Topical Encyclopedia In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, marriage was a highly esteemed institution, and for women, not being given in marriage was often viewed as a significant misfortune. This perspective is deeply rooted in the societal norms and religious beliefs of ancient Israel and the surrounding cultures.Cultural Context In ancient Israel, marriage was not only a personal union but also a social contract that ensured the continuation of family lineage and the preservation of property within the tribe. Women played a crucial role in this process, as they were expected to bear children and contribute to the household. The absence of marriage for a woman often meant a lack of social status, economic security, and protection, which were typically provided by a husband. Biblical References The Bible reflects this cultural understanding in several passages. In the book of Judges, Jephthah's daughter laments her fate of remaining unmarried due to her father's vow: "She said to her father, 'Let this be done for me: Let me be alone for two months, and I will go with my friends and weep on the mountains because of my virginity.'" (Judges 11:37). Her mourning underscores the perceived calamity of not fulfilling the expected role of a wife and mother. Similarly, in Isaiah 4:1, the prophet describes a time of judgment when "seven women will take hold of one man in that day, saying, 'We will eat our own bread and provide our own clothes. Only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!'" . This passage highlights the desperation and social stigma associated with being unmarried, as women sought to remove their reproach by any means necessary. Social Implications The societal implications of remaining unmarried were profound. A woman's identity and security were closely tied to her role within the family unit. Without marriage, a woman might face economic hardship and social isolation. The account of Ruth and Naomi illustrates this reality, as Naomi expresses her bitterness over the loss of her husband and sons, which left her and Ruth vulnerable: "Do not call me Naomi," she replied. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me." (Ruth 1:20). Religious Significance From a religious standpoint, marriage was also seen as a divine institution ordained by God. The creation narrative in Genesis establishes the foundational principle of marriage: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24). This divine mandate underscored the importance of marriage in fulfilling God's purposes for humanity. Conclusion The biblical portrayal of marriage as a vital and honorable institution reflects the cultural and religious values of the time. For women, not being given in marriage was considered a calamity due to the loss of social standing, economic security, and the opportunity to participate in the continuation of family and community life. The Bible's narratives and laws emphasize the significance of marriage and the challenges faced by those who remained unmarried in ancient society. Nave's Topical Index Judges 11:37And she said to her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down on the mountains, and mourn my virginity, I and my fellows. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 78:63 Isaiah 4:1 Library Of the Discipline and Advantage of Chastity. The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ... Women who Witnessed the Fall of Rome Letter cxxv. To Rusticus. V. ... John xiii. 1 An Exhortation to Theodore after his Fall. Letter I. Of the Three Woe Trumpets. Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men Compel them to Come In Resources What does the Bible have to say about women missionaries? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women? | GotQuestions.org Since women preachers can be just as good as men, doesn't that mean they are called to preach? | 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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