Topical Bible: Marry

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Definition and Biblical Context:

The concept of marriage is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, serving as a foundational institution established by God. Marriage is defined as a covenantal union between a man and a woman, designed for companionship, procreation, and mutual support. It is a sacred bond that reflects the relationship between Christ and the Church.

Old Testament Foundations:

The institution of marriage is first introduced in the Book of Genesis. In Genesis 2:24 , it is written, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This verse underscores the divine intention for marriage to be a lifelong, exclusive union. The creation narrative highlights the complementary nature of man and woman, as seen in Genesis 2:18 : "The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'"

Throughout the Old Testament, marriage is portrayed as a covenantal relationship. Malachi 2:14 emphasizes this, stating, "The LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant."

New Testament Teachings:

In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms the sanctity of marriage. In Matthew 19:4-6 , He states, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the spiritual significance of marriage in Ephesians 5:31-32 , where he writes, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church." Here, marriage is depicted as a living metaphor for the union between Christ and His Church, characterized by love, sacrifice, and unity.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Bible outlines specific roles and responsibilities within the marriage relationship. Husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially, as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25). Wives are encouraged to respect and submit to their husbands as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-24). These roles are intended to foster harmony and reflect the divine order within the family unit.

Marriage and Family:

Marriage is also the context for raising children and building a family. Psalm 127:3-5 describes children as a heritage from the Lord, emphasizing the importance of family within the biblical framework. The family unit is seen as the primary context for spiritual instruction and growth, as outlined in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 : "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children."

Marriage and Society:

In biblical times, marriage was not only a personal commitment but also a social contract that affected the wider community. The stability of marriage was seen as essential for the well-being of society. Proverbs 18:22 states, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD," highlighting the blessings that marriage brings to individuals and communities.

Conclusion:

The biblical view of marriage is one of a sacred, covenantal relationship ordained by God. It is designed to reflect His love and faithfulness, providing a framework for companionship, procreation, and spiritual growth. Through marriage, individuals are called to live out the principles of love, respect, and unity, serving as a testament to God's divine plan for humanity.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. t.) To unite in wedlock or matrimony; to perform the ceremony of joining, as a man and a woman, for life; to constitute (a man and a woman) husband and wife according to the laws or customs of the place.

2. (v. t.) To join according to law, (a man) to a woman as his wife, or (a woman) to a man as her husband.

3. (v. t.) To dispose of in wedlock; to give away as wife.

4. (v. t.) To take for husband or wife.

5. (v. t.) Figuratively, to unite in the closest and most endearing relation.

6. (v. i.) To enter into the conjugal or connubial state; to take a husband or a wife.

7. (interj.) Indeed ! in truth ! -- a term of asseveration said to have been derived from the practice of swearing by the Virgin Mary.

Greek

1060. gameo -- to marry
... to marry. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: gameo Phonetic Spelling:
(gam-eh'-o) Short Definition: I marry Definition: I marry, used of either sex. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1060.htm - 7k

1918. epigambreuo -- to marry
... to marry. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epigambreuo Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-gam-bryoo'-o) Short Definition: I marry a deceased brother's wife ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1918.htm - 6k

1547. ekgamizo -- give in marriage.
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekgamizo Phonetic Spelling: (ek-gam-id'-zo)
Short Definition: I give in marriage, marry Definition: I give in marriage ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1547.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

2983. lambano -- to take, receive
... 1), conferred* (2), conspired* (1), consulted* (1), experienced* (1), forgotten*
(1), gets (1), gripped (1), incur (1), married (2), marry (2), obtained (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2983.htm - 11k

Strong's Hebrew

1166. baal -- to marry, rule over
... 1165, 1166. baal. 1167 . to marry, rule over. Transliteration: baal Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-al') Short Definition: married. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/1166.htm - 6k

2992. yabam -- to perform the duty of a husband's brother
... the duty (2), perform your duty (1). perform the duty of a husband's brother,
marry. A primitive root of doubtful meaning; used only ...
/hebrew/2992.htm - 6k

3427. yashab -- to sit, remain, dwell
... In ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle,
to marry -- (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing ...
/hebrew/3427.htm - 7k

802. ishshah -- woman, wife, female
... woman (1), every (1), everyone (1), female (3), girls* (1), harem* (5), harlot's*
(2), harlot* (3), marriage (9), married (3), married* (6), marry* (3), none ...
/hebrew/802.htm - 6k

3947. laqach -- to take
... 1), find (1), flashing (1), flashing forth (1), get (25), gets (1), got (2), has
(1), keep (1), married (9), married* (6), marries (1), marry (5), obtain (1 ...
/hebrew/3947.htm - 6k

5275. naal -- a sandal, shoe
... A sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or
of something valueless) -- dryshod, (pair of) shoe((-latchet), -s). ...
/hebrew/5275.htm - 6k

