Espousal, in biblical terms, refers to the period of betrothal or engagement prior to marriage. This period was a significant and binding phase in the Jewish marriage tradition, carrying legal and social implications. The concept of espousal is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel and is reflected in various biblical narratives and laws.

Biblical Context and Significance

In the biblical context, espousal was more than a mere promise to marry; it was a formal agreement that established a legal relationship between the man and the woman. This period allowed the couple to prepare for their future life together while maintaining certain boundaries. The espousal was often accompanied by the payment of a bride price or dowry, which served as a form of security for the bride.

The espousal period is exemplified in the relationship between Mary and Joseph, the earthly parents of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is noted that Mary was "betrothed to Joseph" (Matthew 1:18). This betrothal was so binding that Joseph is referred to as Mary's husband even before they came together as a married couple. The seriousness of this commitment is further highlighted when Joseph, upon discovering Mary's pregnancy, considered divorcing her quietly to avoid public disgrace (Matthew 1:19). This indicates that breaking an espousal required a formal divorce, underscoring its binding nature.

Cultural Practices

The espousal period typically lasted about a year, during which the couple was considered legally bound to each other, though they did not live together or engage in marital relations. This time was used for the bride to prepare for her new role and for the groom to establish a home for his future family. The espousal was often celebrated with a public ceremony, marking the beginning of this significant phase.

In ancient Israel, the espousal was a covenantal agreement, reflecting the broader biblical theme of covenant relationships. The prophet Hosea uses the imagery of espousal to describe God's relationship with Israel, emphasizing faithfulness and commitment (Hosea 2:19-20). This metaphor highlights the spiritual significance of espousal as a reflection of divine love and fidelity.

Legal and Social Implications

The legal implications of espousal are evident in the Mosaic Law, which provided guidelines for various situations that could arise during this period. For instance, Deuteronomy 22:23-24 addresses the consequences of infidelity during betrothal, treating it with the same seriousness as adultery. This underscores the sanctity and commitment expected during the espousal period.

Socially, the espousal was a time of anticipation and preparation, not only for the couple but also for their families and communities. It was a period marked by joy and expectation, as the community looked forward to the forthcoming marriage celebration.

Spiritual Symbolism

Espousal also carries spiritual symbolism in the New Testament, where the Church is described as the bride of Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, expresses his desire to present the Church as a pure virgin to Christ, using the language of betrothal to convey the depth of commitment and purity expected of believers (2 Corinthians 11:2). This imagery reinforces the idea of espousal as a time of preparation and sanctification, leading to the ultimate union with Christ.

In summary, espousal in the biblical sense is a profound and multifaceted concept, encompassing legal, social, and spiritual dimensions. It serves as a powerful metaphor for covenantal relationships, both human and divine, and underscores the themes of commitment, faithfulness, and preparation that are central to the biblical narrative.1. (n.) The act of espousing or betrothing; especially, in the plural, betrothal; plighting of the troths; a contract of marriage; sometimes, the marriage ceremony.

2. (n.) The uniting or allying one's self with anything; maintenance; adoption; as, the espousal of a quarrel.

ESPOUSAL; ESPOUSE

es-pouz'-al, es-pouz':

In the King James Version these words, following English usage of an earlier day, are used to signify either marriage or betrothal, while the American Standard Revised Version discriminates, and uses them only for marriage. For example, in 2 Samuel 3:14, "I espoused to me" (Hebrew 'erasti li) becomes "I betrothed to me." So also, in Matthew 1:18 Luke 1:27; Luke 2:5 which refer to the relation between Joseph and Mary before the birth of Jesus, "espoused" (mnesteuo) becomes "betrothed." On the other hand, "espoused" is retained in Songs 3:11 ("the day of his espousals"-that is, day of marriage); in Jeremiah 2:2 ("the love of thine espousals"-that is, the love of married state); and in 2 Corinthians 11:2 ("I espoused (hermosamen) you to one husband").

