In biblical times, the concept of being "betrothed" was a significant and binding commitment, akin to what we understand today as an engagement, but with much greater legal and social implications. The term "betrothed" refers to a woman who is pledged to be married to a man, and this period of betrothal was considered a formal and legally binding agreement.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, betrothal is seen as a covenantal agreement between families, often involving the exchange of a bride price or dowry. The betrothal period was a time of preparation for the marriage, during which the couple was considered legally bound to each other, though they did not yet live together or consummate the marriage. Deuteronomy 22:23-24 provides insight into the seriousness of betrothal, stating: "If there is a virgin pledged in marriage to a man, and another man encounters her in the city and sleeps with her, you must take both of them to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. You must purge the evil from among you."

This passage highlights the gravity of the betrothal relationship, equating the violation of a betrothed woman with adultery, which was punishable by death under Mosaic Law. The betrothed woman was often referred to as a "wife" even before the marriage was consummated, underscoring the binding nature of the betrothal.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the betrothal of Mary and Joseph provides a clear example of the cultural and religious significance of this period. Matthew 1:18-19 states: "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly."

Here, Joseph is referred to as Mary's "husband" even though they were only betrothed, indicating the seriousness of the betrothal. Joseph's consideration of a "divorce" during the betrothal period further illustrates that breaking a betrothal required formal legal action, similar to a divorce after marriage.

Cultural and Theological Significance

The betrothal period was a time of fidelity and expectation, symbolizing the covenant relationship between God and His people. The prophets often used the imagery of betrothal to describe God's relationship with Israel, as seen in Hosea 2:19-20: "And I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD."

This metaphorical use of betrothal emphasizes the faithfulness, commitment, and love that God desires in His relationship with His people. The betrothal period, therefore, serves as a powerful symbol of the anticipation and preparation for the ultimate union between Christ and His Church, as depicted in Revelation 19:7: "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready."

In summary, the concept of being betrothed in the Bible carries deep legal, cultural, and theological significance, reflecting the covenantal nature of marriage and the divine relationship between God and His people.(imp. & p. p.) of Betroth.3423. mnesteuo -- to espouse, betroth
... Verb Transliteration: mnesteuo Phonetic Spelling: (mnace-tyoo'-o) Short Definition:
I ask in marriage Definition: I ask in marriage; pass: I am betrothed. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3423.htm - 7k

718. harmozo -- to fit, join, hence to join oneself to (in ...
... Word Origin from harmos Definition to fit, join, hence to join oneself to (in marriage)
NASB Word Usage betrothed (1), suffer (1), treated (1). espouse. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/718.htm - 6k

3565. numphe -- a bride, a young woman
... From a primary but obsolete verb nupto (to veil as a bride; compare Latin "nupto,"
to marry); a young married woman (as veiled), including a betrothed girl; by ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3565.htm - 7k

781. aras -- to betroth
... engaged. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to betroth NASB Word Usage
betroth (4), betrothed (1), engaged (6). betroth, espouse. ...
/hebrew/781.htm - 5k

One who had Betrothed a Maiden, Corrupted Her Sister...
... Canon XXV. One who had betrothed a maiden, corrupted her sister? One who had
betrothed a maiden, corrupted her sister, so that she conceived. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xxv one who had.htm

It is Decreed that virgins who have Been Betrothed...
... Canon XI. It is decreed that virgins who have been betrothed? It is decreed
that virgins who have been betrothed, and who have ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xi it is decreed.htm

He who Brings to the Intercourse of Marriage a Woman who is ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XCVIII. He who brings to the intercourse
of marriage a woman who is betrothed to another? ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xcviii he who brings.htm

Whether Seven Years is Fittingly Assigned as the Age for Betrothal ...
... Now a betrothal can be arranged by the parents without the knowledge of either of
the persons betrothed. ... Therefore they can become betrothed before that age. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether seven years is fittingly.htm

The Parallel Case of Mary Considered.
... arguments), again, there is one who appears to himself to have made an ingenious
answer; (to the effect that) inasmuch as Mary was "betrothed," therefore it is ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter vi the parallel case of.htm

Whether a Betrothal Can be Dissolved?
... penalty. Now the man who contracts an infirmity would be punished if he were
to lose his right to the woman betrothed to him. Therefore ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a betrothal can be.htm

A Night to be Remembered
... And I entreat Thee now, that Thou wilt look upon me in Thy fathomless mercy,
and that Thou wilt be to me as my betrothed and my beloved. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxxix a night to.htm

The Rule of Veiling not Applicable to Children.
... And the betrothed indeed have the example of Rebecca, who, when she was being
conducted"herself still unknown"to an unknown betrothed, as soon as she ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter xi the rule of veiling.htm

Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
... we seek to be wise above what is written as to the birth of the Son of God] of Jesus
Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed [The Jews ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/ix annunciation to joseph of.htm

Joseph Therefore came from Jud??a into Galilee, Intending to Marry ...
... Joseph therefore came from Jud??a into Galilee, intending to marry the virgin who
had been betrothed to him; for already three months had elapsed, and it was ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of the nativity of mary/chapter 10 joseph therefore came.htm

Betrothed (19 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Betroth. Multi-Version Concordance Betrothed (19 Occurrences). ... Luke 1:27
to a maiden betrothed to a man of the name of Joseph, a descendant of David. ...
/b/betrothed.htm - 12k

Betroth (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary To promise "by one's truth." Men and women were
betrothed when they were engaged to be married. This usually ...
/b/betroth.htm - 9k

Lain (57 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Exodus 22:16 And when a man doth entice a virgin who 'is' not betrothed,
and hath lain with her, he doth certainly endow her to himself for a wife; (YLT) ...
/l/lain.htm - 24k

Betrothal (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Engagement for marriage; betrothing, or the fact
of being betrothed; a mutual promise, engagement, or contract for a future ...
/b/betrothal.htm - 7k

Seduce (8 Occurrences)
... (b) The seduction of a betrothed virgin: This case (Deuteronomy 22:23-27; not referred
to in the other codes) is treated as virtually one of adultery, the ...
/s/seduce.htm - 12k

Damsel (43 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:23 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and
a man find her in the city, and lie with her; (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/d/damsel.htm - 20k

Finds (71 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 22:23 If there be a damsel that is a virgin betrothed unto a man,
and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; (See NAS). ...
/f/finds.htm - 24k

Intended (38 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Betrothed; affianced; as, an intended husband. 5. (n.) One with whom
marriage is designed; one who is betrothed; an affianced lover. ...
/i/intended.htm - 17k

Espousal
... For example, in 2 Samuel 3:14, "I espoused to me" (Hebrew 'erasti li) becomes "I
betrothed to me." So also, in Matthew 1:18 Luke 1:27; Luke 2:5 which refer to ...
/e/espousal.htm - 7k

Espouse (2 Occurrences)
... For example, in 2 Samuel 3:14, "I espoused to me" (Hebrew 'erasti li) becomes "I
betrothed to me." So also, in Matthew 1:18 Luke 1:27; Luke 2:5 which refer to ...
/e/espouse.htm - 9k

Does Deuteronomy 22:28-29 command a rape victim to marry her rapist? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Christian view of engagement? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about rape? | GotQuestions.org

Betrothed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus