Questions tagged [marriage]
Questions about Biblical texts discussing marriage
75
questions
5
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3answers
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Why did God bless Abraham's marriage with Sarah if she was his sister and incestuous relationships are categorically prohibited in Scripture?
Abraham married his sister:
11 Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister,...
1
vote
1answer
32 views
Is there anything positive to be learned from biblical examples of polygamy? [closed]
Is there anything positive to be learned from the examples of polygamy in the Bible? Generally they are treated merely as beacons warning us against that path, but it seems strange to have so many ...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
What are the alternatives to marriage in 1 Cor 7:9?
1 Cor 7:8-9 (NRSV)
To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am.
But if they are not practicing self-control, they should marry. For it is better to ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
The Church, and denominations. — I'm confused. — “Denominations” are not in any unison. I thought Christ wanted us to be all ONE [closed]
Christ is The Groom, the Church (that HE established in fulfillment of the old order) is the Bride. In the last 500 years there's been a substantial influx of "denominations." Why? Doesn't ...
1
vote
1answer
41 views
1 Corinthians 7:5 - Satan's Temptation and Lack of Self-Control
1 Corinthians 7:5 (ESV),
5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not ...
2
votes
3answers
148 views
Did God intend to only “Join” man to his wife - physically or spiritually?
We first learn that "YHVH Elohim" (יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֧ים) brought Ishah to Ha-Adam, and-"joined" (וְ-דָבַ֣ק) the man to his wife in Bereishit / Genesis 2:22-24. * Later during the ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Is singleness better than marriage? (Help understanding 1 Corinthians 7)
The Bible says we should only be concerned with the things of the Lord, that we should be totally devoted to worshiping him and pleasing him. Paul in 1 Corinthians 7 seems to be saying that marriage ...
0
votes
1answer
50 views
As a bride prepared for her husband - Revelation 21:2
Revelation 21:2 (ESV),
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Considering the geographical and historical context of ...
6
votes
5answers
264 views
Why does God not just permit but seemingly encourage David's polygamy in 2 Samuel 12:8?
I'm hoping you can help. I'm struggling with a verse that seemingly supports God's approval of concubinage and taking of many wives.
The context here has to do with David's lust for more women.
2 ...
3
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1answer
26 views
Can a way Christ's mission to “fulfill” the law be understood as finishing the marriage between God and Israel through his death? [closed]
Can a way Christ's mission to "fulfill" the law (Mat 5:17-18) be understood as finishing ("It is finished" John 19:30 b) the marriage between God and Israel through his death? Thus ...
3
votes
1answer
203 views
Would Matthew contradict Mark and Luke about remarriage after divorce?
The Lord Jesus describes a very straightforward and plainly understood rule in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, concerning remarriage after divorce: it is adultery(1). But in the gospel of Matthew, it is ...
1
vote
2answers
101 views
Did Paul have it backwards? Ephesians 5:33
It appears to me that Paul has it backwards. I’ve struggled to understand this verse.
Men understand respect, it comes naturally to a man yet he asks the husbands to love the wives; and wives tend ...
0
votes
1answer
128 views
Does Deuteronomy 25:5-10 supersede Leviticus 18:16, or vice versa?
Leviticus 18:16, (DRB):
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: because it is the nakedness of thy brother.
Deuteronomy 25:5-10, (DRB):
Widowhood and Marriage
5When ...
3
votes
3answers
234 views
Does Genesis 2:24 speak exclusively to male-female copulation?
This answer to another question makes a strong case that Genesis 2:24 refers to conception as the thing that makes two into "one flesh". If so, then it seems same-sex activities would not result in "...
1
vote
1answer
77 views
Rebekah's rash/brash/hasty willingness to bear curses become reality for her in Genesis 27:46
Genesis 26:34-35 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
34 When Esau was
forty years old he [ae]married Judith the daughter of Beeri the
Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite; 35 ...
2
votes
1answer
298 views
(1 Kings 21:7) is Jezebel a wife that belittles/mistreats her husband or is she a wife who encourages King Ahab, her husband?
Could someone please provide their insight on how Jezebel treats Ahab?
A specific verse that is interesting to me is 1 Kings 21:7. To elaborate, in 1 Kings 21:7, Jezebel's reaction to Ahab's ...
2
votes
1answer
122 views
In the culture of Corinth in Paul's time, what does being “engaged” mean?
1 Corinthians 7:36-38, NIV: "36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, ...
2
votes
3answers
274 views
Is the father of the raped woman in Deuteronomy 22:28-29 able to refuse marriage?
