Husband
“Man or master/owner; the house-band connecting the family”
Summary
The husband in the Hebrew household was the chief personage, serving as head, priest, and provider for his family, with Scripture setting forth his responsibilities of love and leadership toward his wife.
☩The Husband as Head
In the Hebrew household the husband and father was the chief personage of an institution regarded as having distinctly religious character and significance. As the family head he was priest of the household, responsible for the religious life of the family and the maintenance of the family altar. He offered sacrifices to God as the tribal or national Deity, as seen in the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Job. The husband had supreme authority over his wife or wives and children; in his own domain his rule was well-nigh absolute, and to dishonor him was a crime to be punished by death.
☩The Title 'Lord'
The wife looked up to her husband as her lord. Sarah called her husband Abraham 'lord,' a title that continued long after. The apostle Peter recommends this title as implying great respect as well as affection. The Hebrew term ba'al, meaning 'master' or 'owner,' was also used for husband, reflecting the husband's position as head of his house. In Hosea, God prophesies that Israel will call Him 'Ishi' (my husband) rather than 'Baali' (my master), indicating a more intimate relationship.
☩Marriage and Divorce
Betrothal and marriage were virtually one among the Jews; like marriage itself, betrothal could be dissolved only by death or divorce. Under the Mosaic Law, the marriage tie was comparatively easily broken, and divorces were common. During the period of the later prophets the ethical standard was considerably advanced—'God hates putting away.' Christ utterly set aside the Mosaic concession and limited the dissolution of marriage to the cause of adultery, apparently putting the two sexes on the same plane.
☩The Husband's Duty
The husband is the head of the wife and as such stands in the place of responsibility and authority; he is exhorted to love his wife. It is involved in headship that he love her as his own body, and cherish her, as the Lord does the assembly. The husband should not be bitter against his wife, but dwell with her according to knowledge, giving honor unto her as the weaker vessel and as being heirs together of the grace of life. The ideal husband trained his household in the way they should go religiously.
☩Figurative Usage
The relationship between husband and wife is used figuratively in Scripture. God's relationship with Israel is depicted as that of husband to wife—Israel having played the harlot but destined for restoration. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, 'I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.' In Revelation, the New Jerusalem is seen coming down from heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband—the Lord Jesus, the Lamb's husband. Christ and the church exemplify the union of loving headship and willing submission.
Related Verses142 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Husband," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Husband," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.George Morrish, "Husband," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Husband," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).