In the biblical context, the role and identity of a wife are deeply rooted in the creation narrative and the covenantal relationships established by God. The concept of a wife is introduced in the early chapters of Genesis, where God creates Eve as a companion for Adam, establishing the foundational institution of marriage.

Creation and Purpose

The creation of the first woman, Eve, is described in Genesis 2:18-24. God declares, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him" (Genesis 2:18). Eve is created from Adam's rib, symbolizing equality and unity, and she is presented to Adam as his wife. This passage underscores the complementary nature of the marital relationship, where the wife is seen as a partner and helper.

Marriage Covenant

The Bible portrays marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, with the wife playing a crucial role in this divine institution. In Malachi 2:14, the prophet speaks of the wife as "your partner and the wife of your marriage covenant" . This covenantal view emphasizes fidelity, mutual respect, and love as central to the marital relationship.

Roles and Responsibilities

The New Testament further elaborates on the roles and responsibilities of a wife within the marriage. Ephesians 5:22-24 instructs wives to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. This submission is not about inferiority but reflects a divine order and mutual respect within the marriage. The passage continues to call husbands to love their wives sacrificially, as Christ loved the church, highlighting the reciprocal nature of marital duties.

Proverbs 31 provides a detailed description of a virtuous wife, emphasizing her industriousness, wisdom, and fear of the Lord. The passage praises her ability to manage her household, support her husband, and contribute to the community, illustrating the multifaceted role of a wife.

Challenges and Redemption

The Bible also acknowledges the challenges faced by wives, including issues of barrenness, conflict, and societal pressures. Stories of women like Sarah, Hannah, and Ruth highlight the struggles and faithfulness of wives in various circumstances. These narratives often demonstrate God's provision and redemption, affirming the value and dignity of wives in His plan.

Symbolism and Typology

In biblical typology, the relationship between a husband and wife often symbolizes the relationship between Christ and the Church. The Church is depicted as the Bride of Christ, awaiting the consummation of the eternal marriage at the return of Christ. This imagery underscores the sanctity and eternal significance of the marital bond.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of a wife encompasses themes of partnership, covenant, and divine order. Through various narratives and teachings, the Bible presents the role of a wife as integral to God's design for marriage, reflecting His love and faithfulness.3994. penthera -- a mother-in-law
... a mother-in-law. Feminine of pentheros; a wife's mother -- mother in law, wife's
mother. see GREEK pentheros. (penthera) -- 3 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3994.htm - 6k

3995. pentheros -- a father-in-law
... father-in-law. Of uncertain affinity; a wife's father -- father in law. (pentheros) --
1 Occurrence. 3994, 3995. pentheros. 3996 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3995.htm - 6k

1135. gune -- a woman
... a woman. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: gune Phonetic Spelling:
(goo-nay') Short Definition: a woman, wife, my lady Definition: a woman, wife ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1135.htm - 7k

2860b. chothen -- wife's father or mother
... 2860a, 2860b. chothen. 2861 . wife's father or mother. Transliteration:
chothen Short Definition: father-in-law. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/2860b.htm - 5k

802. ishshah -- woman, wife, female
... 801, 802. ishshah. 803 . woman, wife, female. Transliteration: ishshah
Phonetic Spelling: (ish-shaw') Short Definition: wife. Word ...
/hebrew/802.htm - 6k

Peter's Wife's Mother Cured.
... PETER'S WIFE'S MOTHER CURED. After Jesus had left the Centurion ... with what joy
they went away!". [Illustration: PETER'S WIFE'S MOTHER.]. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the new testament/peters wifes mother cured.htm

The Cure of Simon's Wife's Mother.
... III. THE CURE OF SIMON'S WIFE'S MOTHER. In respect of the purpose I have in view,
it is of little consequence in what order I take the miracles. ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/iii the cure of simons.htm

