The Life of Jesus in Harmony | Index

betrothed

Jewish marriages came at an early age. Rabbi's held 18 suitable for men and 13 for women. A period of betrothal preceded marriages. It probably developed because of having parents pick marriage partners. The two did not usually know each other before betrothal. The betrothal usually lasted about a year.

Betrothed really meant married. A man could not renounce her except by divorce. If he died during the betrothal she was legally declared a widow. If she was unfaithful she could be punished for adultery.

THE BETROTHAL.The selection of the bride was followed by the espousal, which was not altogether like our "engagement" but was a formal proceeding, undertaken by a friend or legal representative on the part of the bridegroom and by the parents on the part of the bride. It was confirmed by oaths and accompanied with presents to the bride. These presents were described by different terms, that to the bride by "a dowry" (Heb. mohar) and that to the relatives by "a present" (Heb. mattan).

It has been supposed, indeed, that the mohar was a price paid to the father for the sale of his daughter. Such a custom undoubtedly prevails in certain parts of the East at the present day, but it does not appear to have been the case with free women in patriarchal times. It would undoubtedly be expected that the mohar should be proportioned to the position of the bride and that a poor man could not on that account afford to marry a rich wife <1 Sam. 18:23>.

A "settlement," in the modern sense of the term, that is, a written document securing property to the wife, did not come into use until the post-Babylonian period: the only instance we have of one is in Tobit 7:14, where it is described as an "instrument." The Talmudists called it a ketubah and have laid down minute directions as to the disposal of the sum secured in a treatise of the Mishna expressly on that subject.

The act of betrothal was celebrated by a feast, and among the more modern Jews it is the custom in some parts for the bridegroom to place a ring on the bride's finger. The ring was nevertheless regarded among the Hebrews as a token of fidelity (Gen 41:42) and of adoption into a family (Luke 15:22).