5414. nathan -- to give, put, set
... 2), left hanging (1), lend (1), lends (1), let (7), lies* (1), lift (5), lifts
(1), made (43), made turn (3), make (66), makes (3), making (3), marry off (1 ...
/hebrew/5414.htm - 9k

1961. hayah -- to fall out, come to pass, become, be
... 2), held (1), help* (1), indeed (1), keep* (1), lasted (1), lasts (1), lay (2),
left (2), lies (1), lived* (1), lives (1), made (3), marry* (4), marrying* (1 ...
/hebrew/1961.htm - 8k

376. ish -- man
... against another (1), man of each (1), man the men (1), man your husband (1), man's
(21), man's are the men (1), manchild (1), mankind* (1), marry* (1), marrying ...
/hebrew/376.htm - 7k

1350. gaal -- to redeem, act as kinsman
... A primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), ie To be
the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow ...
/hebrew/1350.htm - 6k

Library

Wesley Decides to Marry
... Chapter 9. Wesley's Marriage; Dealings with Cornwall Smugglers; His Illness
and Recovery Wesley Decides to Marry. Friday, February ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley decides to marry.htm

Whether a Believer Can Marry an Unbeliever?
... OF DISPARITY OF WORSHIP AS AN IMPEDIMENT TO MARRIAGE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether
a believer can marry an unbeliever? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a believer can marry.htm

Whether a Slave Can Marry Without his Master's Consent?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF THE CONDITION OF SLAVERY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
a slave can marry without his master's consent? Objection ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a slave can marry.htm

Whether a Husband Can Marry Again after Having a Divorce?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT THAT SUPERVENES TO MARRIAGE AFTER ITS CONSUMMATION, NAMELY
FORNICATION (SIX ARTICLES) Whether a husband can marry again after having a divorce ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a husband can marry.htm

If a Presbyter Marry, Let Him be Removed from his Order...
... Canon I. If a presbyter marry, let him be removed from his order? If a
presbyter marry, let him be removed from his order; but ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon i if a presbyter.htm

Better to Marry than to Burn.
... Homily V. Chapter XXV."Better to Marry Than to Burn. "Since, therefore,
the erotic desire occurs for the sake of continuation ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xxv better to marry than.htm

Whether one Can be Compelled by One's Father's Command to Marry?
... OF COMPULSORY AND CONDITIONAL CONSENT (SIX ARTICLES) Whether one can be
compelled by one's father's command to marry? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether one can be compelled.htm

The Members of the Church Shall not Indiscriminately Marry their ...
... Canon X. The members of the Church shall not indiscriminately marry their children
to heretics.? ... Ancient Epitome of Canon X. Thou shalt not marry a heretic. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon x the members of.htm

They who have Been Made Deacons, Declaring when they were Ordained ...
... Canon X. They who have been made deacons, declaring when they were ordained
that they must marry? They who have been made deacons ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon x they who have.htm

Faustus Repels the Insinuation that the Prophecy of Paul with ...
... Book XXX. Faustus repels the insinuation that the prophecy of Paul with reference
to those that should forbid to marry. Faustus repels ...
/.../faustus repels the insinuation that.htm

Thesaurus

Marry (48 Occurrences)
... a term of asseveration said to have been derived from the practice of swearing by
the Virgin Mary. Multi-Version Concordance Marry (48 Occurrences). ...
/m/marry.htm - 22k

Divorced (10 Occurrences)
... I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of
fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that ...
/d/divorced.htm - 9k

Widow (71 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:24 "Teacher," they said, "Moses enjoined, 'If a man die childless, his
brother shall marry his widow, and raise up a family for him.' (WEY RSV NIV). ...
/w/widow.htm - 31k

Whoredom (58 Occurrences)
... 32 but I -- I say to you, that whoever may put away his wife, save for the matter
of whoredom, doth make her to commit adultery; and whoever may marry her who ...
/w/whoredom.htm - 24k

Marital (4 Occurrences)
... 32 but I -- I say to you, that whoever may put away his wife, save for the matter
of whoredom, doth make her to commit adultery; and whoever may marry her who ...
/m/marital.htm - 7k

Marries (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 7:28 But if you marry, you have not sinned. ... 1 Corinthians 7:38 So that
he that marries himself does well; and he that does not marry does better. ...
/m/marries.htm - 12k

Continency (1 Occurrence)
... American), "to contain" the King James Version): Paul, although he would that all
men were like himself unmarried, yet advises that they should marry if they ...
/c/continency.htm - 8k

Committeth (22 Occurrences)
... I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of
fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that ...
/c/committeth.htm - 13k

Wife (437 Occurrences)
... The right to inherit the widow soon became a duty to marry her if the deceased had
left no sons, and in case there was no brother-in-law, the duty of marriage ...
/w/wife.htm - 42k

