Hypertext Webster Gateway: "marriage"

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)

Marriage
was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Gen.
2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed
by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be
framed (Matt. 19:4, 5). It is evident that monogamy was the
original law of marriage (Matt. 19:5; 1 Cor. 6:16). This law was
violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be
introduced (Gen. 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of
polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Gen. 16:1-4;
22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in
the Mosaic law and made the basis of legislation, and continued
to be practised all down through the period of Jewish histroy to
the Captivity, after which there is no instance of it on record.

It seems to have been the practice from the beginning for
fathers to select wives for their sons (Gen. 24:3; 38:6).
Sometimes also proposals were initiated by the father of the
maiden (Ex. 2:21). The brothers of the maiden were also
sometimes consulted (Gen. 24:51; 34:11), but her own consent was
not required. The young man was bound to give a price to the
father of the maiden (31:15; 34:12; Ex. 22:16, 17; 1 Sam. 18:23,
25; Ruth 4:10; Hos. 3:2) On these patriarchal customs the Mosaic
law made no change.

In the pre-Mosaic times, when the proposals were accepted and
the marriage price given, the bridegroom could come at once and
take away his bride to his own house (Gen. 24:63-67). But in
general the marriage was celebrated by a feast in the house of
the bride's parents, to which all friends were invited (29:22,
27); and on the day of the marriage the bride, concealed under a
thick veil, was conducted to her future husband's home.

Our Lord corrected many false notions then existing on the
subject of marriage (Matt. 22:23-30), and placed it as a divine
institution on the highest grounds. The apostles state clearly
and enforce the nuptial duties of husband and wife (Eph.
5:22-33; Col. 3:18, 19; 1 Pet. 3:1-7). Marriage is said to be
"honourable" (Heb. 13:4), and the prohibition of it is noted as
one of the marks of degenerate times (1 Tim. 4:3).

The marriage relation is used to represent the union between
God and his people (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 3:1-14; Hos. 2:9, 20). In
the New Testament the same figure is employed in representing
the love of Christ to his saints (Eph. 5:25-27). The Church of
the redeemed is the "Bride, the Lamb's wife" (Rev. 19:7-9).

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Marriage \Mar"riage\, n.
In b['e]zique, penuchle, and similar games at cards, the
combination of a king and queen of the same suit. If of the
trump suit, it is called a {royal marriage}.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Marriage \Mar"riage\, n. [OE. mariage, F. mariage. See {Marry},
v. t.]
1. The act of marrying, or the state of being married; legal
union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and wife;
wedlock; matrimony.

Marriage is honorable in all. --Heb. xiii.
4.

2. The marriage vow or contract. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

3. A feast made on the occasion of a marriage.

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king
which made a marriage for his son. --Matt. xxii.
2.

4. Any intimate or close union.

{Marriage brokage}.
(a) The business of bringing about marriages.
(b) The payment made or demanded for the procurement of a
marriage.

{Marriage favors}, knots of white ribbons, or bunches of
white flowers, worn at weddings.

{Marriage settlement} (Law), a settlement of property in
view, and in consideration, of marriage.

Syn: Matrimony; wedlock; wedding; nuptials.

Usage: {Marriage}, {Matrimony}, {Wedlock}. Marriage is
properly the act which unites the two parties, and
matrimony the state into which they enter. Marriage
is, however, often used for the state as well as the
act. Wedlock is the old Anglo-Saxon term for
matrimony.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

marriage
n 1: state of being husband and wife; "a long and happy
marriage"; "God bless this union" [syn: {matrimony}, {union},
{wedlock}]
2: two people who are married to each other; "his second
marriage was happier than the first"; "a married couple
without love" [syn: {married couple}, {man and wife}]
3: the act of marrying; the nuptial ceremony; "their marriage
was conducted in the chapel" [syn: {wedding}, {marriage
ceremony}]
4: a close and intimate union; "the marriage of music and
dance"; "a marriage of ideas"


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