The Origin and Significance of Marriage as Per the Bible

Marriage, as understood in Christianity, is deeply rooted in the teachings found in the Bible. Its establishment and significance are detailed in the early chapters of the book of Genesis, reflecting a divine purpose and sanctity. This article explores the biblical origins and core principles of marriage.

The Genesis Creation Story and the Foundation of Marriage

The foundation of marriage is often traced back to the first humans, Adam and Eve, as described in the book of Genesis. According to Genesis 1:27-28, ‘So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”’

This verse indicates that one of the primary purposes of marriage from the very beginning was the propagation of the human race. Later, in Genesis 2:21-25, we find a more detailed account of the creation of Eve and the beginning of a marital union:

‘Then the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. And the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.’

Adam’s response to seeing Eve for the first time is found in Genesis 2:23: ‘This will be called woman, because she was taken out of man.’

The Quotations from the New Testament and the Divine Institution of Marriage

Further insights into the sanctity of marriage can be found in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 19, verses 3-6:

‘The Pharisees also came to him, testing him and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?’ Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”’

These verses underscore the fundamental unity and indivisibility of a marriage, established by God Himself at the beginning of creation. The phrase ‘one flesh’ is particularly significant because it denotes the close, physical and emotional union that is at the heart of marriage.

The Equality and Unity in Marriage

The Bible emphasizes the unity and equality inherent in marital relationships. Genesis 2:24 is perhaps the most famous passage illustrating this idea: ‘Therefore a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.’

This passage is not only a declaration of the physical union but also a call for the deeper, spiritual unity that follows. The unity that marriage brings about is likened to that of a man and a woman becoming ‘one flesh’—a powerful symbol of mutual dependence and existence. Furthermore, the Bible emphasizes the importance of standing by one’s spouse, as stated in Matthew 19:6: ‘Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’

Conclusion

The origins of marriage as described in the Bible are grounded in the creation stories of Genesis. The Bible portrays marriage as a sacred union ordained by God, intended to promote unity, equality, and the perpetuation of the human race. The verses from both the Old and New Testaments reaffirm that marriage is not just a legal or social contract but a divine institution that reflects God’s love and purpose for humanity.