Topical Encyclopedia
The term "damsel" is an archaic English word used in various translations of the Bible to refer to a young woman or girl. In the context of the Scriptures, it often denotes a female who is unmarried and of marriageable age. The word is used in several passages to describe young women in different circumstances, reflecting cultural and social norms of biblical times.
Old Testament References:1.
Genesis 24:14 · In the account of Isaac and Rebekah, Abraham's servant prays for guidance in finding a wife for Isaac. He asks for a sign involving a "damsel" who will offer him and his camels water. The term here highlights Rebekah's youth and suitability for marriage: "Now may it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who replies, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac."
2.
Judges 19:24 · In the troubling narrative of the Levite and his concubine, the term is used to describe the young women involved in the account. The cultural context of the time is evident in the treatment and status of women: "Look, here is my virgin daughter and the man’s concubine. Let me bring them out now, and you can use them and do to them whatever you wish. But do not commit such an outrageous act against this man."
New Testament References:1.
Mark 5:41 · In the account of Jesus raising Jairus' daughter from the dead, the term "damsel" is used to describe the young girl. Jesus' compassion and authority over life and death are demonstrated in this miracle: "Taking her by the hand, He said to her, 'Talitha koum!' (which means, 'Little girl, I say to you, get up!')."
2.
Acts 12:13 · The term is used in the account of Peter's miraculous release from prison. Rhoda, a servant girl, is referred to as a "damsel" when she recognizes Peter's voice at the gate: "When he knocked at the outer gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it."
Cultural and Theological Insights:In biblical times, the status and roles of young women were largely defined by their family and societal structures. The use of the term "damsel" often implies innocence, vulnerability, and the transitional phase between childhood and adulthood. The narratives involving damsels frequently highlight themes of protection, provision, and the unfolding of God's plans through ordinary lives.
Theologically, the accounts involving damsels can be seen as illustrations of God's care and intervention in the lives of individuals, regardless of their social status. The interactions of Jesus with young women, such as Jairus' daughter, underscore His compassion and the breaking of cultural barriers, affirming the value and dignity of women in the Kingdom of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A young person, either male or female, of noble or gentle extraction; as, Damsel Pepin; Damsel Richard, Prince of Wales.
2. (n.) A young unmarried woman; a girl; a maiden.
3. (n.) An attachment to a millstone spindle for shaking the hopper.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DAMSELdam'-zel: A young, unmarried woman; a girl (lass); maiden (compare French demoiselle). The Revised Version (British and American) inMatthew 26:69John 18:17Acts 12:13;Acts 16:16 gives "maid" for paidiske, "a girl," i.e. (spec.) a maidservant or young female slave (the King James Version "damsel"), and "child" for paidion, "a half-grown boy or girl," inMark 5:39, 40 bis. 41.
Greek
3813. paidion -- a young child... of pais Definition a young child NASB Word Usage boy's (1), Child (10), child (21),
child's (2), children (17), children's (1). little, young child,
damsel.
...3814. paidiske -- a young girl, maidservant
... bondmaid,damsel, maiden. Feminine diminutive of pais; a girl, ie (specially), a
female slave or servant -- bondmaid(-woman),damsel, maid(-en). see GREEK pais....
2877. korasion -- girl
...damsel, girl. Neuter of a presumed derivative of kore (a maiden); a (little) girl --
damsel, maid. (korasion) -- 5 Occurrences. (korasio) -- 3 Occurrences....
Strong's Hebrew
7361. rachamah --damsel... rachamah. 7362 .
damsel. Transliteration: rachamah Phonetic Spelling:
(rakh-am-aw') Short Definition:
damsel.
...damsel Feminine of racham; a maiden --
damsel.
...3207. yaldah -- girl, maiden
... of yeled Definition girl, maiden NASB Word Usage girl (1), girls (1), young girl
(1).damsel, girl. Feminine of yeled; a lass --damsel, girl. see HEBREW yeled....
