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Scriptural Authority in Marriage Traditions and Practices

Marriage, as an institution, is presented in Scripture as divinely ordained, dating back to the creation of humanity [1, 2, 3]. Its foundational principles are drawn from Genesis 2:18-25, which describes the formation of Eve from Adam and their subsequent union [1]. This account establishes several key aspects of marriage: the unity of husband and wife, the expectation of indissolubility, and monogamy as the original design [1, 2].

The biblical narrative begins with God observing that it is "not good for the man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18), leading to the creation of a "helper fit for him" [1]. The subsequent declaration that "a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24) is considered the original charter for marriage, later affirmed by Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:4-5) [2]. This "one flesh" concept implies a profound unity between spouses [1].

Purposes and Characteristics of Marriage

Beyond unity, Scripture outlines several purposes for marriage. It is designed for the happiness and companionship of humanity (Genesis 2:18), for increasing the human population (Genesis 1:28; 9:1), and for raising "godly seed" (Malachi 2:15) [3, 14]. Marriage also serves as a means to prevent sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 7:2) [3]. The expectation of the "promised seed of the woman" (Genesis 3:15) provided an early incentive for marriage [3].

The Bible consistently presents marriage as a covenant relationship [3, 9]. The prophet Malachi refers to the "wife of your covenant" (Malachi 2:14), emphasizing the solemnity and binding nature of the marital bond. This covenant is understood to be made "in God's name" [9]. The imagery of marriage is also used metaphorically in Scripture to describe the covenant relationship between God and his people, with adultery symbolizing spiritual unfaithfulness (Isaiah 54:1-8; Ezekiel 23:4; Ephesians 5:22-33; Hosea 1–3) [10, 11].

Monogamy and Polygamy

While monogamy is presented as the original law of marriage (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; 1 Corinthians 6:16), the biblical record shows that this ideal was often violated [1, 2, 4]. Polygamy and concubinage became prevalent in the patriarchal age (Genesis 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30) [2]. The Mosaic Law regulated, but did not prohibit, polygamy, allowing a man to have multiple wives [4]. However, a wife was restricted to one husband [4]. Despite the historical practice of polygamy, the New Testament reinforces the monogamous ideal, with husbands instructed to have "but one wife" (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:6-8; 1 Corinthians 7:2-4) [5].

Roles and Responsibilities within Marriage

Scripture outlines distinct, though complementary, roles for husbands and wives. Husbands are described as having authority over their wives (Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23) [5]. Ephesians 5:24 states, "as the church is under Christ's authority, so let wives be under the rule of their husbands in all things" [8]. However, this authority is not to be abused [13].

Husbands are given specific duties toward their wives:

Wives also have specified duties:

The Bible also addresses situations where one spouse is an unbeliever, instructing the believing spouse not to leave them (1 Corinthians 7:11, 12, 14, 16) [5].

Divorce

The law of marriage, as established in Genesis 2:24 and affirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:6, stands against divorce [6]. However, the Mosaic Law permitted divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1), primarily "on account of hardness of heart" (Matthew 19:8) [6]. This permission was often exploited by Jews who sought divorce on slight grounds (Matthew 5:31; 19:3) [6].

Under Mosaic Law, a man could divorce his wife, but a wife generally could not divorce her husband [4]. There were specific cases where divorce was permitted, such as when a man falsely accused his wife (Deuteronomy 22:18-19) [6]. After divorce, a woman could remarry (Deuteronomy 24:2), but she could not return to her first husband if she had married another in the interim (Deuteronomy 24:3-4; Jeremiah 3:1) [6]. Priests were prohibited from marrying divorced women (Leviticus 21:14) [6].

The New Testament clarifies the grounds for divorce, with Jesus indicating that sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9) is a legitimate reason for divorce [1].

Vows and Authority

In ancient Israelite society, the authority structure within the family was significant, particularly concerning vows. Numbers 30:13 states that a husband could establish or void any vow made by his wife [7]. Similarly, a father had authority over the vows of his unmarried daughter, especially if she was not yet "at age" or "in her youth" and still in his house [12]. This reflects the patriarchal structure of the time, where women's vows were often subject to male oversight [12].

