In biblical terms, "customary" refers to practices, traditions, or norms that are regularly observed by individuals or communities. These customs often hold significant cultural, religious, or social importance and can be seen throughout the biblical narrative. The Bible provides numerous examples of customs that were integral to the lives of its characters and the societies in which they lived.

Old Testament Customs

In the Old Testament, customs often revolved around religious observances, social interactions, and legal practices. For instance, the practice of circumcision was a significant custom for the Israelites, serving as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:10-14). The observance of the Sabbath, as commanded in Exodus 20:8-11, was another critical custom, emphasizing rest and worship.

Marriage customs are also highlighted, such as the betrothal process and the giving of a bride price (Genesis 24:53). The account of Ruth and Boaz illustrates the custom of levirate marriage, where a close relative marries a widow to preserve the family line (Ruth 4:1-10).

New Testament Customs

In the New Testament, customs continue to play a vital role in the life and ministry of Jesus and the early church. Jesus often engaged with Jewish customs, such as attending synagogue services (Luke 4:16) and participating in Jewish festivals like Passover (Luke 22:7-8). However, He also challenged certain customs that had become burdensome or misinterpreted, emphasizing the spirit of the law over mere ritual (Mark 7:8-9).

The Apostle Paul, while advocating for the freedom found in Christ, also respected certain customs to avoid causing offense and to further the gospel. For example, he circumcised Timothy to accommodate Jewish customs (Acts 16:3) and participated in purification rites (Acts 21:26).

Cultural and Social Customs

Customs in the Bible also extend to cultural and social practices. Hospitality was a highly valued custom, as seen in the account of Abraham welcoming the three visitors (Genesis 18:1-8) and the exhortation in Hebrews 13:2 to show hospitality to strangers. Mourning customs, such as wearing sackcloth and ashes, were expressions of grief and repentance (Esther 4:1; Jonah 3:6).

Customs and the Law

The relationship between customs and the law is evident in the Bible. While customs often informed the application of the law, they were not to supersede God's commandments. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for allowing traditions to nullify the word of God (Matthew 15:3-6). The early church grappled with the role of Jewish customs in the life of Gentile believers, ultimately affirming that salvation is through faith in Christ, not adherence to the law (Acts 15:1-29).

Conclusion

Customs in the Bible reflect the diverse cultural, religious, and social contexts of the biblical narrative. They provide insight into the daily lives of biblical characters and the communities they inhabited, while also highlighting the tension between tradition and divine command.1. (a.) Agreeing with, or established by, custom; established by common usage; conventional; habitual.

2. (a.) Holding or held by custom; as, customary tenants; customary service or estate.

3. (n.) A book containing laws and usages, or customs; as, the Customary of the Normans.

1486. etho -- to be accustomed, part. custom
... custom. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: etho Phonetic Spelling: (eth'-o) Short
Definition: I am accustomed, custom, what was customary Definition: I am ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1486.htm - 6k

4210. porphurous -- purple
... See 4209 (). (Jn 19:5) It was customary in ancient times for a to dress in .
Hence, giving Jesus a cloak, Him as someone merely to be a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4210.htm - 6k

1480. ethizo -- to accustom, ie the established custom (perf. pass ...
... pass. part.) NASB Word Usage custom (1). to accustom. From ethos; to accustom, ie
(neuter passive participle) customary -- custom. see GREEK ethos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1480.htm - 6k

5532. cakan -- to be of use or service, benefit
... A primitive root; to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable
to, be customary -- acquaint (self), be advantage, X ever, (be, (un ...
/hebrew/5532.htm - 5k

4941. mishpat -- judgment
... the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice,
including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a ...
/hebrew/4941.htm - 7k

Whether Vengeance Should be Wrought by Means of Punishments ...
... OF VENGEANCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether vengeance should be wrought by means
of punishments customary among men? Objection 1: It seems ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether vengeance should be wrought.htm

