Topical Bible: Witness: To Marriage

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In the context of biblical teachings, the concept of witnessing a marriage holds significant importance. The role of witnesses in a marriage ceremony is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of covenant, community, and accountability.

Biblical Foundation

Marriage, as instituted by God, is a covenantal relationship between a man and a woman. This covenant is not only a private agreement but a public declaration before God and the community. The presence of witnesses serves to affirm the solemnity and binding nature of this covenant. In the Old Testament, the concept of witnesses is often associated with legal and covenantal agreements. For instance, in the book of Ruth, the elders and all the people at the gate served as witnesses to Boaz's redemption of Ruth (Ruth 4:9-11).

Role of Witnesses

Witnesses in a marriage ceremony serve several purposes:

1. Public Declaration: The presence of witnesses underscores the public nature of the marriage covenant. It is a declaration before God and the community that the couple is entering into a lifelong commitment.

2. Accountability: Witnesses hold the couple accountable to their vows. They serve as a reminder of the promises made and can encourage the couple to remain faithful to their commitments.

3. Legal Recognition: In many cultures, including those influenced by biblical principles, witnesses are required for the legal recognition of a marriage. This practice reflects the biblical understanding of the importance of community acknowledgment in covenantal agreements.

Marriage as a Covenant

The Bible consistently portrays marriage as a covenant, a sacred bond that mirrors God's covenant with His people. Malachi 2:14 highlights this by stating, "Yet you ask, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant." Here, God Himself is described as a witness to the marriage covenant, emphasizing its divine and binding nature.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, while the specific role of human witnesses in marriage ceremonies is not explicitly detailed, the communal aspect of the Christian faith implies the importance of community involvement in significant life events, including marriage. Jesus' presence at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11) can be seen as an affirmation of the communal celebration and recognition of marriage.

Cultural and Historical Context

Throughout history, the role of witnesses in marriage has varied across cultures, but the underlying principle of public acknowledgment remains consistent. In Jewish tradition, for example, the presence of witnesses is essential for the validity of a marriage contract (ketubah). This practice aligns with the biblical emphasis on community and covenant.

Conclusion

The role of witnesses in marriage, as understood through a biblical lens, is integral to the covenantal nature of the union. Witnesses serve to affirm the public, accountable, and sacred aspects of the marriage covenant, reflecting the broader biblical themes of community and divine witness.

Nave's Topical Index

Ruth 4:10,11
Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place: you are witnesses this day.
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Isaiah 8:2,3
And I took to me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.
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Library

The Domestic Relation.
... holy love together with happy, obedient children bowing together at the shrine of
devotion is the most imposing scene the eye and heart can witness. Marriage. ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xiii the domestic relation.htm

Whether There was a True Marriage Between Mary and Joseph?
... The fact of her marriage is declared, not to insinuate the loss of virginity, but
to witness to the reality of the union." Nevertheless, this marriage had the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was a true.htm

Marriage, I Say, is a Good, and May Be...
... could fearless sacrifice his only pledge of offspring, for whose sake marriage was
dear! ... in Job patience, which God knew, and to which He bore witness: but it ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 24 marriage i say.htm

Therefore the Good of Marriage Throughout all Nations and all Men ...
... Therefore that marriage takes place for the sake of begetting children, the Apostle
is a witness thus, "I will," says he, "that the younger women be married ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 32 therefore the good.htm

For, Whereas that Natural Use, when it Pass Beyond the Compact of ...
... of the husband profits the unbelieving wife, the same Apostle is witness, saying,
"For ... they may, in a certain way, find themselves obliged by marriage to think ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 12 for whereas that.htm

That "It is Said that Marriage is not Appointed by God. "
... Because concerning that very marriage which is now contracted, the Lord was consulted
by ... put asunder." [2547] The Apostle Paul also applied this witness of the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 9 v another calumny of.htm

St. Ambrose Explains that He is not Speaking against Marriage...
... "He who giveth his virgin in marriage doeth well, and ... What truer witness to thy
unsightliness do we require, O woman, than thyself who art afraid to be seen? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi st ambrose explains.htm

Group --The Two Sons, the Wicked Husbandmen, and the Marriage of ...
... of three parables, the two sons, the wicked husbandmen, and the marriage of the ...
establish the Messiahship of Jesus to whom John had borne witness, and that if ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/groupthe two sons the wicked.htm

Excursus on the Marriage of the Clergy.
... The witness of the Western Fathers although so absolutely and indisputably clear
is not ... were chosen when either virgins or continent after marriage, and bishops ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the marriage of.htm

Plans of Marriage
... heroic. Across Augustin's calm narrative, we witness the scene. ... Thus, little
by little, he began to think seriously of marriage. His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv plans of marriage.htm