Thursday, October 1, 2015

Biblical narratives and types of marriage


I did some very quick research of the types of marriages that are mentioned in the bible:
- Arranged marriage or betrothal (Ishmael in Gen. 21:21; Moses and Zipporah in Exod. 2:21; David and Michal in 1 Sam. 18:20-22; Joseph and Mary in Matt 1:18–19)
- Levirate (Deut. 25:5-10; Boaz and Ruth in Ruth 4:10; Tamar and Er and then Omar in Gen. 38:8-10; cf. Matt 22:23–33; par. Mark 12:18–27; par. Luke 20:27–40)
- Endogamous (Gen. 20:12; 24:1-9; 27:46-28:5; Num. 36:1-13; cf. Neh. 10:30; 13:3, 23–30; cf. Ezra 9:1–10:44)
- Exogamous (There are too many to cite; to list a few - Gen. 38:1-2; Judg. 14:2)
- War Prize (Deut. 21:10-13; Josh. 15:16; 1 Sam. 18:17)
- Political/Royal (David to Maacah of Geshur in 2 Sam 3:3; Solomon to Pharaoh’s daughter in 1 Kgs 9:16; Ahab to Jezebel of Phoenicia in 1 Kgs 16:31; Jehoram of Judah to Athaliah of Israel in 2 Kgs 8:26)
- Divinely-initiated prophetic sign (Hosea's marrying of Gomer to signify Israel's faithfulness Yahweh in Hosea 1:1-3)
- Ancient equivalent of the Reality TV Show The Bachelor (Esther 2:1-20)
- Metaphor (of the relationship of Christ and his Church in Eph 5:32)

Note: There may be overlaps at times, like the Gen. 24 and 28 account (arranged & endogamous). I intentionally left out Cocubinage and Polygamy as they are form a different category of marriage (number of wives as compared to how the husband and wife are married).

And dont worry, it doesnt mean that just because the bible mentions provides a type of marriage in a narrative, means that it is condoned or that we should follow likewise today.

If I could use Cocubinage and Polygamy as examples that are often interpreted wrongly... Timothy Keller would say that those who says that the bible affirm polygamy do not know how to interpret narratives.

My positive contribution would be that Solomon's numerous wives and concubines turned his heart away from Yahweh, and we can see what a terrible time Abraham, Issac and Jacob had trying to keep the peace between their multiple wives.

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