28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; 29 Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father ...
3
votes
1answer
97 views
What is significant about “only in the Lord” with regards to widows remarrying? 1 Corinthians 7:39
The verse is clearly about widows but I am most concerned with the hermeneutics of the phrase “only in the Lord”; considering Apostle Paul did not say for instance, only with another believer or ...
0
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0answers
80 views
Did King Saul cunningly calculate that Michal's arrogance & spiteful nature would be a snare to David? (1 Samuel 18:20-21) & (2 Samuel 6:16-20)
I present the following passage as evidence of Michal's arrogant and spiteful nature:
2 Samuel 6:16-20, New American Standard Bible (NASB)
16Then it happened as the ark of the Lord came into the city ...
4
votes
2answers
774 views
Does God 'forbid' marrying a divorcee?
The apostle Paul write in 1 Corinthians 7, verse 10-11 that
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the
wife depart from her husband:
But and if she depart, let her ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
1 Cor. 7:5 “προς καιρόν” = “perhaps”?
Why do some translations have a "perhaps" in 1 Cor. 7:5:
Defraud not one another, except, perhaps, by consent, for a time, that you may give yourselves to prayer; and return together again, ...
1
vote
2answers
278 views
Intimacy before marriage [closed]
Many pastors in today Christian world have strict rules for intimacy before marriage. Although I'm not against it, I prefer strong biblical references for any Christian principle that Christians ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
In light of Exodus 22:16-17, does a man who seduces a virgin become her husband ipso facto?
My question was inspired by this, which was closed for being "off-topic" yet nevertheless contained some interesting food for thought.
Consider the following passage from Exodus.
(Exodus 22:16-17, ...
2
votes
1answer
194 views
In Luke 5:33-35 does Jesus imply that the Twelve are not part of the bride of the Lamb?
Update
I have been researching this and it appears that the whole matter hangs on the definition of "the sons of the bridechamber" which is not obvious to me:
KJV Luke 5:34 And he said unto them, ...
1
vote
3answers
321 views
Can εἰ μή (ei me) be translated 'such as' instead of 'except' in Matthew 19:9?
And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.
We know, that adultery is not the only cause to divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1-4 and ...
0
votes
3answers
887 views
In Matthew 19:10 why did Jesus' disciples ask Jesus if it is better not to marry?
There is a question, to Jesus, whether a man can divorce his wife for any reason.
Shammai and Hillel are the pharisees school of thought at that time.
Hillel the liberal jew says that you can ...
3
votes
2answers
820 views
In 1 Corinthians 7:11-15 does Paul consider “separation” an alternative to divorce?
Does Paul write in 1 Corinthians 7:11-15 about divorce OR separation? The original (Greek) text seems to be here quite clear, but church' interpretation still doesn't see difference:
KJV 1Co 7:11 ...
0
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1answer
154 views
In Ephesians 5:2 and 5:25 what does Paul mean by ἑαυτὸν παρέδωκεν ὑπὲρ αὐτῆς?
Ephesians 5:2 and 5:25 are normally taken to refer to Christ dying for the Assembly ("Church"):
Westcott and Hort / [NA27 variants]
Ephesians 5:2 καὶ περιπατεῖτε ἐν ἀγάπῃ, καθὼς καὶ ὁ χριστὸς ...
3
votes
2answers
198 views
In John 4:18 is Jesus accusing the woman at the well of fornication or of adultery?
John 4:18 reports Jesus saying οὐκ ἔστιν σου ἀνήρ. Does the οὐκ govern σου or ἀνήρ? If the former, does it mean he’s a man but he’s not yours; and if the latter, does it imply he’s not a man, since ...
4
votes
3answers
386 views
Is Leviticus 21:4 about a “chief”, “husband” or a “close relative”?
The Hebrew reads,
לֹא יִטַּמָּא בַּעַל בְּעַמָּיו לְהֵחַלּוֹ
There is disagreement between the translations as to how exactly we should translate this passage. The NET and KJV translations ...
2
votes
3answers
142 views
Is δέ in Eph. 5:32 an adversative or copulative particle?
Eph. 5:32:
This is a great sacrament; but [autem / δὲ] I speak in Christ and in the church.
Some English translations say "and" instead of "but". Translating "δὲ" as "but" would seem to exclude ...
1
vote
3answers
577 views
In 1 Peter 3:7, why does Peter refer to the wives as weaker?
