Bible Dictionaries
Marriage, Marry

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

"a marriage, wedding," or "wedding feast," is used to denote (a) the ceremony and its proceedings, including the "marriage feast," John 2:1,2; of the "marriage ceremony" only, figuratively, Revelation 19:7 , as distinct from the "marriage feast" (v. 9); (b) "the marriage feast," RV in Matthew 22:2-4,9; in Matthew 22:8,10 , "wedding;" in Matthew 25:10 , RV "marriage feast;" so Luke 12:36; 14:8; in Matthew 22:11,12 , the "wedding garment" is, lit., "a garment of a wedding." In Revelation 19 , where, under the figure of a "marriage," the union of Christ, as the Lamb of God, with His heavenly bride is so described, the marriage itself takes place in heaven during the Parousia, Revelation 19:7 (the aorist or point tense indicating an accomplished fact; the bride is called "His wife"); the "marriage feast" or supper is to take place on earth, after the Second Advent, Revelation 19:9 . That Christ is spoken of as the Lamb points to His atoning sacrifice as the ground upon which the spiritual union takes place. The background of the phraseology lies in the OT description of the relation of God to Israel, e.g., Isaiah 54:4 ,ff.; Ezekiel 16:7 ,ff; Hosea 2:19; (c) "marriage" in general, including the "married" state, which is to be "had in honor," Hebrews 13:4 , RV.

Note: Among the Jews the "marriage supper" took place in the husband's house and was the great social event in the family life. Large hospitality, and resentment at the refusal of an invitation, are indicated in Matthew 22:1-14 . The "marriage" in Cana exhibits the way in which a "marriage feast" was conducted in humbler homes. Special honor attached to the male friends of the bridegroom, "the sons of the bridechamber," Matthew 9:15 , RV (see BRIDECHAMBER). At the close the parents conducted the bride to the nuptial chamber (cp. Judges 15:1 )

"to marry" (akin to A), is used (a) of "the man," Matthew 5:32; 19:9,10; 22:25 (RV; AV, "married a wife"); Matthew 22:30; 24:38; Mark 6:17; 10:11; 12:25; Luke 14:20; 16:18; 17:27 , RV, "married" (AV, "married wives"); Luke 20:34,35; 1 Corinthians 7:28 (1st part); 1 Corinthians 7:33; (b) of "the woman," in the Active Voice, Mark 10:12; 1 Corinthians 7:28 (last part); 1 Corinthians 7:34; 1 Timothy 5:11,14; in the Passive Voice, 1 Corinthians 7:39; (c) of "both sexes," 1 Corinthians 7:9,10,36; 1 Timothy 4:3 .

"to give in marriage," is used in the Passive Voice in Matthew 22:30 (2nd clause), some mss. have No. 5 here; Mark 12:25 (No. 3 in some mss.); Luke 17:27 (No. 5 in some mss.); 20:35 (last word), Passive (Nos. 3 and 4 in some mss.); in the Active Voice Matthew 24:38 (Nos. 3 and 5 in some mss.); further, of giving a daughter in "marriage," 1Cor. on the whole, may be taken as the meaning. In this part of the Epistle, the Apostle was answering a number of questions on matters about which the church at Corinth had written to him, and in this particular matter the formal transition from "marriage" in general to the subject of giving a daughter in "marriage," is simple. Eastern customs naturally would involve the inclusion of the latter in the inquiry and the reply.

an alternative for No. 2, Luke 20:34 (some mss. have No. 4); in some mss. in Mark 12:25; Luke 20:35 .

"to give out in marriage" (ek, "out," and No. 3): see Nos. 2 and 3.

an alternative for No. 4: see Nos. 2 and 3.

"to take to wife after" (epi, "upon," gambros, "a connection by marriage"), signifies "to marry" (of a deceased husband's next of kin, Matthew 22:24 ). Cp. Genesis 38:8 .

Note: In Romans 7:3 (twice) and Romans 7:4 , AV, ginomai, "to become" (here, "to become another man's"), is translated "be married" (RV, "be joined").