Lexical Summary ownah: Season, time, duty Original Word: עוֹנָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance duty of marriage From an unused root apparently meaning to dwell together; sexual (cohabitation) -- duty of marriage. Brown-Driver-Briggs [עוֺנָה] Qr, [ עֵינָה] Kt noun feminine only suffix Hosea 10:10: Qr plural עוֺנֹתָם Baer, singular עוֺנָתָם Ginsb; > עֵינֹתָם Kt; but read עֲוֺנֹתָם, see עָוֺן 1a.. [עֹנָה] noun feminine cohabitation (Late Hebrew עוֺנָה time, also = Biblical Hebrew; possibly response or correspondence, commerce, from above √; or else euphemistic, specific time, SS (compare BaES 17, from √ Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope Though appearing only once in the Hebrew canon, עוֹנָה conveys the idea of an appointed time that, within the marriage covenant, became a fixed obligation of conjugal intimacy. The single usage carries sufficient weight to frame Israel’s view of marital rights and responsibilities, reminding every generation that true covenant love is expressed in tangible, rhythmic faithfulness. Biblical Context: Exodus 21:10 “If he takes another wife, he must not diminish the first one’s food, her clothing, or her marital rights” (Exodus 21:10). The verse forms part of case law given at Sinai to protect vulnerable wives. Three necessities—provision, protection, and passion—are listed together, establishing that physical intimacy is not optional sentiment but covenant duty. The legal setting shows that marital conjugal rights receive equal standing with food and clothing, underscoring their importance to holistic marital well-being. Marriage as Covenant Marriage in Scripture is never merely a social contract; it is covenant (Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:14). By including עוֹנָה in the marriage obligations, the Mosaic law demonstrates how covenant love is scheduled love. The frequency is not prescribed, but regularity is assumed. Intimacy keeps husband and wife knit together, reflects God’s design for joyful fruitfulness, and guards against temptation (Proverbs 5:18-19). Ancient Near Eastern Legal Background Other law codes of the era often viewed wives as property, yet Exodus places the wife’s conjugal entitlement under divine authority. Israelite law thereby elevated the status of women above surrounding cultures. By guaranteeing her “time” of intimacy, the text combats any tendency to neglect or manipulate sexuality, balancing male and female interests within marriage. Connection to Other Scriptural Passages Paul echoes the principle: “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband” (1 Corinthians 7:3). While the Greek term differs, the concept is identical: covenant partners owe one another regular, loving intimacy. Peter adds that husbands must live with wives “in an understanding way” (1 Peter 3:7), an exhortation that clearly includes attention to emotional and physical needs. Such New Testament teaching rests on the groundwork laid by עוֹנָה. Practical Ministry Implications • Marriage Counseling: Pastors can appeal to Exodus 21:10 when advising couples, showing that Scripture treats physical intimacy with seriousness and dignity. Christological and Eschatological Reflections Earthly marriage foreshadows the union between Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:25-32). Just as עוֹנָה points to regular, faithful intimacy, so the Lord continually nourishes and cherishes His Bride. The ultimate consummation awaits the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9), where covenant love reaches perfect fulfillment. Meanwhile, marital faithfulness—rooted in the principle of עוֹנָה—bears daily witness to the steadfast love of God. Forms and Transliterations וְעֹנָתָ֖הּ וענתה veonaTah wə‘ōnāṯāh wə·‘ō·nā·ṯāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 21:10 HEB: שְׁאֵרָ֛הּ כְּסוּתָ֥הּ וְעֹנָתָ֖הּ לֹ֥א יִגְרָֽע׃ NAS: her clothing, or her conjugal rights. KJV: her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish. INT: her food her clothing her conjugal may not reduce 1 Occurrence |
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); Thes from עון dwell); — suffix עֹנָתָהּ