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betrothal

A Dictionary of the Bible | 1997 | | Copyright

betrothal The first stage, usually at a young age, of the nuptial event: Gen. describes the betrothal and marriage of Rebecca and Rachel; the women were transposed from the custody of the father to a husband—chattels at the disposal of men. And a wedding feast duly follows (Gen. 29: 22) for ‘all the men’! In the 1st cent. CE betrothal was still a transitional period but was binding and could only be terminated by a legal divorce. In Judaea sexual experience in this stage was common. According to Matt. and Luke Joseph was taken by surprise by Mary's pregnancy and he naturally suspected her of adultery, for which in theory the Deuteronomic law specified death by stoning. Joseph generously resolved on a private annulment in order to spare Mary publicity and penalties, but an angel intervened to assure Joseph that the condition was ‘by the Holy Spirit’ (Matt. 1: 20).

The modern custom of unmarried couples living together and intending future marriage has been likened to NT betrothal.

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W. R. F. BROWNING. "betrothal." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "betrothal." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-betrothal.html

W. R. F. BROWNING. "betrothal." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-betrothal.html

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betrothal

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church | 2000 | | Copyright

betrothal. A free promise of future marriage between two persons. In many countries formal betrothal before witnesses is customary, but in England the Church has ceased to exercise any authority in the matter. See also MATRIMONY.

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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "betrothal." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "betrothal." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-betrothal.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "betrothal." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-betrothal.html

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Betrothal

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Betrothal (in Judaism): see SHIDDUKHIN.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Betrothal." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Betrothal." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Betrothal.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Betrothal." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Betrothal.html

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betrothal

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

betrothal •Ethel • lethal • brothel • betrothal •Cavell, cavil, gavel, gravel, ravel, travel •Havel, larval, marvel, Marvell, rondavel •bedevil, bevel, devil, dishevel, kevel, level, revel, split-level •daredevil • she-devil • eye level •naval, navel •coeval, evil, Khedival, medieval, primeval, retrieval, shrieval, upheaval •civil, drivel, shrivel, snivel, swivel •carnival • Percival • perspectival •festival • aestival (US estival) •adjectival, arrival, deprival, genitival, imperatival, infinitival, outrival, relatival, revival, rival, substantival, survival •archival •grovel, hovel, novel •oval •approval, removal •Lovell, shovel •interval • serval • narwhal •coequal, equal, prequel, sequel •bilingual, lingual, monolingual, multilingual •rorqual • Hywel •Daniel, spaniel

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"betrothal." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"betrothal." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-betrothal.html

"betrothal." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-betrothal.html

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