5291. naarah -- a girl, maiden
...damsel, maiden, young woman. Feminine of na'ar; a girl (from infancy to adolescence) --
damsel, maid(-en), young (woman). see HEBREW na'ar. 5290, 5291....
5959. almah -- a young woman, a virgin
...damsel, maid, virgin. Feminine of elem; a lass (as veiled or private) --damsel,
maid, virgin. see HEBREW elem. 5958, 5959. almah. 5960 . Strong's Numbers.
5288. naar -- a boy, lad, youth, retainer
... 38), young people (1), youth (14), youths (2). babe, boy, child,damsel,
lad, servant, young man. From na'ar; (concretely) a boy (as...
7356. racham -- compassion
... From racham; compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the
fetus); by implication, a maiden -- bowels, compassion,damsel, tender love...
Library
Lord of Life and Love
... "Why make ye this ado, and weep? Thedamsel is not dead, but sleepeth.". And they
laughed him to scorn.... And he took thedamsel by the hand, and said unto her:...
Talitha Cumi
... And when He was come in, He saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the
damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.40. And they laughed Him to scorn....
The Meats are no Burden to Us, Most Holy Father...
... suspicion, and now falls into wantonness through force of necessity, we have an
example for our guidance,"namely, the instance of thedamsel in Deuteronomy...
But it Was, as the Prophets Also Predicted, from a virgin that...
... by "a virgin," and others by "a young woman""occurs, as they say, in Deuteronomy,
as applied to a "virgin," in the following connection: "If adamsel that is...
How Isaac Took Rebeka to Wife.
... his journey; and producing his bracelets, and some other ornaments which it was
esteemed decent for virgins to wear, he gave them to thedamsel, by way of...
Concerning the Fortitude of Samson, and what Mischiefs He Brought...
... when there was a great festival, he fell in love with a maid of that country, and
he desired of his parents that they would procure him thedamsel for his wife...
The Introduction of the Gospel into Europe, and the Ministry of...
... "It came to pass," says Luke, "as we went to prayer, a certaindamsel possessed
with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by...
Concerning Jacob's Flight into Mesopotamia, by Reason of the Fear...
... about that family. While they were saying this thedamsel came, and the
other shepherds that came down along with her. Then they...
Is not He the Carpenter?
... Galilee; and when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased
Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto thedamsel: "Ask of...
At that Time Herod the Tetrarch Heard of the Fame of Jesus...
... that sat with him. And the king said to the [13]damsel, Ask of me what
thou wilt, and I will give it thee. [1282] And he sware...
Thesaurus
Damsel (43 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) A young person, either male or female, of noble or gentle extraction;
as,
Damsel Pepin;
Damsel Richard, Prince of Wales.
...DAMSEL.
...Damsel's (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceDamsel's (8 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 22:15 Then
shall the father of thedamsel, and her mother, take and...
Damsels (9 Occurrences)
... Adamsel, two damsels to every man; To Sisera a spoil of dyed garments, A spoil
of dyed garments embroidered, Of dyed garments embroidered on both sides, on...
Betrothed (19 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:23 If adamsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and
a man find her in the city, and lie with her; (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)....
Charger (17 Occurrences)
... charger. (KJV). Matthew 14:11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given
to thedamsel: and she brought it to her mother. (KJV)....
Lain (57 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:23 When there is adamsel, a virgin, betrothed to a man, and
a man hath found her in a city, and lain with her; (YLT)....
Finds (71 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:23 If there be adamsel that is a virgin betrothed unto a man,
and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; (See NAS)....
Virginity (12 Occurrences)
... and hence "a virgin." Bethulah seems to have been the technical term for "virgin,"
as appears from such a combination as na`arah bhethulah, "adamsel, a virgin...
Laugh (23 Occurrences)
... But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of thedamsel,
and them that were with him, and entereth in where thedamsel was lying....
Resources
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