Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the term "daughter-in-law" refers to the wife of one's son. The role and relationships of daughters-in-law are mentioned in various passages throughout the Bible, providing insight into family dynamics, cultural expectations, and spiritual lessons.Old Testament References 1. Ruth and Naomi: One of the most notable examples of a daughter-in-law in the Bible is Ruth, the Moabite woman who married Mahlon, the son of Elimelech and Naomi. After the death of her husband, Ruth's loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, is profoundly illustrated in Ruth 1:16-17 : "But Ruth replied: 'Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.'" Ruth's commitment to Naomi and her subsequent marriage to Boaz highlight themes of loyalty, redemption, and divine providence. 2. Tamar and Judah: Another significant account is that of Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Judah. Tamar was initially married to Judah's son Er, and after his death, she was given in marriage to his brother Onan. Following Onan's death, Tamar took matters into her own hands to secure her place in the family lineage, as described in Genesis 38. This account underscores the complexities of levirate marriage and the importance of family lineage in Israelite society. 3. Micah 7:6: The prophet Micah speaks of familial discord, mentioning the daughter-in-law in a list of strained relationships: "For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the members of his own household" (Micah 7:6). This verse reflects the potential for conflict within family structures, a theme echoed in other prophetic and wisdom literature. New Testament References 1. Jesus' Teachings: In the New Testament, Jesus refers to the daughter-in-law in the context of the division that His message may bring to families. In Matthew 10:35-36 , Jesus states, "For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’" This passage highlights the radical nature of discipleship and the potential cost of following Christ, even at the expense of familial harmony. 2. Parable of the Ten Virgins: While not directly mentioning daughters-in-law, the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 can be seen as a reflection on marriage customs and the role of women in the context of a wedding, which would include daughters-in-law as part of the extended family network. Cultural and Theological Insights The role of the daughter-in-law in biblical times was often defined by her relationship to her husband's family, particularly her mother-in-law. The narratives involving daughters-in-law reveal the importance of loyalty, faithfulness, and the continuation of family lines. They also illustrate the potential for both harmony and conflict within family relationships, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. Theologically, the accounts of daughters-in-law like Ruth and Tamar demonstrate God's sovereignty and grace in using unexpected individuals and circumstances to fulfill His purposes. These accounts encourage believers to trust in God's providence and to value the bonds of family, both biological and spiritual. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DAUGHTER-IN-LAWThesaurus DaughterinlawDaughterinlaw. Daughter, Daughterinlaw. Daughter-in-law . Int. ... See RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY. Daughter, Daughterinlaw. Daughter-in-law . Reference Bible. /d/daughterinlaw.htm - 6k Daughter-in-law (16 Occurrences) Daughter (320 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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