Topical Bible: Marriage: The Jews: Contracted when Young

◄ Marriage: The Jews: Contracted when Young ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In ancient Jewish culture, marriage was a significant institution, deeply rooted in religious and social traditions. It was customary for marriages to be contracted at a young age, reflecting both cultural norms and practical considerations of the time.

Biblical Context and Cultural Practices

The practice of contracting marriages at a young age is evident in various biblical narratives and historical accounts. In Jewish society, marriage was not merely a personal or romantic union but a communal and familial arrangement. It was often orchestrated by the parents or guardians of the young individuals involved, emphasizing the importance of family alliances and social stability.

Scriptural References

The Bible provides several examples that illustrate the early age at which marriages were arranged. In the account of Isaac and Rebekah, Abraham's servant is sent to find a wife for Isaac, indicating the involvement of family in the marriage process (Genesis 24). Although the exact ages are not specified, the narrative suggests that these arrangements were made with young individuals in mind.

In the case of Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus, it is traditionally understood that Mary was a young woman, possibly in her early teens, when she was betrothed to Joseph. This aligns with the cultural norms of the time, where young women were often betrothed shortly after reaching puberty.

Legal and Social Considerations

Jewish law, as outlined in the Talmud and other rabbinic writings, provided guidelines for marriage, including the appropriate age for betrothal and marriage. The Mishnah, a key Jewish legal text, suggests that a father should arrange for his daughter's marriage as soon as she reaches a suitable age, typically around twelve years old, which was considered the age of maturity for girls.

For boys, the age of marriage was slightly older, often around eighteen, as they were expected to have the means to support a family. This age difference reflects the societal roles and responsibilities assigned to men and women within the marriage covenant.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, marriage in Jewish tradition was seen as a divine institution, ordained by God for companionship, procreation, and the continuation of the covenant community. The early contracting of marriages was viewed as a way to ensure the fulfillment of these divine purposes.

The Bible emphasizes the sanctity and covenantal nature of marriage, as seen in passages like Malachi 2:14, which refers to marriage as a "covenant" before God. This covenantal understanding underscored the seriousness with which marriage was approached, even when contracted at a young age.

Conclusion

The practice of contracting marriages at a young age among the Jews was deeply embedded in the cultural, legal, and theological fabric of ancient Israelite society. It reflected a commitment to family, community, and the divine purposes of marriage as outlined in Scripture.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 2:17
Which forsakes the guide of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joel 1:8
Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Marriage of Cana
... devil's making (as all such are, which are contracted only on ... They shall not weep,
as the Jews did at the ... we shall all sit together at the marriage supper of ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the marriage of cana.htm

Archelaus Procures a Reconciliation Between Alexander Pheroras ...
The Wars of the Jews or History of the ... advantage, that the relation they had contracted
by that ... him, if he would not dissolve that marriage, especially since ...
/.../chapter 25 archelaus procures a.htm

Of the Benefit of virginity and of Continency.
Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews. ... way he may please God; but he who has
contracted marriage thinks of ... If the young men have been kept back from women ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/32 of the benefit of.htm

Betar
... a pine; and, when the children contracted marriage, out of ... It was told the emperor
that the Jews rebelled ... say, that three hundred skulls of young children were ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 52 betar.htm

Sermons on Selected Lessons of the Gospels.
... Jews, still hope for Christ's coming, [1418]397, [1419]400; destroyed their Physician ...
to whom Christ was sent, [1427]343; in what sense they contracted sin, by ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of.htm

Concerning Jacob's Flight into Mesopotamia, by Reason of the Fear ...
The Antiquities of the Jews. ... said he, "I have joined my daughters to thee in marriage,
and supposed ... to me, nor to the affinity now newly contracted between us ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 19 concerning jacobs flight.htm

Saint Helena and the Time of Constantine
... the emperor had, like his father, contracted a "left ... of Helena, that there was no
marriage in the ... usually employed by Christians in dealing with reluctant Jews. ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/iv saint helena and the.htm

Matt. xv. 1
... both enjoying more honor, and having contracted much haughtiness ... of thing which belonged
to the Jews; and not ... thou not heard Paul, saying, "Marriage is honorable ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily li matt xv 1.htm

The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion
... viii., 13, seq.)--He foretels the subsequent Relations of the Jews to Him ... The contracted
Jewish Theodicy Rejected ... Parable of the Marriage Feast of the King's Son ...
/.../neander/the life of jesus christ in its historical connexion/

The Fourth Book
... far"for certain men who have contracted honorable marriages ... toppling over the lofty
structure of marriage for the ... said to the leaders of the Jews: "Fill ye ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fourth book.htm