The Covenant of Marriage in Scripture and Christian Tradition

Marriage is presented in Scripture as a divinely instituted covenant relationship ^[1]. Its origins are traced to Paradise, where it was established when humanity was in innocence (Genesis 2:18-24) ^[4]. This original charter was later affirmed by Jesus Christ as the foundational principle for all regulations concerning marriage (Matthew 19:4-5) ^[4].

The term "covenant" (Hebrew: berith, Greek: diatheke) generally refers to a contract or agreement between two parties ^{[2, 5]}. In the Old Testament, berith is derived from a root meaning "to cut," referencing the ancient practice of cutting animals in two and the covenanting parties passing between the halves (Genesis 15; Jeremiah 34:18-19) ^{[2, 5]}. Covenants are characterized by clearly specified conditions, confirmation by oath, witnessing, and sometimes written and sealed documentation ^[6]. God is often called to witness these agreements ^[6].

The purposes of marriage, as outlined in Scripture, include the happiness of humanity (Genesis 2:18), increasing the human population (Genesis 1:28; 9:1), raising godly offspring (Malachi 2:15), and preventing sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 7:2) ^[1]. The expectation of the promised "seed of the woman" (Genesis 3:15; 4:1) also served as an incentive for marriage in early ages ^[1]. Marriage is described as "honourable for all" (Hebrews 13:4) and should be undertaken "only in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:39) ^[1]. Biblical expressions for marriage include "joining together" (Matthew 19:6), "making affinity" (1 Kings 3:1), and "taking to wife" (Exodus 2:1) ^[1].

While monogamy was the original design for marriage (Matthew 19:5; 1 Corinthians 6:16), this ideal was violated in later periods with the introduction of polygamy and concubinage, which were prevalent in the patriarchal age (Genesis 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8-9; 29:23-30) ^[4]. Even under Mosaic Law, polygamy was acknowledged ^[4].

The concept of marriage as a covenant is not limited to human relationships but also serves as a powerful symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people ^{[11, 12]}. For instance, the prophet Ezekiel uses marriage imagery to depict God's covenant with Israel, with adultery symbolizing Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 23:4; Isaiah 54:1-8; Ephesians 5:22-33) ^{[11, 12]}. This symbolic use highlights the depth and binding nature of God's commitment, emphasizing that God establishes covenants despite, rather than because of, human character (Romans 5:6-11) ^{[11, 12]}.

The covenant of marriage is understood to be made in God's name ^[13]. In the Old Testament, a wife is referred to as the "guide of your youth," indicating the lawful husband ^[13]. The binding nature of marital vows is also seen in passages like Numbers 30:13, where a husband has the authority to establish or void certain vows made by his wife ^[8].

The broader biblical understanding of covenant extends to God's covenants with figures like Noah (Genesis 6:18), Abraham (Genesis 15:7-18; 17:2-14), Isaac (Genesis 17:19, 21), Jacob (Genesis 28:13-14), and David (2 Samuel 23:5) ^{[3, 7]}. These covenants, particularly the new covenant prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34, find their fulfillment and ratification in Christ ^{[3, 9, 10]}. The new covenant, unlike the first covenant made at Sinai, addresses human weaknesses and offers striking promises, establishing its superiority through Christ's offering ^[9].

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”
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; ”
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: 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”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Covenants — Agreements between two parties -- Ge 26:28; Da 11:6. Designed for Establishing friendship. -- 1Sa 18:3. Procuring assistance in war. -- 1Ki 15:18,19. Mutual protection. -- Ge 26:28,29; 31:50-52. Establishing peace. -- Jos 9:15,16. Promoting commerce. -- 1Ki 5:6-11. Selling land. -- Ge 23:14-16. Conditions of Clearly specified. -- 1Sa 11:1,2. Conformed by oath. -- Ge 21:23,31; 26:31. Witnessed. -- Ge 23:17,18; Ru 4:9-11. Written and sealed. -- Ne 9:38; 10:1. God often called to witness -- Ge 31:50,53. When confirmed, unalterable -- Ga 3:15. Made by passing”
Genesis “But I will establish my covenant with you. You shall come into the ship, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. -- Genesis 6:18”
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”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 8:7: 8:7-13 The author quotes Jer 31:31-34, an Old Testament prophecy concerning the new covenant that includes a number of striking promises. Establishing the superiority of the new covenant lays a foundation for the argument in Heb 9:1–10:18 that the Son’s offering under the new covenant was superior to the offerings of the old covenant. 8:7 The first covenant, made at Sinai, was not faultless. It was not the end of God’s plan, because it didn’t solve human weaknesses (see 7:11-28; 8:9).”
Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 31:31: 31:31 The day of the new covenant was realized when Jesus Christ accomplished his redemptive mission on earth (see Heb 8:8-12).”
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).”
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.”

Ask Your Own Question