Of the Points in which the Service Held on Sunday Differs from ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XI. Of the points in which the service held on Sunday
differs from what is customary on other days. But we ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi of the points.htm

Of Him whom the Superior came Upon and Found in his Cell, Deluded ...
... inside, and stood still for a little while, wanting to know what it was that he
was reading from the Bible or repeating by heart (as is customary) while he was ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi of him whom.htm

Let the Ancient Customs in Egypt, Libya and Pentapolis Prevail...
... the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya and Pentapolis prevail, that the Bishop of
Alexandria have jurisdiction in all these, since the like is customary for the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon vi let the ancient.htm

It Cannot be Proved from Scripture that the Father Existed Before ...
... "Experience teaches us," you say, "that the being which generates is prior to that
which is generated." I:answer: Follow our customary experience through all ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xi it cannot be.htm

Private Prayer, and Public Worship.
... of Jesus the one unique example in human history of a life which is morally perfect
and immaculate, if we were to take these out of it, the customary share in ...
/.../percival/sermons at rugby/vii private prayer and public.htm

A Glance at the Disciples of Jesus on Holy Saturday.
... It was then about three in the morning, and they went straight to the Temple, it
being customary among many Jews to get there before day dawned, on the day ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lviii a glance at.htm

Scriptural Uses of the General Words for Prayer
... God. We said that the term prayer (aw-thar') is, as in Jacob's case, in
many places employed in a sense other than the customary. ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter ii scriptural uses of.htm

And Having Summoned Nicodemus and the Twelve Men that Said He was ...
... Again Pilate, having summoned all the multitude of the Jews, says: You know that
it is customary, at the feast of unleavened bread, to release one prisoner to ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 9 and having summoned.htm

The Seventh Rule of Tichonius.
... And when an expression of this sort occurs where it is customary to find it, there
is no trouble in understanding it; when it occurs, however, where it is not ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 37 the seventh rule of.htm

Customary (8 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Holding or held by custom; as, customary tenants; customary service
or estate. ... Multi-Version Concordance Customary (8 Occurrences). ...
/c/customary.htm - 8k

Practice (71 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual performance; a succession
of acts of a similar kind; usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising ...
/p/practice.htm - 28k

Bind (68 Occurrences)
... upon a part. 5. (vt) To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action;
as, certain drugs bind the bowels. 6. (vt) To protect ...
/b/bind.htm - 32k

Customarily (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a customary manner; habitually.
Multi-Version Concordance Customarily (1 Occurrence). Judges ...
/c/customarily.htm - 6k

Abstinence (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Voluntary forbearance of an action, especially the refraining from an
indulgence of appetite, or from customary gratifications of animal or sensual ...
/a/abstinence.htm - 25k

Meal-time (1 Occurrence)
... Later it became customary to grind the grain into flour, at first by the rudimentary
method of pestle and mortar (Numbers 11:8; compare Proverbs 27:22), later ...
/m/meal-time.htm - 24k

Way (7551 Occurrences)
... Most of them have the primary meaning of "road," "customary path," "course
of travel" (Genesis 3:24 Exodus 23:20 Numbers 20:17, etc.). ...
/w/way.htm - 15k

Mealtime (1 Occurrence)
... Later it became customary to grind the grain into flour, at first by the rudimentary
method of pestle and mortar (Numbers 11:8; compare Proverbs 27:22), later ...
/m/mealtime.htm - 24k

Meals (8 Occurrences)
... Later it became customary to grind the grain into flour, at first by the rudimentary
method of pestle and mortar (Numbers 11:8; compare Proverbs 27:22), later ...
/m/meals.htm - 27k

Beard (23 Occurrences)
... (3) The view of some that it was customary among the Hebrews to shave the upper
lip is considered by the best authorities as without foundation. ...
/b/beard.htm - 21k

What is the Haggadah / Aggadah? | GotQuestions.org

What were common marriage customs in Bible times? | GotQuestions.org

What is genuflection? What does it mean to genuflect? | GotQuestions.org

Customary: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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