Burn (206 Occurrences)
... (2) puroo, used twice, once in the sense of inflamed with sexual desire (1 Corinthians
7:9), "For it is better to marry than to burn" and in 2 Corinthians 11 ...
/b/burn.htm - 43k

Resources

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

What does it mean that it is better to marry than to burn in 1 Corinthians 7:9? | GotQuestions.org

Is it possible to marry the wrong person? | GotQuestions.org

Marry: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Marry (48 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:32
But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
(KJV ASV WBS YLT)

Matthew 19:9
And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Matthew 19:10
His disciples said to him, "If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 22:24
saying, "Teacher, Moses said,'If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed for his brother.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 22:30
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God's angels in heaven.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 10:11
And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Mark 10:12
and if she herself shall put away her husband, and marry another, she committeth adultery.
(ASV DBY)

Mark 12:19
"Rabbi," they said, "Moses made it a law for us: 'If a man's brother should die and leave a wife, but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up a family for his brother.'
(WEY NAS NIV)

Mark 12:25
For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 20:28
"Rabbi, Moses made it a law for us that if a man's brother should die, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up a family for his brother.
(WEY NAS NIV)

Luke 20:34
Jesus said to them, "The children of this age marry, and are given in marriage.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 20:35
But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:1
I now deal with the subjects mentioned in your letter. It is well for a man to abstain altogether from marriage.
(See NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:9
But if they don't have self-control, let them marry. For it's better to marry than to burn.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:28
But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:36
But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn't sin. Let them marry.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:37
But if a father stands firm in his resolve, being free from all external constraint and having a legal right to act as he pleases, and in his own mind has come to the decision to keep his daughter unmarried, he will do well.
(See NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:38
So that he that marries himself does well; and he that does not marry does better.
(DBY NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:39
A woman is bound to her husband during the whole period that he lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to marry whom she will, provided that he is a Christian.
(WEY NIV)

1 Timothy 4:3
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
(KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NIV)

1 Timothy 5:11
But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

1 Timothy 5:14
I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Genesis 19:14
Lot went out, and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters, and said, "Get up! Get out of this place, for Yahweh will destroy the city." But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be joking.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 28:1
Isaac called Jacob, blessed him, and commanded him, "You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.
(See RSV NIV)

Genesis 28:6
Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram, to take him a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a command, saying, "You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan,"
(See RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:26
And Laban said, In our country we do not let the younger daughter be married before the older.
(See NAS)

Genesis 34:21
"These men are peaceful with us. Therefore let them live in the land and trade in it. For behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.
(See NIV)

Genesis 38:8
And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Leviticus 18:18
"'You shall not take a wife to her sister, to be a rival, to uncover her nakedness, while her sister is yet alive.
(See NAS)

Leviticus 21:7
"'They shall not marry a woman who is a prostitute, or profane; neither shall they marry a woman divorced from her husband: for he is holy to his God.
(WEB RSV NIV)

Leviticus 21:14
A widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry: but a virgin of his own people shall he take as a wife.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 30:6
And if she be married to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the clear utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul;
(See NAS)

Numbers 36:3
And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then will their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of our fathers, and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they shall belong; so will it be taken away from the lot of our inheritance.
(See NAS NIV)

Numbers 36:4
When the jubilee of the children of Israel shall be, then will their inheritance be added to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they shall belong: so will their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers."
(See NIV)

Numbers 36:6
This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.
(KJV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 36:8
And every daughter owning property in any tribe of the children of Israel is to be married to one of the family of her father's tribe, so that every man of the children of Israel may keep the heritage of his fathers.
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 20:7
Or if any man is newly married and has had no sex relations with his wife, let him go back to his house, so that in the event of his death in the fight, another man may not take her.
(See NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 22:29
then the man who lay with her shall give to the lady's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he has humbled her; he may not put her away all his days.
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 24:4
her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Yahweh: and you shall not cause the land to sin, which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance.
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 25:5
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.
(KJV DBY WBS NIV)

Deuteronomy 25:7
If the man doesn't want to take his brother's wife, then his brother's wife shall go up to the gate to the elders, and say, "My husband's brother refuses to raise up to his brother a name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband's brother to me."
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 25:8
Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak to him: and if he stand, and say, "I don't want to take her;"
(See NIV)

Joshua 23:12
Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you;
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 11:37
She said to her father, "Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may depart and go down on the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my companions."
(See NIV)

Judges 11:38
He said, "Go." He sent her away for two months: and she departed, she and her companions, and mourned her virginity on the mountains.
(See NIV)

Judges 14:8
After a while he returned to take her; and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 62:5
For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons shall marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 44:22
Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her who is put away; but they shall take virgins of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Marry

Related Terms

Sending (188 Occurrences)

Samson (37 Occurrences)

Naomi (25 Occurrences)

Noe (6 Occurrences)

Nanaea

Unfaithfully (19 Occurrences)

Giving (611 Occurrences)

Flood (70 Occurrences)

Transgress (26 Occurrences)