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Marriage in The Old Testament

DED

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231 views5 pages

Marriage in The Old Testament

DED

Uploaded by

rbsmallorca
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Marriage in the

Old Testament
Marriage in the Old Testament

marriage is rooted in the Creation by Yahweh, the union of


man and woman was protected by the laws that governed
the early Israelite society and is intertwined with its history.
Marriage and family, in ancient Jewish practice, have been
one of the defining institutions of Judaism for almost a
thousand years
The stages of the Jewish marriage in the Old Testament
consisted of:

[1] a contract or betrothal stage, in which the terms of


responsibility and payment were determined; the stage
consists of the wedding dowry or engagement gift which
was usually offered by the bride‘s father

[2] the consummation stage also known as the chuppah


stage, wherein the bride and groom would consummate
their union in the chuppah, or bridal chamber; and lastly,

[3] the seven blessings and the marriage supper, which


includes seven days of feasting as a celebration of the
marriage while the seven blessings were recited over the
couple

Since the Israelites give high regard to kinship, the


choosing of a wife by either the parents or the groom
himself usually is influenced by relationships with family
and the welfare of the tribe..

In choosing an ideal woman, the book of Proverbs


presents an image of an ideal woman..

With regard to the authority between the husband and wife


relationship, many would think that since the Israelite
society followed a patriarchal framework, it would follow
that the husband is the master or owner of the family and
of his wife‘s person as well. This belief, framed under the
title of the husband: ―ba‟al” focuses more on the
procreative responsibilities of the wife in the marriage.

Once the wife becomes a mother, the role of motherhood


becomes a patent of nobility for the woman where she
acquires a place in the family as well as a share in the
authority of the husband over the children. And even
though the authority of the father supersedes those of the
mother as regards the welfare of the family, the father and
mother are still mentioned together and given the same
manner of respect by the children

Covenant: A Marriage between God and His people

Marriage in the Old Testament mirrors the marriage of


Israel with Yahweh. Throughout the scriptures

This marriage between Yahweh and Israel presents God


as the compassionate and patient husband who loves his
wife even in times of great conflict and aggravation. He
maintains His steadfastness in His covenant with His
people despite their many flaws and abuses

With the unfaithfulness of Israel in contrast to the steadfast


love of Yahweh, Jeremiah recognizes this adultery of
Israel and calls for a journey of penitence, reconciliation
and renewal of the broken bond between them and God.
This renewed relationship is exemplified in the introduction
of a new covenant made by Yahweh.

Jeremiah also employed God‘s falling in love with His


people for he was loyal in His love to His people. The
people went after other lovers and made sacrifices to
other gods. Jeremiah, nevertheless, felt that love was the
very foundation stone for the idea of Covenant. God alone
was Divine, Husband and Protector, and Israel was
exclusively his.

Thank You!

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