Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the institution of marriage was deeply rooted in family and community structures, with parental consent playing a crucial role in the process. The cultural and religious context of ancient Israel placed significant emphasis on the authority of parents, particularly fathers, in arranging marriages for their daughters. This practice is reflected in various passages throughout the Scriptures, underscoring the importance of familial approval in marital unions.One of the clearest examples of parental involvement in marriage arrangements is found in the account of Isaac and Rebekah. In Genesis 24, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. The servant, upon meeting Rebekah, seeks the consent of her family before proceeding with the marriage proposal. Genesis 24:50-51 states, "Laban and Bethuel answered, 'This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter. Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has decreed.'" This passage highlights the necessity of family approval in the marriage process. Similarly, in the case of Jacob and Rachel, Jacob approaches Laban, Rachel's father, to seek permission to marry her. Genesis 29:18-19 records, "Since Jacob loved Rachel, he said, 'I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.' Laban replied, 'Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.'" This interaction further illustrates the role of the father in granting permission for his daughter's marriage. The Mosaic Law also reflects the importance of parental consent in marriage. In Exodus 22:16-17 , the law addresses the situation of a man who seduces a virgin: "If a man entices a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and lies with her, he must pay the bride price, and she will be his wife. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man must still pay the bride price for virgins." This law underscores the father's authority to refuse a marriage, even if the bride price has been paid, emphasizing the necessity of parental consent. In the New Testament, while the cultural context had evolved, the principle of parental involvement in marriage decisions remained significant. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, acknowledges the role of parents in the marriage of their daughters. In 1 Corinthians 7:36-38 , Paul advises, "If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward his virgin, and she is past her youth, and he feels she ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married. But the man who is firmly established in his heart, and under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and has determined in his heart to keep her as his virgin, will do well. So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better." This passage reflects the ongoing expectation of parental guidance and decision-making in the context of marriage. Throughout the biblical narrative, the consent of parents, particularly fathers, was a fundamental aspect of the marriage process. This practice was rooted in the belief that parents, as the heads of the family, were responsible for ensuring the well-being and proper alignment of their daughters' marriages within the community and covenantal framework. The biblical emphasis on parental consent in marriage underscores the value placed on family authority and the continuity of faith and tradition across generations. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 24:3,4And I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: Nave's Topical Index Genesis 34:6 Exodus 22:17 Library Whether one Can be Compelled by One's Father's Command to Marry? Women of the Frankish Church The Nuns of the Primitive Church Letter clxvii . To Rusticus, Bishop of Gallia Narbonensis, with ... Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel Book 1 Footnotes: Christ the Best Husband: or an Earnest Invitation to Young Women ... India as Carey Found It The Holidays at Thagaste An Account of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church ... Resources Why do women have such a small role in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about women leaders in government? Should a woman be President? | GotQuestions.org What roles can women fill in ministry? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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