E. J. Forrester

3623. kelulah -- betrothal
... espousal. Denominative passive participle from kallah; bridehood (only in the plural) --
espousal. see HEBREW kallah. 3622, 3623. kelulah. 3624 . ...
/hebrew/3623.htm - 6k

2861. chathunnah -- a marriage, wedding
... wedding (1). espousal. From chathan; a wedding -- espousal. see HEBREW chathan.
2860b, 2861. chathunnah. 2862 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2861.htm - 6k

2860. chathan -- daughter's husband, bridegroom
... chathan; a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a
circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal) -- bridegroom, husband ...
/hebrew/2860.htm - 5k

St. Ambrose Now Goes Back to the Address of Liberius when He Gave ...
... vying with each other for your companionship. "You," said he, "my daughter,
have desired a good espousal. You see how great a crowd ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter i st ambrose now.htm

The Best Introduction to this Production Will be the Following ...
... You have well said, She has an artificer [in espousal]; but by that espousal
she does not bear an artificer on an equality with herself. ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/the best introduction to this.htm

Whether the Angels Receive the Dowries?
... Reply to Objection 2: Espousal is taken there in a broad sense, for union without
conformity of specific nature: and in this sense nothing prevents our saying ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the angels receive the.htm

Christ the Best Husband: or an Earnest Invitation to Young Women ...
... chose you. Secondly, In this espousal of yours, my dear sisters, there is
a mutual affection; this doth accompany the choice. Your ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the best husband or.htm

To Queen Giovanna of Naples (Written in Trance)
... of Catherine. Her temporary espousal of the cause of Urban has made only
more painful her reversion to the side of Clement. "You ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to queen giovanna of naples.htm

2 Cor. xi. 1
... as a pure virgin." Therefore I am jealous, not for myself, but for him to whom I
have espoused you.' For the present time is the time of espousal, but the time ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiii 2 cor xi.htm

Go Forth, O Ye Daughters of Zion, and Behold King Solomon with the ...
... It crowns Christ in the day of His espousals with a glory as sublime as it is
infinite and unfading. But what is the Lamb's espousal day? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/11 go forth o ye.htm

Letter cl. (AD 413. )
... find greater joy in obtaining, through espousals to her divine Lord, a pre-eminent
glory in heaven, than she could have had in becoming, through espousal to a ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cl a d 413.htm

The Voice that Breathed O'er Eden
... The primal marriage blessing,. It hath not passed away. Still in the pure espousal.
Of Christian man and maid,. The holy Three are with us,. ...
/.../holy matrimony 383 the voice.htm

The Life of Mary is Set Before virgins as an Example...
... how many virgins shall she meet, how many shall she embrace and bring to the Lord,
and say: "She has been faithful to her espousal, to my Son; she has kept her ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ii the life of.htm

Espousal
... 2. (n.) The uniting or allying one's self with anything; maintenance; adoption;
as, the espousal of a quarrel. Int. ...ESPOUSAL; ESPOUSE. ...
/e/espousal.htm - 7k

Espouse (2 Occurrences)
... The espousal was a ceremony of betrothing, a formal agreement between the parties
then coming under obligation for the purpose of marriage. ...ESPOUSAL; ESPOUSE. ...
/e/espouse.htm - 9k

Espousals (2 Occurrences)

/e/espousals.htm - 7k

Espied (3 Occurrences)

/e/espied.htm - 7k

Dowry (5 Occurrences)
... See Dower. 2. (n.) A gift; endowment. 3. (n.) A gift or presents for the bride,
on espousal. See Dower. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DOWRY. ...
/d/dowry.htm - 11k

Heresy (2 Occurrences)
... In the fixed ecclesiastical sense that it ultimately attained, it indicated not
merely any doctrinal error, but "the open espousal of fundamental error ...
/h/heresy.htm - 12k

Songs (100 Occurrences)
... and Lowth in their view that the So celebrates the marriage of Solomon and an Egyptian
princess; and Lowth's notion of a reference to the espousal of a church ...
/s/songs.htm - 62k

Spouse (7 Occurrences)
... daughters-in-law"). See ESPOUSAL; MARRIAGE; RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY.
Multi-Version Concordance Spouse (7 Occurrences). Song of Songs ...
/s/spouse.htm - 9k

Song (207 Occurrences)
... and Lowth in their view that the So celebrates the marriage of Solomon and an Egyptian
princess; and Lowth's notion of a reference to the espousal of a church ...
/s/song.htm - 78k

Moses (9295 Occurrences)
... Whether he did so in word, by definite renunciation, or by his espousal of the cause
of the slave against the oppressive policy of Pharaoh is of little ...
/m/moses.htm - 53k

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