The biblical understanding of marriage, therefore, is rooted in its divine origin, emphasizing unity, permanence, and specific roles and responsibilities, while also acknowledging historical deviations and legal regulations concerning practices like polygamy and divorce.

Sources

  1. 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 ”
  2. 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”
  3. 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”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Wife — The ordinance of marriage was sanctioned in Paradise (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6). Monogamy was the original law under which man lived, but polygamy early commenced (Gen. 4:19), and continued to prevail all down through Jewish history. The law of Moses regulated but did not prohibit polygamy. A man might have a plurality of wives, but a wife could have only one husband. A wife's legal rights (Ex. 21:10) and her duties (Prov. 31:10-31; 1 Tim. 5:14) are specified. She could be divorced in special cases (Deut. 22:13-21), but could not divorce her husband. Divorce wa”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Husbands — Should have but one wife -- Ge 2:24; Mr 10:6-8; 1Co 7:2-4. Have authority over their wives -- Ge 3:16; 1Co 11:3; Eph 5:23. Duty of, to wives To respect them. -- 1Pe 3:7. To love them. -- Eph 5:25-33; Col 3:19. To regard them as themselves. -- Ge 2:23; Mt 19:5. To be faithful to them. -- Pr 5:19; Mal 2:14,15. To dwell with them for life. -- Ge 2:24; Mt 19:3-9. To comfort them. -- 1Sa 1:8. To consult with them. -- Ge 31:4-7. Not to leave them, though unbelieving. -- 1Co 7:11,12,14,16. Duties of, not to interfere with their duties to Christ -- Lu 14:26; Mt 19”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Divorce — Law of marriage against -- Ge 2:24; Mt 19:6. Permitted By the Mosaic law. -- De 24:1. On account of hardness of heart. -- Mt 19:8. Often sought by the Jews -- Mic 2:9; Mal 2:14. Sought on slight grounds -- Mt 5:31; 19:3. Not allowed to those who falsely accused their wives -- De 22:18,19. Women Could obtain. -- Pr 2:17; Mr 10:12. Could marry after. -- De 24:2. Responsible for vows after. -- Nu 30:9. Married after, could not return to first husband. -- De 24:3,4; Jer 3:1. Afflicted by. -- Isa 54:4,6. Priests not to marry women after -- Le 21:14. Of servants,”
  7. Numbers “Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. -- Numbers 30:13”
  8. Ephesians “Ephesians 5:24 (BBE) — And as the church is under Christ's authority, so let wives be under the rule of their husbands in all things.”
  9. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 2:17: guide . . . youth--lawful husband (Jer 3:4). covenant . . . God--of marriage made in God's name.”
  10. 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).”
  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).”
  12. Numbers (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Numbers 30:16: These are the statutes which the Lord commanded Moses between a man and his wife,.... Relating to vows made by the wife, and confirmed or disannulled by the husband: Aben Ezra adds, if she is at age or in puberty, understanding it of a married and not a betrothed wife: between the father and his daughter; if she is not at age, as the same writer observes; for if she is at age he has nothing to do with her vows: being yet in her youth; not at age, being not twelve years and one day old: in her father's house; in his power and jurisdiction, and at his disposal, ”
  13. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 7:3: 7:3-4 Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, married Christians must always be considerate of the sexual needs of their spouses. Sexual intimacy is a mutual right for both spouses in a marriage and must not be withheld. Marriage includes yielding the authority over one’s body to one’s spouse, though such authority is clearly not to be abused.”
  14. Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 1:28: And God blessed them,.... The man and the woman he had made, with all the blessings of nature and Providence; with all the good things of life; with his presence, and with communion with himself in a natural way, through the creatures; and particularly with a power of procreating their species, as follows, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth: if this is not an express command, as the Jews understand it, for marriage and procreation of children, it seems to be more than a bare permission; at least it is a direction and an advic”
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