Strange Wife
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Strange Wife in the Bible?
In the King James Version, the term 'strange wives' denotes non-Israelite women married by Israelite men, an act viewed as a violation of divine law that necessitated the dissolution of these unions.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this concept illuminates the rigorous enforcement of ethnic and religious boundaries during the post-exilic period, revealing why Ezra and Nehemiah mandated the repudiation of foreign marriages to preserve the community's covenantal identity.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Strange Wife. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Strange Wife in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Strange Wife clarify?
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Strange Wife." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/strange-wife/