Where in the Bible does it talk about marriage?

Question

Ok, in our culture (United States) marriage is accomplished by having a religious figure or "notary public" announce two people as married, then file the paperwork so it goes into the public records that the two people are married. This seems to be a pretty non-religious organization.

However, I am curious: what does the Judeo-Christian Bible actually say about marriage? What does it define marriage as? Does there have to be a piece of paper to prove it? In "bible times" did people just announce their intentions to the public, and leave it at that? How did it work "back then"? Like Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and Adam and Eve, and all of them... I am very curious.

This is an honest question.

I am preparing an in-depth study on the subject; however, before I do so I would like to get a general guess of what the public and/or Judeo-Christian population believes the Bible's slant is on marriage.

I do plan to read the Bible, but I am asking You! what you have learned. Thankyou :]

Answer 1

http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=marriage

Answer 2

Right from the Genesis, the institution of marriage is there, so far as the Bible is concerned. For example, Abraham's relationship with Sarah was legitimate and only when they did not have any issue till late stage, Sarah consented to Abraham sleeping with Hagar the Egyptian maid servant that Sarah brought with her and in the process Ismail was born. But this practice of sleeping with another woman did not per Se confer a right on her to claim Abraham as her husband. The conjugal relationship between Abraham and Hagar was never given the stamp of Honor, dignity and legitimacy in the Bible. As a result, when Sarah became jealous of paternal love of father Abraham towards Ismail, she almost dictated Abraham to expel both the mother with the little child and abandon them in a god-forsaken place; and Abraham obliged. Ismail whose illegitimacy is established in Bible and who was blessed by Abraham to father many races whose descendants are the present Arabians among others are being looked down upon by the Jews as well as many Christians to-day. This mind set is the contribution of the Biblical facts that largely condition western thinking.

Answer 3

Well, in Genesis it declares that Eve was a help meet (or partner) to Adam. And while there is no ACTUAL description of a marriage ceremony in the Scripture... maybe you should read up on the cultures of that region. The Jewish tradition includes something called a "covenant" or contract where the male member actually wrote down that he would provide adequate food, shelter, saftey for his wife and their children, and she would contract to be a partner to him in life, bear his children and share her family's business interests with him.
Further references to marriage can be found in: Leviticus, Malachi, Matthew, ... get a Bible and start reading, there are SO many references, and btw... Abraham was Isaac's dad and Isaac was Jacob's dad.

Answer 4

Marriage was first instituted by God, at the time Adam and Eve were created. Genesis 2:24 reads "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." From what I understand, during the pre-Mosaic days , there was a contract set between the brides father or brother(s) and the groom's father. Once an agreement was made, the groom purchased the bride from her family. Most times there were feasts and celebrations, but occasionally there were not. Brides did not have a say in the matter

Answer 5

I have a very good and easy to read book for you that will answer your question very easily. It is not too long and in no way tries to persuade. It merely describes the basics of what you are inquiring. The related Scripture, the history of how Christianity viewed marriage. It even talks about celibacy and stuff.

Christopher West "Theology of the Body for Beginners" I'm sure you can find it at your library.

Answer 6

Mark 10:6

5And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

6But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

7For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

8And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

9What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.


Marriage is an establishment of life long commitment between one man and one woman...however, we are called upon to obey the laws of the land which indicated a legalization of marriage. If that is what you mean anyway? Essentially yeah, modern day "marriage" with the big wedding ceremony and all that..man's concept...just like divorce and adultry...God's way was much purer than that and simpler. Love in Christ, ~J~ <><


There is mass scripture though referring to marriage, marrying and all that...so just do a search using this tool..

http://www.biblegateway.com....choose KJV and enter your keyword search..copy and paste your scripture results into a Word document and then compare..you will notice that marriage between a man and a woman is used to symbolize the gathering of Gods church to Himself...good luck.

Answer 7

This if what my history professor once said in class so if anyone does not agree with it that is cool, I just want to quote him and you can form your own opinion. He said that marriage wasn't really related to religion until after the formation of Christianity. It was mostly used to combine two families to form alliances and attain more wealth before religion was involved.

Answer 8

about marriage in the BIble, well i got your point! lets consider ther time before, during the early times since there was only few people living they just do ceremony proclaiming as husband and wife but not in record because maybe they were really bound to one person compare in our time today... if a married man not satisfied with his wife he just do divorce, well we can observe some instances in the Bible, but we see to it that God's will for us.. especially when we decide for marriage, choosing the right one for you with God's approval is something to honor and be thankful to God.

Answer 9

The paper is to satisfy any red tape in society.

Marriage is mentioned in various places in the Bible. Off hand, for one reference, if you read 1st Corinthians chapter 7, it gives you some guide lines.

Answer 10

http://www.maranathalife.com/
http://www.themarriagebed.com/

These people are experts. They have taught at dozens of universities and have written at least 35 books

The marathalife staff are in Toluca Mexico right now. They probobly wont come back untill the 2nd of July. Fell free to check out their websuite or e-mail the people from "the marrage bed".

Answer 11

Probably similar to how they do religious cereomnies now. Have a priest, minister, etc... marry them before friends, family and God.