The Covenant of
Marriage
Malachi 2:14
Genesis 2:24
Ancient Near Eastern Covenants
Their Importance
 The covenant was more than a binding
agreement. It was the most fundamental
expression of the relationship that existed
between two parties.
 The covenant was considered the most
sacred of vows, and one’s commitment to
the covenant was the highest form of
personal integrity.
 Love and loyalty were the most
prominent themes of Near Eastern
covenants.
Divine Covenants
 The covenant format was so important that
God used it to describe every divine
relationship.
• His covenant with all flesh (Genesis 9)
• His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12; 15;
17; 22)
• His covenant with Israel (Exodus 19-24)
• His covenant with David (2 Samuel 7)
• His covenant with restored Israel (Jeremiah 31)
Suzerain-Vassal Covenants
Their Structure
 In every divine covenant, God occupies
the role of Suzerain
• He is the initiator of the covenant
blessings
• He is the maintainer of the covenant
blessings
• He is the provider of the covenant
blessings
• He is the protector of the covenant party
• He is the benefactor
Suzerain-Vassal Covenants
Their Structure
 In every divine covenant, there is a
correspondingly different role of Vassal
• The vassal serves the covenant suzerain
• The vassal receives the covenant and its
blessings from the suzerain
• The vassal displays gratitude to the
suzerain
• The vassal acknowledges dependence
upon the suzerain
• The vassal is the beneficiary
Suzerain-Vassal Covenants
Their Language
The
Suzerain:
• Knows
• Loves
• Blesses
• Provides
• Supports
• Protects
• Cares for
• Leads
• Gives refuge
• Bestows honor
Suzerain-Vassal Covenants
Their Language
The Vassal:
• Loves
• Respects
• Fears
• Obeys
• Serves
• Thanks
• Submits
When God Instituted Marriage
He Used Covenant Language
Genesis 2:24
“Therefore shall a man leave his
father and his mother, and shall
cleave unto his wife: and they
shall be one flesh.”
When God Instituted Marriage
He Used Covenant Language
LEAVE: The covenant language of
the Hebrew word ‘azab “leave,
forsake, abandon” is a key term in
suzerain-vassal treaties. It refers to
the breaking of an existing covenant.
Deut. 31:16-17
Josh. 24:16, 20
1 Kings 19:10, 14
Judges 2:12; 10:6, 10
When God Instituted Marriage
He Used Covenant Language
CLEAVE: The covenantal language
of the Hebrew word dabaq “cleave,
join” is a key term in suzerain-vassal
treaties. It refers to the establishment
of a new covenant relationship.
Deut. 30:19-20 ( “cleaving” = “loving”)
Deut. 10:20; 11:22-23
Joshua 23:8-13
Exodus 34:14-16 (“play the harlot”)
The Marriage Covenant
The marriage covenant became
a covenant model throughout the
OT
Malachi 2:14
Proverbs 2:16-17
Ezekiel 16:8
Isaiah 50:1
The Marriage Covenant
Matthew 19:3-12
 On the question of divorce, Jesus returns
to the beginning, to God’s creation of
male and female and His establishment
of the marriage covenant.
 Divorce is forbidden, because it is a
sacred covenant not only between the
man and the woman, but also God (“God
has joined”).
 Marital faithfulness, in its fullest sense, is
the highest expression of personal
integrity.
The Marriage Covenant
Ephesians 5:22-33
 Covenant obligations for both the
husband and Christ:
• to be the head
• to deliver, save his wife
• to love
• to sacrifice even to the point of
•
•
•
•
death
to glorify by sanctifying, cleansing,
removing spots and winkles
to nourish
to cherish
to leave and cleave, to be one
The Marriage Covenant
Ephesians 5:22-33
 Covenant obligations for both the
wife and the church:
• to submit
• to be one
• to fear, respect her husband
The Marriage Covenant
1 Peter 3:1-7
 Covenant obligations for the
wife:
• to be submissive
• to influence by example, not
nagging
• to be chaste and respectful
• to display a gentle and quiet spirit
• to obey their “lord”
The Marriage Covenant
1 Peter 3:1-7
 Covenant obligations for the
husband:
• to live with his wife “according to
knowledge” as “the weaker vessel”
• “know” is a common suzerain-vassal term
that describes the recognition and
fulfillment of one’s covenant obligations
(Exodus 1:8; 2:24-25;
Amos 3:1-2)
• “know” came to be used of one of the most
intimate of covenant obligations, the
sexual relationship (Genesis 4:2; Matthew
1:25)
The Marriage Covenant
1 Peter 3:1-7
 Covenant obligations for the
husband:
• to live with his wife “according to
knowledge” as “the weaker vessel”
• to show honor to his wife as a fellow heir
• Just as the Lord is the bestower of
blessing and honor in the covenant
relationship (e.g., Ps. 3:3; 8:5), so also the
husband is to bestow honor upon his
covenant partner.
• Just as Israel was God’s cherished
possession
Conclusion
 Marriage covenant obligations were
established by God from the very
beginning and are assumed by
every individual entering into the
marriage covenant as a sacred
promise to God.
 Failure to fulfill marriage covenant
obligations results in a hindrance of
prayers and a separation of
relationship with God (1 Peter 3:7).
Will You Become A Christian?
Hear The Gospel (Rom. 10:17)
Believe in Jesus as the Son of God (John
8:24)
Repent of Your Sins (Acts 17:30)
Confess Jesus as the Son of God (Acts
8:37)
Be Baptized for Forgiveness of Sins (Acts
2:38)
Live Faithfully Until You Die (Rev. 2:10)