Betrothal

How Nave’s arranged it

• Of JacobGenesis 29:18–30
• Exempts from military dutyDeuteronomy 20:7
• A quasi-marriageMatthew 1:18Luke 1:27
• FIGURATIVE
• See Marriage

The passages, in Bible order (4)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 4 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Genesis 29:18–30

   Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”

   ›Commentary on Genesis 29:18–301 voice

   “I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy daughter--A proposal of marriage is made to the father without the daughter being consulted, and the match is effected by the suitor either bestowing costly presents on the family, or by giving cattle to the value the father sets upon his daughter, or else by giving personal services for a specified period.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 29:18–30→

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2. Deuteronomy 20:7

   Has any man become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man marry her.”

   ›Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:72 voices

   “And the officers shall speak unto the people--literally, Shoterim, who are called "scribes" or "overseers" (Ex 5:6). They might be keepers of the muster-roll, or perhaps rather military heralds, whose duty it was to announce the orders of the generals (2Ch 26:11).

   “Betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? - It was customary among the Jews to contract matrimony, espouse or betroth, and for some considerable time to leave the parties in the houses of their respective parents: when the bridegroom had made proper preparations, then the bride was brought home to his house, and thus the marriage was consummated.

   Everything gathered on Deuteronomy 20:7→

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3. Matthew 1:18

   This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

   ›Commentary on Matthew 1:182 voices

   “For the one and the same Spirit of God, who proclaimed by the prophets what and of what sort the advent of the Lord should be, did by these elders give a just interpretation of what had been truly prophesied; and He did Himself, by the apostles, announce that the fulness of the times of the adoption had arrived, that the kingdom of heaven had drawn nigh, and that He was dwelling within those that believe on Him who was born Emmanuel of the Virgin.

   “Espoused to Joseph - The word μνηστευθεισης, from μνηστευω, to contract, or betroth, refers to the previous marriage agreement, in which the parties mutually bound themselves to each other; without which, no woman was ever married among the Jews. Among the Hindoos, a woman is espoused often a whole year, and even longer before the marriage takes place. Before they came together - The woman was espoused at her own, or her father’s house; and, generally, some time elapsed before she was taken home to the house of her husband: Deu 20:7; Jdg 14:7, Jdg 14:

   Everything gathered on Matthew 1:18→

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4. Luke 1:27

   to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.

   ›Commentary on Luke 1:272 voices

   “Espoused - It was customary among the Jews, for persons that married to contract before witnesses some time before. And as Christ was to be born of a pure virgin, so the wisdom of God ordered it to be of one espoused, that to prevent reproach he might have a reputed father, according to the flesh.

   “Therefore he who undertook to prove the mystery of the Incarnation in its incorrupt state, did not think it necessary to pursue at length the testimony of the Virgin Mary's virginity, lest he should be thought to be a defender rather than an assertor of the mystery. Certainly, when Joseph had made lawful the marriage he was about to contract, he sufficiently showed that the temple of the Holy Ghost, the abode of the mystery, the mother of the Lord could not have been violated.

   Everything gathered on Luke 1:27→

   Verse page →Original language →