Pro's Choice.

One of the most important aspects of Hebrew (specifically and especially in the OT) is that it is a conceptual language. Words don’t simply translate into other words, but describe an entire concept. While it is not always apparent in any individual usage of the word, when we seek out each and every place it is used, we can understand exactly what concept the word contains by it’s context. In the case of alma, its word usage seems consistent with a young woman of birthing age. In all cases, this word will conceptually mean the same thing. Since the concept of a “young girl “ and a “virgin” are entirely different (Though obviously a virgin may be a young girl) and are not synonyms, if even one place in the OT the word Alma is used in such a way that it couldn’t possibly mean “virgin” then in no places could “Alma” mean virgin. Furthermore if the concept was intending to specifically mean “virgin” the word describing such is naturally available for use (the word B'thula). Before exploring these verses and determining if there is a case in which inserting the word “virgin” would be impossible. Let’s first take a look at each time the word “alma” appears and see how it is translated in various English bible translations. Keep in mind that each word describes a specific concept and should be understood universally throughout the Old Testament. If we chart exactly how any specific word is translated by various English/New Testament translations it should always be translated the same. Because “Alma” is only used 7 times in the entirely of the OT, charting this will be very simple. Let’s take a look at 6 incidences of its use: Genesis 24:23, Exodus 2:8, Psalm 68:25, Proverbs 30-19. Song of Solomon 1:3, and Song of Solomon 6:8 In each of these examples nearly every English translation translates the word Alma as young girl, maiden, young woman or similar. This includes the following versions: The NASB, NIV, NLT, KJV, CEV, NJKV, BCV, Darby, NWT. Among these translations there, seems to be a consensus that the word Alma indeed means some equivalent to “young woman”. Since these translations all seem to agree that “Alma” means a young girl, what exactly is the issue here? While the translations in every other usage is consistent with the concept of “Alma”, in the other usage of the word, in the passage Isaiah 7:14, the following translations all translate the word to mean “virgin”: NASB, NIV, NLT, KJV, CEV, NJK, NCV, Darby, NAB. Since the translation in this passage has a very specific intent it’s understandable that it would translate it as such. However, if any of the previous passages referred to “Alma” as a concept that couldn’t possibly be a virgin, then it is a clear mistranslation. So let’s take a look at a few of these translations to see if the word can always mean virgin (and pertain to this concept) or couldn’t possibly mean virgin. Exodus 2:8 (AKJV translation) “And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother. (English standard) “And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, go. So the girl went and called the child’s mother. (Word English) “Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, go. The maiden went and called the child’s mother. We can see from these three passage translations that these translations translate the word as a young girl equivalent. In each of these cases it’s pretty clear that conceptually from the context that the subject is a young lady. Could the word “Alma” in these passages be translated instead though as Virgin. Yes, in fact the Young’s Literal translation indeed does. “and the daughter of the Pharaoh said to her, Go, and the virgin goeth, and calleth the mother of the lad” Since in the above passage, while it doesn’t seem to matter conceptually if the young lady in question is a virgin, it can still be translated as such, and thus doesn’t make my case that such a translation is impossible. So let’s move on to another passage. Psalm 68:25 (New International) “In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the maidens playing tambourines” While the translation of maidens makes sense here conceptually, interchanging it with virgin would still be possible. So let’s move on… Solomon 1:3 (New internationa;) “Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder all the young women love you. ” Like the above verse, while most translations translate it as “young women”, it could be replaced with virgin (and the English standard translation does) therefore this verse does not make the point. … Now the point here is that “Alma” must be able to be translated as virgin is all cases. If even in one, it is clear that the concept of “Alma” can not possibly mean “Virgin” then in all cases, it means something closer to “young woman” and couldn’t possibly mean virgin. So let’s now take a look at that passage. Proverbs 30:19 The way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a young woman. So what is this passage talking about? It is referring to things that leave no trace. A snake on a rock, a ship on the sea, and an eagle in the sky pass by and one has no idea that they were there. But what about the final example? In this case, “Alma”, has to be translated as “young woman” (and one specifically that isn’t a virgin) and nearly all (except one I’m aware of) in fact translate it as “Young woman” (or an equivalent). If we were to translate “Alma” here as a virgin, then the passage would make no sense whatsoever. Therefore “Alma” in this case CAN NOT mean virgin, and therefore in no cases can “Alma” mean virgin. … When the Old Testament was translated for people who generally couldn’t actually read it, the Greek word used for “Alma” in Isiaah 7:14 was parthenos. This word would closely translate to “virgin” but we can now see that this is a clear mistranslation. The word “Alma” has to mean “young woman” and not “virgin” or it doesn’t make any sense across the entire OT and therefore couldn’t be translated as such. Given this, we can clearly see that “Alma” means a “young woman”, or equivalent (like maiden etc).