is as Dr. Athos said, a social term indicating a single or
> marriageable person. It is a *social* term. _(ALMAH_, on the other hand, is
> a *technical* term which more closely approximates our "virgin" in regards
> to sexual inexperience. I think finding association with _(LM_ as
> "covered/hidden" works well with this. That is why it is used in Prov. 30 of
> the marvel of the way of a man who is able to woo a (fearful?) _(ALMAH_ into
> marriage union (although there is a significant textual question here if it
> should be "the way of a man in [his] youth"; see most of the versions and i
> think some Heb. mss. also), thereby taking "mastery" over her just as a
> snake can master going straight up a rock, a bird through the sky in
> fight--something elusive for the rest of creation, and like a ship which is
> able to sail gracefully across the ocean. (I cite this Proverb since it is
> the passage most commonly used to attempt to discount the idea of "virgin"
> for _(ALMAH_).

Please tell me what the followign two words in Hebrew mean:

1. betulim
2. elem


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
moshe shulman mshulman AT NOSPAMix.netcom.com    718-436-7705
CHASSIDUS.NET - Yoshav Rosh       http://www.chassidus.net
Chassidus shiur:                  chassidus-subscribe AT chassidus.net
Chassidus discussion list:        chassidus-subscribe AT egroups.com
Outreach Judaism                  http://www.outreachjudaism.org/
ICQ# 52009254    Yahoo/MSN Messaging: mosheshulman