Marriage

Marriage

Marriage is an important institution in the Bible, and several key passages address it. Marriage, as a sacred covenant, reflects the unbreakable bond between God and His people, emphasizing the importance of lifelong commitment and faithfulness. It serves as a means for procreation, companionship, and sanctification, enabling couples to participate in God's creative work, support each other emotionally and spiritually, and grow together in Christ-like virtues.

In ancient Israel, marriages were usually arranged by parents, who prioritized compatibility and the ability to establish a strong family unit. One example of this is found in the story of Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24).

Betrothal, a legally binding agreement, preceded the actual marriage. The couple was considered legally bound to each other but did not live together or consummate the relationship during the betrothal period (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). If either party wanted to break the betrothal, a formal divorce was required.

As part of the betrothal and marriage process, the groom's family paid a bridal price (mohar) to the bride's family, symbolizing the value of the bride and her family's loss (Genesis 29:18-20).

A written marriage contract (ketubah) outlined the rights and responsibilities of both parties. The contract specified the bridal price, the financial support the husband would provide to his wife, and any provisions for the wife in case of divorce or the husband's death.

The wedding celebration included a festive feast and various ceremonies (Genesis 29:22, Judges 14:10).  These celebrations often lasted several days and were attended by friends and family. The marriage was considered complete after the couple consummated their union, often in a specially prepared room (Genesis 29:23). The consummation solidified the marital bond and signified the beginning of their life together as husband and wife.

Man and woman are one flesh (Genesis 2:24)

The content of this passage describes the establishment of the institution of marriage and the creation of a new family unit. It sets forth the foundational principle that when a man and a woman enter into the covenant of marriage, they are to leave their parents and become united, both physically...

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Decalogue (Exodus 20:1-17)

Ten Commandments belong among the most known texts of the Bible. However, it is not so much known that this text, in fact, can not be literary called as commandments. This is suggested both by the context, which speaks of Decalogue as "words" (Ex 20:1) or as "ten words" (Ex 34:28), and the...

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Accusation of a woman (Deuteronomy 22:13-21)

The content of this passage deals with the situation in which a husband accuses his wife of not being a virgin at the time of marriage. The passage prescribes a specific procedure to be followed by the parents of the accused woman, the husband, and the community elders. If the accusation is proven...

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Adultery and Betrothal Transgressions (Deuteronomy 22:22-29)

The text presents a series of laws concerning sexual misconduct, focusing on adultery and transgressions related to betrothal. These verses emphasize the importance of maintaining moral and ethical standards within the community, especially regarding sexual relationships and marriage. The...

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Dissatisfaction with a woman (Deuteronomy 24:1-4)

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 outlines the regulations regarding divorce and remarriage in ancient Israel, with a particular focus on protecting the rights and dignity of women. The passage begins by explaining that if a man finds something indecent about his wife, he may write her a certificate of...

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Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-10)

In this passage, the practice of levirate marriage is described. This custom instructs that if a man dies without having any children, his brother is expected to marry his widow in order to provide an heir for the deceased brother. The passage displays that if a man dies without children, his...

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Teaching about Divorce (Matthew 19:1-12)

Matthew 19:1-12 recounts Jesus' teachings on marriage and divorce, emphasizing the sacredness of marital bonds and the importance of upholding the original intent of God's design for marriage. The passage begins with the Pharisees testing Jesus by asking whether it is lawful for a man to divorce...

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Wives and Husbands (Ephesians 5:21-33)

The text contains crucial teachings on marriage, emphasizing the love and mutual submission that should characterize the relationship between a husband and wife while drawing a parallel to the relationship between Christ and the Church. The passage begins by calling believers to submit to one...

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Reverence of the marriage (Hebrews 13:4)

This is a brief yet powerful verse that addresses the sanctity of marriage and the importance of sexual purity within the Christian community. The theological message of Hebrews 13:4 underscores the value of marriage as a sacred institution and the need for believers to honor it by maintaining...

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