This whole thing mystifies me. Which would be more biblical, a young jewish wife that stays a virgin for her entire life or a young jewish wife that provides beautiful babies for her and her husband to share and raise.
Unless somebody can show me that sex in marriage is sin, I won’t understand why Mary would need to remain a virgin after giving birth to Jesus.
It’s a very different culture. Back then you waited until marriage, even if you were betrothed, or promised to be married.
Secondly, she got pregnant, while she was betrothed to Joseph. Who didn’t sleep with her. Imagine how that one went over with him. Then she claims that Christ was conceived by YHWH himself. Which is confirmed. By God.
I can totally understand him believing she was now consecrated.