παρθένεια (partheneia)
partheneia
virginity
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun parthenia refers to the state of virginity, specifically in the context of a woman’s physical condition. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 2:36, where it describes Anna the prophetess.
Luke uses this term to highlight that Anna was a widow who had lived her married life as a virgin with her husband for seven years before being widowed. This detail underscores her lifelong dedication and purity, setting her apart as a woman of significant spiritual authority and witness within the temple narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word parthenia appears only once in the New Testament, found in Luke’s account of Anna the prophetess. It describes a state of physical virginity, specifically noting that Anna had lived with her husband for seven years from the time she was a virgin before becoming a widow. This rare term highlights a specific aspect of her life history, marking her as someone who had known both the joys of marriage and the path of lifelong devotion.
For your faith, this detail invites us to see how God values every season of life. Anna’s story shows that spiritual authority is not limited by age or marital status. Whether you are young or old, married or single, your witness matters deeply in the community of believers. Her dedication reminds us that a life spent in faithful service is always seen and honored by God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- marriage1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παρθενίας1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 2:36
There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
This verse uniquely uses parthenia to specify the duration of Anna's marriage, emphasizing her long history of faithfulness from youth into widowhood.