Dowry
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Dowry in the Bible?
In ancient Hebrew society, the dowry functioned as a crucial economic component of marriage, involving the transfer of goods, money, or land from the bride's family to the groom. This practice secured the bride's financial future and established the economic basis for the new household, with the value determined by the social standing and resources of the families involved.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the dowry clarifies the economic realities of ancient Israelite family structures, revealing how marriage functioned as a strategic alliance between households rather than merely a romantic union, and highlights the legal protections afforded to women through property rights.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Dowry in this passage?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.