Topical Bible: Marriage: Expressed by Giving Daughters to Sons, and Sons to Daughters

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Topical Encyclopedia

Marriage, as depicted in the Bible, is a sacred covenant established by God, often expressed through the giving of daughters to sons and sons to daughters. This practice is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and reflects the cultural and spiritual significance of marriage in ancient Israelite society.

Biblical Foundations

The concept of marriage as a union between a man and a woman is established early in the Scriptures. 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 foundational verse underscores the divine intention for marriage to be a lifelong, monogamous union.

Cultural Practices

In biblical times, marriages were often arranged by families, with parents playing a significant role in the selection of spouses for their children. This is evident in the practice of giving daughters to sons and sons to daughters, which served to strengthen familial and tribal bonds. For example, in Genesis 24, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, emphasizing the importance of family involvement in marriage arrangements.

Examples in Scripture

1. Isaac and Rebekah: In Genesis 24, Abraham's servant is sent to find a wife for Isaac from among his relatives. Rebekah is given to Isaac as a wife, illustrating the practice of giving daughters to sons within the same kinship group.

2. Jacob and Leah/Rachel: In Genesis 29, Jacob works for Laban in exchange for his daughters, Leah and Rachel. This narrative highlights the transactional nature of marriage arrangements, where daughters are given to sons as part of familial agreements.

3. Samson: In Judges 14, Samson desires a Philistine woman, and his parents arrange the marriage. Although this union is outside the Israelite community, it demonstrates the parental role in facilitating marriages.

Spiritual Significance

Marriage in the Bible is not merely a social contract but a covenantal relationship that mirrors God's covenant with His people. The giving of daughters to sons and sons to daughters symbolizes the joining of two families and the continuation of God's promises through generations. Malachi 2:15 states, "Has not the LORD made them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring." This verse highlights the spiritual purpose of marriage in producing godly offspring who will carry forward the faith.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, marriage continues to be upheld as a sacred institution. Ephesians 5:31-32 reiterates the Genesis mandate, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." The apostle Paul further explains that this union is a profound mystery, reflecting Christ's relationship with the Church.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of marriage as expressed by giving daughters to sons and sons to daughters underscores the importance of family, community, and covenant in the marital relationship. This practice, deeply embedded in the cultural and spiritual fabric of biblical times, continues to inform contemporary Christian understandings of marriage as a divinely ordained institution.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 7:3
Neither shall you make marriages with them; your daughter you shall not give to his son, nor his daughter shall you take to your son.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 9:12
Now therefore give not your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters to your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that you may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter cxxx. To Demetrias.
... of prayer, of fasting, of obedience, of giving up money ... example, she was discouraged
by their expressed wish and ... close at hand and when a marriage chamber was ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxx to demetrias.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... in the proposition on which his marriage hinged ... Then the one expressed his godly
sentiments in a ... both names of the ancient town, giving "Hebron" parenthetically ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

Boniface, Apostle of the Germans.
... the houses of the laity, and giving exhortations to ... of the new converts, is beautifully
expressed in a ... a hinderance to the conclusion of a marriage, and could ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/boniface apostle of the germans.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the ...
... sent on this errand of mercy expressed great satisfaction ... confer upon the benighted
sons and daughters of Africa! ... that they were the means of giving to these ...
/.../chapter 14 from the close.htm

Hidden Manna
... I drank in the expressed juice of the sacred clusters, and ... text of Scripture, end
the dispute by giving way at ... A Memorial of the Marriage of the Princess Louise ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/hidden manna.htm

The Perpetual virginity of Blessed Mary.
... which might seem ambiguous if not expressed are plainly ... you institute a comparison
between virginity and marriage. ... more dishonour in a virgin giving birth to ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the perpetual virginity of blessed.htm

Chapter xxx
... God's institution of the order of marriage is ignored. ... She believes that God, in
giving success to the substitute ... in the case of the sister is expressed by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxx.htm

"Love that Passeth Knowledge. "
... died; but, before she was taken away, she expressed a desire to ... at my boy I thought
of the Father giving His Son ... to sit down with Him at the marriage supper of ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter i love that passeth.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... With such grounds for giving considerable importance to the ... rest of the world is
nowhere definitely expressed, as in ... he who gives his sister, in marriage to a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Chapter iv
... to record how the divine favour or disfavour was expressed. ... again) made assurance
doubly sure by even giving Cain a sign ... according to 5:4. Nor can marriage to a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm