“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and
be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Genesis 2:24
Marriage
Remarriage?
Definitions
Generic modern definitions:
• Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary
• Wordnet (Princeton) online dictionary
• Wikipedia online encyclopedia
Some highlights of the modern view of marriage:
 Union of individuals, whether same-sex or not
 A contract, recognized and sanctioned by law
 2nd, subsequent legal unions also called marriage
 Change of personal and social status for the married
Marriage
Definitions
Generic modern definitions:
• Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc.
Specific modern legal definitions: [application]
• South Carolina Legislature
• Legislature from other states
− As of this study, 11 states in some form accept
or legalize same-sex marriages
• U.S. constitution does not provide legislation
with regards to marriage; a state-level issue
Marriage
Definitions
Remember:
Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and legal codes
do not create word definitions; rather, they
reflect what is common usage of the day.
Therefore, if we desire to analyze a word in its
context, it helps if we understand that word’s
origins and meaning at the time it was used.
Marriage
Definitions
Generic modern definitions:
• Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc.
Specific modern legal definitions: [application]
• South Carolina and other state Legislature
Generic Bible definitions:
• Old Testament [Hebrew]
− Strong’s Exhaustive Bible Concordance
› marriage(s), married, marry(ing) = 10 Heb. words
Marriage
Definitions
Generic modern definitions:
• Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc.
Specific modern legal definitions: [application]
• South Carolina and other state Legislature
Generic Bible definitions:
• Old Testament [Hebrew]
• New Testament [Greek]
− Vine’s Expository Dict. Of New Testament Words
› marriage, marry = 7 Greek words
Marriage
Vine’s Expository Dict. Of New Testament:
“marriage” [KJV, etc.]; “wedding” [NKJV, etc.] {noun}:
(1) - gamos (16x): marriage, wedding, wedding feast;
“king who arranged a wedding” [Matt. 22:2]
“who were invited to the wedding” [Matt. 22:3]
“Come to the wedding” [Matt. 22:4 – “feast”]
“The wedding is ready” [Matt. 22:8]
“invite to the wedding” [Matt. 22:9]
“And the wedding hall was filled” [Matt. 22:10]
“a wedding garment” [Matt. 22:11-12 (2x)]
“went in with him to the wedding” [Matt. 25:10]
“he will return from the wedding” [Luke 12:36]
“invited…to a wedding feast” [Luke 14:8]
“was a wedding in Cana” [John 2:1-2 (2x)]
“Marriage is honorable among all” [Heb. 13:4]
“marriage of the Lamb has come” [Rev. 19:7]
“marriage supper of the Lamb!” [Rev. 19:9]
Vine’s Expository Dict. Of New Testament:
“to marry” {verb}:
(2) - gameo (29x): to marry; married [past tense]
*“marries a woman who is divorced” [Matt. 5:32]
“died after he had married” [Matt. 22:25]
*“divorces…and marries” [Matt 19:9 (2x); Mk 10]
“it is better not to marry” [Matt. 19:10]
“neither marry” [Matt. 22:30; Mk. 12:25]
*“Philip’s wife; for he had married her” [Mk 6:17]
*“divorces her husband and marries” [Mk 10:12]
“I have married a wife” [Luke 14:20]
*“marries her who is divorced” [Luke 16:18 (2x)]
“they married wives” [Luke 17:27]
“Now to the married I command” [1 Cor. 7:10]
“he/she who is married cares” [1 Cor. 7:33-34]
“she is at liberty to be married” [1 Cor. 7:39]
“marrying and giving in marriage” [Matt. 24:38]
Vine’s Expository Dict. Of New Testament:
“to give in marriage” {verb}:
(3) - gamisko (1x): to be given in marriage [passive]
“…nor are given in marriage” [Mk. 12:25]
“to give (out) in marriage” {verb}:
(4) - ekgamisko (4x): to be given in marriage [passive]
“…nor are given in marriage” [Matt. 22:30]
“they were given in marriage” [Luke 17:27]
“are given in marriage” [Luke 20:34]
“nor are given in marriage” [Luke 20:35]
“to give (out) in marriage” {verb}:
(5) - ekgamizo (3x): to give in marriage [active]
“marrying and giving in marriage” [Matt 24:38]
“he who gives her in marriage” [1 Cor. 7:38]
“does not give her in marriage” [1 Cor. 7:38]
Vine’s Expository Dict. Of New Testament:
“to take to wife after” {verb}:
(6) - epigambreuo (1x): to marry a dead husband’s brother
“his brother shall marry his wife” [Matt. 22:24]
“to become [another man’s]” {verb}:
(7) - ginomai (3x): to cause to be; to become; to be married
*“her husband lives, she marries” [Rom. 7:3]
“though she has married another” [Rom. 7:3]
“that you may be married to another” [Rom 7:4]
“to give in marriage” {verb}:
(8?) - gamizo (7x?): to give or be given in marriage
- is found in some manuscripts in the place of
ekgamizo, gamisko, and ekgamisko, above
Definitions
Generic modern definitions:
• Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc.
Specific modern legal definitions: [application]
• South Carolina and other state Legislature
Generic Bible definitions:
• O. T. Hebrew and N. T. Greek word meanings
Marriage
Definitions
Generic modern definitions:
• Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc.
Specific modern legal definitions: [application]
• South Carolina and other state Legislature
Some
highlights
of the biblical view of marriage:
Generic
Bible definitions:
•Union
of man and
woman;
is notmeanings
marriage
O. T. Hebrew
and
N. T. same-sex
Greek word
 A contract, “taking in”/“taking on” new role, relations
 2nd, subsequent legal unions also called marriage
Marriage
Definitions
Generic modern definitions:
• Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc.
Specific modern legal definitions: [application]
• South Carolina and other state Legislature
Generic Bible definitions:
• O. T. Hebrew and N. T. Greek word meanings
Specific Bible definitions: [application]
• Genesis 2:18-25
Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
(18) And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man
should be alone; I will make him a helper
comparable to him.
Genesis 2:18-25
(18) And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man
should be alone; I will make him a helper
comparable to him.
(19) Out of the ground the LORD God formed every
beast of the field and every bird of the air, and
brought them to Adam to see what he would call
them. And whatever Adam called each living creature,
that was its name.
Genesis 2:18-25
(18) And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man
should be alone; I will make him a helper
comparable to him.
(19) Out of the ground the LORD God formed every
beast of the field and every bird of the air, and
brought them to Adam to see what he would call
them. And whatever Adam called each living creature,
that was its name.
(20) So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of
the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam
there was not found a helper comparable to him.
Genesis 2:18-25
(21) And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on
Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and
closed up the flesh in its place.
Genesis 2:18-25
(21) And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on
Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and
closed up the flesh in its place.
(22) Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from
man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the
man.
Genesis 2:18-25
(21) And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on
Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and
closed up the flesh in its place.
(22) Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from
man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the
man.
(23) And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones and
flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because
she was taken out of Man.”
Genesis 2:18-25
(21) And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on
Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and
closed up the flesh in its place.
(22) Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from
man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the
man.
(23) And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones and
flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because
she was taken out of Man.”
(24) Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one
flesh.
Genesis 2:18-25
(21) And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on
Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and
closed up the flesh in its place.
(22) Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from
man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the
man.
(23) And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones and
flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because
she was taken out of Man.”
(24) Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one
flesh.
(25) And they were both naked, the man and his wife,
and were not ashamed.
Genesis 2:18-25
Gen. 2 is basis for all Bible teaching on marriage
• Context begins in Gen. 1:20-28:
 5th day, God made birds and marine animals [20-23]
 6th day, God made land animals and man [24-28]
− Woman not made as “afterthought” or “reaction”:
› “male and female He created them” [27]
- “man” - male and female is “Adam” [“mankind”]
› “Be fruitful and multiply” His plan from beginning
Definitions
Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
Gen. 2 is basis for all Bible teaching on marriage
• Context begins in Gen. 1:20-28: male & female
• Genesis 2:18-20 details why God made woman:
 “It is not good that man should be alone”
− Even God Himself is not alone
› “let Us make man in Our image” [1:26]
- Jesus, Holy Spirit with God [cp. 1:2; John 1:1; etc]
Definitions
Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
Gen. 2 is basis for all Bible teaching on marriage
• Context begins in Gen. 1:20-28: male & female
• Genesis 2:18-20 details why God made woman:
 “It is not good that man should be alone”
 “I will make [for] him a helper comparable to him”
− 1 Cor. 11:8-9; “woman [created] for the man”
− woman was created to help the man; work to do
− woman created comparable to man; same nature
› animals not comparable; unable to help [v. 19-20]
Definitions
Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
Gen. 2 is basis for all Bible teaching on marriage
• Context begins in Gen. 1:20-28: male & female
• Genesis 2:18-20 details why God made woman:
 “It is not good that man should be alone”
 “I will make [for] him a helper comparable to him”
− 1 Cor. 11:8-9; “woman [created] for the man”
− woman was created to help the man; work to do
− woman created comparable to man; same nature
− Holy Spirit, Jesus as “helpers” [Jn. 14:26; Heb. 13:6]
Definitions
Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
Gen. 2 is basis for all Bible teaching on marriage
• Context begins in Gen. 1:20-28: male & female
• Genesis 2:18-20 details why God made woman
• Genesis 2:21-23 details how God made woman
 “the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He
made into a woman.”
− Literally, “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh”
› Adam recognized an inseparable relationship
- to “put her away” would put away piece of self!
Definitions
Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
Gen. 2 is basis for all Bible teaching on marriage
• Context begins in Gen. 1:20-28: male & female
• Genesis 2:18-20 details why God made woman
• Genesis 2:21-23 details how God made woman
 “the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He
made into a woman.”
− Literally, “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh”
› Adam recognized an inseparable relationship
› “ish” is Heb. for male; Adam called her “ishsha”
Definitions
Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
Gen. 2 is basis for all Bible teaching on marriage
• Context begins in Gen. 1:20-28: male & female
• Genesis 2:18-20 details why God made woman
• Genesis 2:21-23 details how God made woman
• Genesis 2:24-25 details God’s plan for marriage:
 “Therefore, a man shall…and they shall…” [future]
− God’s commentary on Adam’s perception of wife
› “He who made them…said…” [Matt. 19:4-5]
› expects all others to follow pattern of 1st couple
Definitions
Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
Gen. 2 is basis for all Bible teaching on marriage
• Context begins in Gen. 1:20-28: male & female
• Genesis 2:18-20 details why God made woman
• Genesis 2:21-23 details how God made woman
• Genesis 2:24-25 details God’s plan for marriage:
 “…leave his father and mother…”
− New relationship takes priority over former family
› Does not relieve responsibility toward parents
- 1 Timothy 5:3-4, 16; etc.
Definitions
Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
Gen. 2 is basis for all Bible teaching on marriage
• Context begins in Gen. 1:20-28: male & female
• Genesis 2:18-20 details why God made woman
• Genesis 2:21-23 details how God made woman
• Genesis 2:24-25 details God’s plan for marriage:
 “…and be joined to his wife…”
− This joining is God’s doing, not just the man’s
› “what God has joined together…” [Matt. 19:6]
› emph. total commitment: “till death do us part”
Definitions
Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
Gen. 2 is basis for all Bible teaching on marriage
• Context begins in Gen. 1:20-28: male & female
• Genesis 2:18-20 details why God made woman
• Genesis 2:21-23 details how God made woman
• Genesis 2:24-25 details God’s plan for marriage:
 “…and they shall become one flesh.”
− 1st marriage, physically true; a truth for all to come
› God intends all married to be united as Adam, Eve
Definitions
Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
Gen. 2 is basis for all Bible teaching on marriage
• Context begins in Gen. 1:20-28: male & female
• Genesis 2:18-20 details why God made woman
• Genesis 2:21-23 details how God made woman
• Genesis 2:24-25 details God’s plan for marriage:
 “…and they shall become one flesh.”
− 1st marriage, physically true; a truth for all to come
− speaks also of sexual relationship [*1 Cor. 6:16, 18]
› v. 25 shows purity, holiness of 1st couple before sin
Definitions
Marriage
Genesis 2:18-25
Gen. 2 is basis for all Bible teaching on marriage
• Context begins in Gen. 1:20-28: male & female
• Genesis 2:18-20 details why God made woman
• Genesis 2:21-23 details how God made woman
• Genesis 2:24-25 details God’s plan for marriage
• Genesis 2:24 cited as specific marriage basis
 Mal. 2:15-16; Matt. 19:4-6; Mk. 10:6-9; Eph. 5:30-32;
1 Cor. 6:16-18
− clearly, God’s desire “from the beginning” till now!
Definitions
Marriage