Whether Marriage is Annulled by the Husband Committing Incest with ...
... SPELL, FRENZY OR MADNESS, INCEST AND DEFECTIVE AGE (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether marriage
is annulled by the husband committing incest with his wife's sister? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether marriage is annulled by.htm

Of the Hindrances which an Unbelieving Husband Puts in his Wife's ...
To His Wife. <. ... Book II. Chapter IV."Of the Hindrances Which
an Unbelieving Husband Puts in His Wife's Way. But let ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter iv of the hindrances which.htm

Whether a Sacred Order Cannot Supervene to Matrimony?
... Therefore if a married man be ordained, this will prejudice the wife, so that she
will be unable to demand the debt, since order is a spiritual, and marriage a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a sacred order cannot.htm

Letter clx. To Diodorus.
... It appears that he was asked by some one if it was lawful to contract marriage with
his deceased wife's sister; and, instead of shuddering at such a question ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter clx to diodorus.htm

Whether in a Case of Divorce Husband and Wife Should be Judged on ...
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT THAT SUPERVENES TO MARRIAGE AFTER ITS CONSUMMATION, NAMELY
FORNICATION (SIX ARTICLES) Whether in a case of divorce husband and wife should ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in a case of.htm

Whether the Husband Can on his Own Judgment Put Away his Wife on ...
... THAT SUPERVENES TO MARRIAGE AFTER ITS CONSUMMATION, NAMELY FORNICATION (SIX ARTICLES)
Whether the husband can on his own judgment put away his wife on account ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the husband can on.htm

Whether Slavery Can Supervene to Marriage?
... hold. But a husband who sells himself for a slave, does so sometimes to
cheat marriage, and at least to the detriment of his wife. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether slavery can supervene to.htm

Answer to Mr. W's First Objection.
... St. Matthew in his eighth chapter, having set down the miraculous cures of a leper,
of the centurion's servant, and of Peter's wife's mother, relates no more ...
/.../section 1 answer to mr.htm

Wife's (21 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wife's (21 Occurrences). Matthew 8:14 When Jesus came
into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. ...
/w/wife's.htm - 12k

Fever (13 Occurrences)
... Peter's wife's mother is said to have suffered from a "great fever" (Luke 4:38),
an instance of Luke's professional exactitude in describing disease. ...
/f/fever.htm - 17k

Vow (49 Occurrences)
... A father could veto a daughter's vow, and a husband a wife's. If a husband
did not veto a wife's vow, and then caused her to break ...
/v/vow.htm - 27k

Je-i'el (11 Occurrences)
... See RSV). 1 Chronicles 8:29 In Gibeon there lived the father of Gibeon, Jeiel,
whose wife's name was Maacah; (See RSV). 1 Chronicles ...
/j/je-i'el.htm - 9k

Jeiel (13 Occurrences)
... NIV). 1 Chronicles 8:29 In Gibeon there lived the father of Gibeon, Jeiel,
whose wife's name was Maacah; (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS NIV). 1 ...
/j/jeiel.htm - 13k

Mehet'abel (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:39 And Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead;
and the name of the city was Pau; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the ...
/m/mehet'abel.htm - 7k

Mezahab (2 Occurrences)
... Water of gold, the father of Matred (Genesis 36:39; 1 Chronicles 1:50), and grandfather
of Mehetabel, wife of Hadar, the last king of Edom. Int. ...
/m/mezahab.htm - 8k

Mehetabel (3 Occurrences)
...Wife of Hadad, one of the kings of Edom (Genesis 36:39). Int. ... His wife's name
was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. ...
/m/mehetabel.htm - 8k

Matred (2 Occurrences)
... MATRED. ma'-tred (maTredh, "expulsion"): The mother of Mehetabel, wife of Hadar,
one of the kings of Edom (Genesis 36:39 1 Chronicles 1:50, "Hadad"). ...
/m/matred.htm - 7k

Ma'acah (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 3:3 and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite;
and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur ...
/m/ma'acah.htm - 12k

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