Marriage as a Covenant with God in Scripture
Marriage is presented in Scripture as a divinely instituted covenant relationship [1]. Its origins trace back to the creation account in Genesis, where it was established in Paradise before the fall of humanity [4, 5]. The foundational principles of marriage, as derived from Genesis 2:24, include the unity of man and wife, the expectation of indissolubility, and monogamy as the original design [5]. Jesus himself affirmed this original charter as the basis for all regulations concerning marriage (Matthew 19:4-5) [4].
The Hebrew word for covenant, berith, means "a cutting," referencing the ancient practice of dividing animals and the contracting parties passing between the parts to ratify an agreement (Genesis 15; Jeremiah 34:18-19) [2, 3]. In the New Testament, the corresponding Greek word is diatheke [2, 3]. While covenants can be between two human parties, the biblical usage frequently refers to agreements between God and humanity [3]. God made covenants with figures such as Noah (Genesis 6:18), Abraham (Genesis 15:7-18), Isaac (Genesis 17:19), Jacob (Genesis 28:13-14), and David (2 Samuel 23:5) [6].
The concept of marriage as a covenant with God is explicitly stated in Malachi 2:14, where God is called a "witness between thee and the wife of thy youth" and the wife is referred to as the "wife of thy covenant" [11]. This implies that marriage is not merely a human contract but an agreement made under God's watchful eye, making a sin against one's spouse a sin against God [11]. Proverbs 2:17 also refers to marriage as "the covenant of God" [11].
Beyond the direct statements, the Bible frequently uses marriage as a powerful metaphor for the covenant relationship between God and his people [9, 10]. For instance, Isaiah 54:1-8 and Ephesians 5:22-33 depict the relationship between God and Israel, or Christ and the Church, in marital terms [9, 10]. This symbolic usage underscores the depth, commitment, and sacredness inherent in the marital bond. Conversely, Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness is often symbolized as adultery (Hosea 1-3; Ezekiel 23:4) [9, 10]. This metaphorical framework highlights that God's covenants are established despite human character, not because of it (Romans 5:6-11) [9, 10].
The purpose of marriage, as divinely instituted, extends to the happiness of humanity (Genesis 2:18), increasing the human population (Genesis 1:28), raising godly offspring (Malachi 2:15), and preventing fornication (1 Corinthians 7:2) [1]. It is considered honorable for all (Hebrews 13:4) and should be entered "only in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:39) [1]. The expectation of the "seed of the woman" (Genesis 3:15) also served as an incentive for marriage in early ages [1]. The act of marriage is described through phrases like "joining together" (Matthew 19:6), "making affinity" (1 Kings 3:1), and "taking to wife" (Exodus 2:1) [1]. The New Testament also mentions being "pledged to be married" (Luke 2:5) and a woman marrying "while under a vow" (Numbers 30:6) [7, 8].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Marriage — Divinely instituted -- Ge 2:24. A covenant relationship -- Mal 2:4. Designed for The happiness of man. -- Ge 2:18. Increasing the human population. -- Ge 1:28; 9:1. Raising up godly seed. -- Mal 2:15. Preventing fornication. -- 1Co 7:2. The expectation of the promised seed of the woman an incentive to, in the early age -- Ge 3:15; 4:1. Lawful in all -- 1Co 7:2,28; 1Ti 5:14. Honourable for all -- Heb 13:4. Should be only in the Lord -- 1Co 7:39. Expressed by Joining together. -- Mt 19:6. Making affinity. -- 1Ki 3:1. Taking to wife. -- Ex 2:1. Giving daughte”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Covenant — A contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word berith is always thus translated. Berith is derived from a root which means "to cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant (Gen. 15; Jer. 34:18, 19). The corresponding word in the New Testament Greek is diatheke, which is, however, rendered "testament" generally in the Authorized Version. It ought to be rendered, just as the word berith o”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Covenant — The Heb. berith means primarily "a cutting," with reference to the custom of cutting or dividing animals in two and passing between the parts in ratifying a covenant. (Genesis 15; Jeremiah 34:18,19) In the New Testament the corresponding word is diathece (diatheke), which is frequently translated testament in the Authorized Version. In its biblical meaning two parties the word is used-- + Of a covenant between God and man; e.g. God covenanted with Noah, after the flood, that a like judgment should not be repeated. It is not precisely like a covenant between”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — Was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Gen. 2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed (Matt. 19:4, 5). It is evident that monogamy was the original law of marriage (Matt. 19:5; 1 Cor. 6:16). This law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Gen. 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Gen. 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosa”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — + Its origin and history .--The institution of marriage dates from the time of man's original creation. (Genesis 2:18-25) From (Genesis 2:24) we may evolve the following principles: (1) The unity of man and wife, as implied in her being formed out of man. (2) The indissolubleness of the marriage bond, except on; the strongest grounds, Comp. (Matthew 19:9) (3) Monogamy, as the original law of marriage (4) The social equality of man and wife. (5) The subordination of the wife to the husband. (1 Corinthians 11:8,9; 1 Timothy 2:13) (6) The respective duties of ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Covenant, The — Christ, the substance of -- Isa 42:6; 49:8. Christ, the Mediator of -- Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24. Christ, the Messenger of -- Mal 3:1. Made with Abraham. -- Ge 15:7-18; 17:2-14; Lu 1:72-75; Ac 3:25; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 17:19,21; 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:13,14; 1Ch 16:16,17. Israel. -- Ex 6:4; Ac 3:25. David. -- 2Sa 23:5; Ps 89:3,4. Renewed under the gospel -- Jer 31:31-33; Ro 11:27; Heb 8:8-10,13. Fulfilled in Christ -- Lu 1:68-79. Confirmed in Christ -- Ga 3:17. Ratified by the blood of Christ -- Heb 9:11-14,16-23. Is a covenant of peace -- Isa 54:9,10; ”
- Luke “to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant. -- Luke 2:5”
- Numbers “Numbers 30:6 (BSB) — If a woman marries while under a vow or rash promise by which she has bound herself,”
- Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
- Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
- Malachi (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Malachi 2:14: Wherefore?--Why does God reject our offerings? Lord . . . witness between thee and . . . wife--(so Gen 31:49-50). of thy youth--The Jews still marry very young, the husband often being but thirteen years of age, the wife younger (Pro 5:18; Isa 54:6). wife of thy covenant--not merely joined to thee by the marriage covenant generally, but by the covenant between God and Israel, the covenant-people, whereby a sin against a wife, a daughter of Israel, is a sin against God [MOORE]. Marriage also is called "the covenant of God" (Pro 2:17), and to it t”