The thrust of 1 Peter 2:13-3:7 seems to be about living differently in existing relationships "for the Lord's sake" because we have been changed - note 2:13 "for the Lord's sake...", 3:1 "in the same ...
5
votes
4answers
789 views
The original Hebrew of Malachi 2:16
I pose a question about the original Hebrew hermeneutics of this passage. The MT of Malachi 2:16 reads:
כִּֽי־ שָׂנֵ֣א שַׁלַּ֗ח אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְכִסָּ֤ה חָמָס֙ עַל־לְבוּשׁ֔וֹ ...
8
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1answer
776 views
Is there any ambiguity in Luke 2:5 to whether Mary and Joseph were already married?
From a comparison of various translations of Luke 2:5 it seems there might be some ambiguity in this verse as to whether Mary and Joseph were married by the time they were traveling to Bethlehem. Some ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Is Matthew's reference to “eunuchs” in Matthew 19:10-12 referring to celibacy?
Matthew 19:12 seems to suggest spiritual benefit from being a eunuch such that some might be led to make themselves eunuchs (castrate themselves) for the sake of the kingdom:
BLB Matthew 19: 10His ...
11
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2answers
2k views
What does Lev 18:18 “Rival Wife” Mean?
Leviticus 18:18 (NIV):
Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.
I always wondered why it says it like this. Instead of, "do not ...
5
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6answers
2k views
In the parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25 vs 1 - 8), who is the groom coming to marry? In other words who is the bride?
Who is the bride in this passage of scripture? The virgins are just preparing the way, and the groom is present, but the bride is not mentioned.
1
vote
1answer
667 views
Did God actually divorce Israel?
This is found in Jeremiah 3:8 (NIV)
I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she ...
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3answers
3k views
Is “rape” the correct interpretation of the “עִנִּיתָֽהּ” in Deuteronomy 21:10-14?
Deuteronomy 21:10-14 (NAU)
When you go out to battle against your enemies, and the LORD your God delivers them into your hands and you take them away captive, and see among the captives a beautiful ...
0
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3answers
474 views
Does Paul allow divorced believers to remain as they are within the church in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11?
10 But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that
the wife should not leave her husband 11 (but if she does leave, she
must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her ...
-1
votes
1answer
134 views
Does the precept “Marry in the Lord” (i.e. with a believer) in 1 Corinthians 7:39 apply only to widows?
39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is
dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 7:39 (NASB)
Does the precept "Marry in ...
1
vote
1answer
236 views
Why in 1 Corinthians 7:15 Paul uses the perfect tense along the present tense?
1 Corinthians 7:15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called [a]us [b]to ...
1
vote
4answers
10k views
Marriage to a non-believer allowed in 1 Corinthians 7:12?
there is a very interesting situation I would like to clarify about being Christian and getting married to a non-believer, in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 it reads:
14 Do not be unequally yoked together ...
1
vote
1answer
612 views
Did Paul advised the Corinthians that it is better not to marry because the appointed time has grown very short? [duplicate]
Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you
that. This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown
very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as ...
3
votes
3answers
3k views
2 Corinthians 6:14 - What does “Unequally Yoked” mean?
1. Question - A Reference Request
In 2 Corinthians 6:14 - What does the phrase: "Unequally Yoked" - mean?
References to Scriptural and Literary Bases Please:
Are there any Scriptural or Literary ...
5
votes
1answer
224 views
About the Greek grammar in Matthew 19:4-5, 8
I have two questions about the Greek grammar in the divorce teachings in Matthew 19 and Mark 10.
(1) In Matthew 19:5, the phrase "and said" (καὶ εἶπεν) appears before the quotation of Genesis 2:24. ...
6
votes
7answers
1k views
In Luke 20:36 how does immortality obviate marriage?
In Luke 20:36, Jesus appears to connect the absence of marriage in the resurrection with deathlessness (as shown by the use of the Greek term "gar"), suggesting that marriage and death go together.
...
3
votes
7answers
4k views
Does Genesis 2:21-24 suggest that the woman shared Adam's breath?
In the making of Adam we are told that after Yehovah sculpted him into a statue of himself he breathed into him the breath of life and animated hime. Eve was sculpted from Adam's spare rib but there ...
13
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8answers
5k views
In Genesis 2:24, how do a husband and wife “become one flesh”?
In Gen. 2:24, it is written,
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. KJV, 1769
כד עַל־כֵּן֙ יַֽעֲזָב־אִ֔ישׁ אֶת־אָבִ֖יו ...
