נַעֲרָה (na.a.rah)
na.a.rah
maiden
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 56 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun na‘arah refers to a young woman, typically in the transitional phase between childhood and full adulthood. Derived from the root for "boy" or "youth," it carries the sense of someone who is still growing into their role within society. The term covers a range of statuses, from a free girl of marriageable age to a female servant or attendant, reflecting both her age and her social position.
Its usage in Scripture highlights this dual nature. In Genesis 24, Rebekah is called a na‘arah when she draws water for Abraham’s servant, emphasizing her youth and vitality before her marriage. Conversely, in Ruth 2, Naomi describes Ruth as "my maiden," linking the word to service and loyalty within a household. The legal texts in Deuteronomy also use it to define the age of responsibility regarding sexual conduct, marking the point where a girl is considered an adult woman under the law.
A key distinction lies in its relationship to the word betulah, which specifically denotes a virgin. While na‘arah often implies youth and potential marriageability, it does not strictly guarantee virginity; it focuses more on the stage of life than marital status. This flexibility allows the term to appear in diverse contexts, from the tender description of young women in Esther 2 to the legal protections afforded to servants in Proverbs 31.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word na‘arah describes a young woman in the transition between childhood and full adulthood. It captures a time of vitality and potential, often marking the period when a girl becomes eligible for marriage or takes on greater responsibilities within her community. This term appears frequently in narratives like Genesis 24, where Rebekah is identified as a na‘arah while drawing water, highlighting her youth and readiness for a new chapter in life.
Understanding this word helps us appreciate the specific social roles women held in biblical times. It distinguishes between mere childhood and the recognized stage of young womanhood, which carried both privileges and legal protections. In passages such as Deuteronomy 22, the law uses this term to define when a girl is considered an adult under community standards, ensuring that her status and rights are clearly acknowledged.
For your faith journey, this word reminds us that every stage of life has its own significance and purpose. Whether you are navigating the uncertainties of youth or reflecting on the transitions of growing into maturity, Scripture acknowledges these phases with care. It invites us to see how God values each person at their specific point in life, offering guidance and protection as they move toward their future.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 56 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ young woman23×
- a young woman5×
- the/ girl4×
- and/ the/ young woman4×
- young women3×
- female servants/ his2×
- young woman1×
- with/ [the] female servants of1×
- to/ female servants/ her1×
- the/ servant girls1×
- servant girls/ her1×
- of/ maids/ your1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נַעֲרָ֣ה5×
- הַֽ/נַּעֲרָ֔ה5×
- הַֽ/נַּעֲרָ֖ה4×
- הַֽ/נַּעֲרָה֙3×
- נַעֲרָ֤ה2×
- נְעָר֥וֹת2×
- הַֽ/נַּעֲרָ֜ה2×
- הַֽ/נַּעֲרָ֗ה2×
- הַֽ/נַּעֲרָ֔2×
- נַעֲרוֹתָ֑י/ו1×
- נַעֲרוֹתֶ֛י/הָ1×
- נַעֲרֹתָֽ/י\׃1×
Key Verses
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Genesis 24:14
Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”
This verse establishes the criteria for identifying Rebekah as the chosen bride by describing her actions as a young woman, linking the term na‘arah to divine providence and hospitality.
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Deuteronomy 22:21
then they shall bring out the young lady to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done folly in Israel, to play the prostitute in her father’s house. So you shall remove the evil from among you.
Here the legal weight of the term is shown, as the community’s judgment on a married young woman depends on her recognized status as a na‘arah within the covenant community.
-
Judges 19:5
On the fourth day, they got up early in the morning, and he rose up to depart. The young lady’s father said to his son-in-law, “Strengthen your heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward you shall go your way.”
The narrative uses this term to describe the father of the concubine, illustrating how the word applies to family dynamics and hospitality even in morally complex situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word na‘arah mean?
How is na‘arah different from betulah?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Does na‘arah always mean a virgin?
Every Occurrence (56 verses across 11 books)
Genesis 8 verses
Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says,…
Genesis 24:16The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin. No man had known her. She went down to the spring, filled her…
Genesis 24:28The young lady ran, and told her mother’s house about these words.
Genesis 24:55Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go.”
Genesis 24:57They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.”
Genesis 24:61Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah, and went his…
Genesis 34:3His soul joined to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young lady, and spoke kindly to the young lady.
Genesis 34:12Ask me a great amount for a dowry, and I will give whatever you ask of me, but give me the young lady as a wife.”