Marriage Realized Among

the Chosen People

Marriage Realized Among

the Chosen People
Genesis 29: 21-30
Women = subordinated with men
= role are determined by men
Marriage = linked to succession of
generation; form tribe; continuity
Sexuality= as means couples are to
involve in creative and historical
plan of God through reproduction
Procreation = held in great esteem

Marriage Realized Among

the Chosen People
Genesis:
Polygamy is allowed: Gen. 29: 21-30
Divorce = only on the initiative of the
husband (Dt. 24:1-2)
Barrenness = disgrace (Gen. 30:2)
Concubinage = tolerated as substitute
for barren wife

Marriage Realized Among

the Chosen People
Genesis:
Rise of Levirate law
= Obligation of brother of deceased
husband to take his wife, son or
daughter
If a brother refuses (Onan)
= Rejects to fulfill the law; preventing
conception of male
= Considered as stealing his brothers
inheritance (Dt. 25:5-10)

Marriage Realized Among

the Chosen People
Prophetic Vision of Marriage
Hosea: 1st to envision relation between
husband and wife = Covenant
Comparing marriage as covenant between
God and Israel: Yahwehs love His people
Special relationship / Deepened Israels
understanding of marriage (Jer. 3:14; Ezek.
16:18; Is. 54:5-8)
Essential element of relationship
expected to pervade between husband
and wife = Faithful love of God
Covenant fidelity = steadfast, forgiving
love, strength of duty and kindness.

Marriage Realized Among

the Chosen People
Hebrew Bible: OT
Richer perception / concretization of
marriage found: Ruth and Tobit
elevated sense of marriage
witness to fidelity and tenderness of
spouses
life of integrity and fidelity
Tobit 8:5-8
A spiritual picture of a couple
living before God in prayer, fidelity
dedicated to lifelong and Godly
marriage

Marriage Realized Among

the Chosen People
Tension in spite of the significance of
marriage by the prophets - which should
take precedence?
- Patriarchal genealogical emphasis:
Descendancy is above Love
Genealogical (family line is important)

- Prophetic messianic emphasis:

Love took preeminence than serving
the specie
Demands monogamy

Marriage Realized Among

the Chosen People
Tension in the significance of marriage
- In reality: despite valuing relationship
Pregnancy / child-bearing is supreme
Source of dignity of conjugal union
- Jewish people:
Pregnancy and birth is paramount
Children as blessings / favor from God
Procreation in the context of the
covenant assured = continuity of the
Jewish community as chosen people of
God.

End of Lesson