A young unmarried woman is the same as a virgin. Young unmarried women did not have sex outside of marriage in the Jewish tradition either. If she did she would not be known as a young unmarried woman, but something far worse. Secondly, 72 rabbis of the Septuagint thought it meant virgin. Furthermore, the septuagint has Jewish theology of the time embedded into it by virtue of it being a translation, so claims that it might have meant a young unmarried woman exclusive of virginity is absolutely rediculous.

I was busy so missed this for a couple of days.  Apologetics is a tough business.  Discussing how Jesus’s birth was tied to pagan holidays. Interesting.  I had never heard what the relationship of Joseph and Mary had them traveling together.  An interesting listen.  I think the explanation of the prophesy of Isiah fulfilled centuries later was odd.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

According the “Catholic Stuff you Should Know” podcast on the Septuigent, there is a legend that only 71 of the rabbis translated it as virgin.  The 72nd translated it as young maiden and refused to change it despite a visit from an Angel. The Angel said his punishment for his obstinency would be that he would live to see the prophesy fulfilled. Legend has it that the rabbi’s name was Simeon.

Yeah.  This assumes that the Hebrew text we have today is more “original” than the Septuagint.  Maybe, but that is NOT a given.  Both have been subject to some editing.  Also, has enough ancient Hebrew been preserved from other sources to be sure of the ancient meaning of “almah”?  If you’re depending on Medieval Jewish dictionaries and commentaries, of course those have an interest in denying the meaning “virgin” to this passage.