Topical Bible: Marriage: A Benediction Pronounced After

◄ Marriage: A Benediction Pronounced After ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the Christian tradition, marriage is regarded as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, instituted by God. The Bible provides numerous references to the sanctity and significance of marriage, and it is often accompanied by blessings and benedictions that seek divine favor upon the union.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of marriage as a divine institution is rooted in the creation narrative. Genesis 2:24 states, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This foundational verse underscores the unity and permanence intended in marriage.

Benedictions in Scripture

While the Bible does not prescribe a specific benediction to be pronounced after a marriage ceremony, several passages reflect the spirit of blessing that is often invoked. One such passage is found in Numbers 6:24-26 , commonly known as the Aaronic Blessing: "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace." This blessing, though not exclusive to marriage, is frequently used to invoke God's favor and peace upon the newlyweds.

Another relevant passage is found in Psalm 128, which speaks of the blessings of those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways. Verses 3-4 highlight the familial blessings: "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine flourishing within your house, your sons like olive shoots sitting around your table. In this way indeed shall blessing come to the man who fears the LORD."

Traditional Christian Benedictions

In Christian liturgical practices, a benediction pronounced after the marriage ceremony often seeks to encapsulate the biblical ideals of love, unity, and divine blessing. A traditional benediction might include elements such as:

· Acknowledgment of God's presence and guidance in the marriage.
· A prayer for the couple's love to reflect Christ's love for the Church, as described in Ephesians 5:25 : "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her."
· A request for the couple to be blessed with wisdom, patience, and understanding as they build their life together.
· An invocation for the couple to be fruitful and multiply, echoing the blessing given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28 : "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it."

Cultural and Denominational Variations

Different Christian denominations and cultures may have unique traditions and wordings for the marriage benediction. However, the underlying theme remains consistent: a prayerful request for God's continued presence and blessing upon the couple as they embark on their journey together.

Conclusion

The benediction pronounced after a marriage ceremony serves as a powerful reminder of the divine nature of the marital covenant. It seeks to affirm the couple's commitment to each other and to God, invoking His blessings for a life marked by love, faithfulness, and mutual support.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 24:60
And they blessed Rebekah, and said to her, You are our sister, be you the mother of thousands of millions, and let your seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ruth 4:11,12
And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do you worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
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Library

That Man's Transgression did not Annul the Blessing of Fecundity ...
... Not Annul the Blessing of Fecundity Pronounced Upon Man ... they should have fulfilled
the benediction of God ... But that blessing upon marriage, which encouraged them ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 that mans transgression did.htm

On the Holy Eucharist
... Once at a marriage in Cana of Galilee (John 2 ... part of the Mass are the words of
consecration pronounced? ... Here I might tell you what Benediction of the Blessed ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 22 on the holy.htm

A Diet of Public Worship in the Time of Knox.
... a Psalm was sung by the congregation and the Benediction was pronounced, or rather ...
If a marriage was to be celebrated the parties presented themselves in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter iv a diet of.htm

Letter cxcix. Canonica Secunda.
... wounds should be blessing another, for benediction is the ... case a canon has been
pronounced, although different ... abominating, as they do, marriage, refusing wine ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxcix canonica secunda.htm

The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ...
... with a benediction pronounced by a priest or a rabbi. After these solemn espousals
the relation between Mary and Joseph was as sacred as though marriage had ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/i the women of the.htm

The Eastern Sects: Nestorians, Jacobites, Copts, Armenians.
... Church, but in simpler and less pronounced form ... fasting; the requisition of a single
marriage for priests ... They reject the benediction with three fingers instead ...
/.../ 21 the eastern sects .htm

Impossible that Marcion's Christ Should Reprove the Faithless ...
... of little children, which are simply the issue of marriage? ... of mankind, and in such
benediction included also ... be not so, he must be pronounced impious enough ...
/.../chapter xxiii impossible that marcions christ.htm

Fresh Troubles
... saw a young charioteer, on the eve of his marriage, horribly trampled ... at the end
of the apse; and when he had pronounced the opening Benediction, Peace be ...
/.../chapter xxxviii fresh troubles.htm

Epistle Lxii. C??cilius, on the Sacrament of the Cup of the Lord.
... justify the Gentiles through faith, pronounced before to ... In Genesis, therefore, that
the benediction, in respect of ... although the Lord at the marriage made wine ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxii caecilius on the.htm

Society Soon Learned the News of the Countess Hermenstein's ...
... "The marriage should never ... up, "The excommunication of Denis Vergniaud will be
pronounced to-day ... drooped over him as though in a sorrow-stricken benediction. ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxvii society soon learned the.htm