Marriage(wedding)
Summary
Marriage is a divine institution established at creation in which a man and woman become one flesh, ordained by God for companionship, procreation, and as a picture of Christ's relationship to the church.
☩Origin and Divine Institution
Marriage is founded on the requirements of human nature and dates from original creation. God declared it was not good for man to be alone and provided a 'help meet for him'—literally, 'the exact counterpart of himself.' From Adam's declaration in Genesis 2:24 several principles emerge: the unity of husband and wife as 'one flesh,' the indissolubility of the bond except on the strongest grounds, monogamy as the original design, and the social equality of man and wife alongside the subordination of the wife to the husband. Jesus confirmed this charter of marriage, emphasizing that God 'made them male and female' and joined them together, so that 'what God has joined together, let not man separate.'
☩Marriage Among the Hebrews
Among the Hebrews, married life was the expected norm—'any Jew who has not a wife is no man,' according to the Talmud. Marriage was regarded as a sacred duty and almost sacramental. Parents or guardians typically selected spouses for their children, with the father's authority paramount in arranging matches. Betrothal was a binding transaction specifying the terms agreed upon, and the betrothed woman was virtually regarded as the wife of her future husband—faithlessness during betrothal was punishable. A marriage price (mohar) was paid to the bride's family, and an interval of typically one to two years separated betrothal from the wedding celebration.
☩Wedding Ceremonies
The essential ceremony consisted of the removal of the bride from her father's house to that of the bridegroom. The bridegroom wore an ornamental turban while the bride was veiled and adorned with jewels and fine robes. Late in the evening, the bridegroom came with his companions bearing torches and preceded by musicians. The bride and her maidens eagerly awaited his coming, and when he arrived, a procession conducted her to his home for a feast lasting seven days or more. Jesus honored marriage by His presence at the wedding in Cana, where He performed His first miracle.
☩Divorce and Remarriage
The Mosaic law permitted divorce due to the hardness of men's hearts, though Jesus declared 'from the beginning it was not so.' Jesus restricted legitimate divorce to cases of sexual immorality, prohibiting remarriage for those divorced on improper grounds. The apostle Paul reinforced the sanctity of the marriage bond, teaching that a woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives, and that those whom God has joined should not be separated. Remarriage after a spouse's death was permitted, though abstinence from it was considered praiseworthy in certain cases.
☩Marriage as a Spiritual Type
Scripture uses marriage to typify the union between God and His people. In the Old Testament, Israel is portrayed as the bride of Yahweh, and her idolatry is described as adultery. In the New Testament, the church is the bride of Christ, and the marriage relationship between husband and wife is explicitly said to symbolize Christ's love for the church. Paul quotes Genesis 2:24 and declares, 'This mystery is great—but I speak concerning Christ and the church.' The consummation of this spiritual marriage is anticipated in Revelation, where the marriage supper of the Lamb celebrates the final union of Christ with His redeemed people.
Related Verses133 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Marriage," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Marriage," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Marriage," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Marriage (I.)," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Marriage," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 6.George Morrish, "Marriage," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).