Wife
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Wife in the Bible?
A wife is a female spouse in a marriage covenant, functioning as a central figure in the patriarchal household structure of ancient Israelite society.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the role of a wife clarifies the legal rights, social responsibilities, and familial dynamics depicted in biblical narratives and laws.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to 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 Wife in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does 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
"Wife." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/wife/