The dowry system has been practiced for centuries in many cultures around the world. In ancient times, a dowry was given by the bride’s family to the groom upon marriage. The dowry served several purposes, both practical and symbolic. Here is an in-depth look at the biblical origins and purpose of the dowry based on Genesis 31:15 and other relevant scriptures.
Definition of Dowry
A dowry refers to money, goods, or property given by the bride’s family to the groom or his family at the time of marriage. It was considered an essential part of the marriage process. The payment of a dowry was meant to provide the new couple with their start in life. It also aimed to ensure the bride was cared for by her husband and in-laws (Exodus 22:16-17).
The Dowry in Genesis 31:15
Genesis 31 provides the account of Jacob leaving the household of Laban, his father-in-law, to return to his homeland. Before he departed, Rachel and Leah, Jacob’s wives who were Laban’s daughters, complained that their father had sold them off like foreigners and “devoured” their dowry (Gen 31:14-15). This reveals that giving a dowry at marriage was already an established custom by biblical times. Though not stated directly here, dowries likely served the same purposes then as in later eras.
Purposes of a Dowry
1. Financial provision for the bride
A major function of the dowry was to provide financially for the bride as she entered marriage. Women often did not inherit land or possessions in ancient patriarchal societies. So the dowry offered her some security and capital in her new household. It was considered her property to use as she pleased. The dowry remained under the bride’s control throughout the marriage and was intended to support her financially in widowhood or divorce (2 Kings 8:1-6).
2. Compensation to the bride’s family
Giving a daughter in marriage meant the loss of her labor and productivity to another family. The dowry served as compensation to the bride’s family for this loss. It also provided funds to help marry off younger daughters. Losing a dowry could have major economic impacts, which is why Rachel and Leah were so angry their father Laban had “devoured” their dowry (Gen 31:14-15).
3. Demonstration of the groom’s commitment
The groom paying a dowry showed his ability to provide for his bride. It also demonstrated the seriousness of his marital commitment to her family. A substantial dowry proved the groom was willing and able to support his wife financially.
4. Symbol of the covenant relationship
A dowry sealed the covenant entered into by the bride, groom, and their families. The exchange of economic goods reflected the persons being exchanged in marriage. So the giving of the dowry symbolized the establishing of binding relational commitments between the couple and their relatives.
5. Protection of the bride’s marital rights
The dowry ensured the bride was honored and treated well in her marriage. The groom and his family were obligated to provide for her needs in return for receiving a dowry. She had legal recourse if her rights were violated. Returning part or all of the dowry served as punishment to the husband for mistreating or abandoning his wife (Exodus 21:10-11).
Amount and Timing of Dowry Payments
The value of dowries varied greatly, depending on the economic status of the families involved. Poor families gave what they could afford or contributed through service (Genesis 29:15-30). Large dowries were a sign of prestige and status (Genesis 24:53). Payments were typically made in installments over the course of the engagement and in the months after the wedding. Sometimes a dowry was continued to be paid years into a marriage (Genesis 34:12).
Dowry Practices in the Law of Moses
The Law given to Moses contains regulations dealing with dowries and the rights of brides and grooms. Here are some examples:
– If a man seduced an unengaged virgin, he had to pay a dowry and marry the girl (Exodus 22:16-17). This ensured her security.
– A man could not arbitrarily divorce his wife. He had to provide ongoing maintenance for her or fully return her dowry (Exodus 21:10-11). This prevented rash divorce.
– If a widow’s husband died childless, she was to marry her brother-in-law to continue the family line. The first son they bore would legally be considered the child of the deceased (Deuteronomy 25:5-6). The dead husband’s estate was to go to support the child. This provided for the widow.
– The bride price paid for a slave wife went to her father, not her owner (Exodus 21:7-11). This gave families incentive to redeem enslaved daughters.
So the giving of a dowry was incorporated into the laws God gave to protect women’s rights and care for their needs in Israelite society.
The Dowry System in the New Testament
There are a few possible mentions of dowries continuing to be given in New Testament times:
– The Parable of the Ten Virgins assumes a delay between a marriage agreement and the groom coming to get his bride (Matthew 25:1-13). This may reflect the complex dowry arrangements typical of the culture.
– When Mary was found to be pregnant during her engagement to Joseph, he sought to quietly divorce her, possibly to return her dowry (Matthew 1:18-19). Remaining betrothed to a woman found unchaste could have financial penalties.
– Paul reminds married couples not to deprive each other sexually but to fulfill their marital duties (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). This may relate to conjugal rights that were part of dowry contracts.
So while not prominently featured, dowries likely continued as part of the Jewish marriage customs of Jesus’ day. The early church seemed to interact with this cultural institution without needing to condemn or change it outright.
Significance for Christians Today
For contemporary believers, we can gain insight into marriage and gender roles by studying ancient practices like dowries:
– Husbands should honor their covenant commitments to care sacrificially for their wives, as Christ does the church (Ephesians 5:25-30).
– Wives should be treated with dignity and kindness in marriage. Their rights and emotional wellbeing matter greatly.
– Parents should seek to protect and provide for their children, even when marrying them off.
– Just as Jesus redeemed His bride, the church, through the ultimate price, Christian husbands should highly value their wives whom God has entrusted to them.
– Marriage requires mutual self-giving. Spouses must not deprive one another sexually, emotionally or financially (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).
– Believers should avoid rash divorce and seek reconciliation. But separation is permitted in cases of repeated unrepentant marital unfaithfulness or abuse (Matthew 19:8-9, 1 Corinthians 7:15).
So while specific dowry customs are foreign to modern western marriages, biblical principles behind this institution can still instruct Christians seeking godly marriages today.
Conclusion
In summary, the giving of a dowry was a near-universal practice in biblical times. It provided for the bride, compensated her family, demonstrated the groom’s commitment, sealed the marriage covenant, and protected the woman’s marital rights. God incorporated the dowry system into the laws He gave Israel to regulate and uphold marriages. And the early New Testament church seemed to interact with this cultural institution without condemning it. So while not required today, the principles behind ancient Jewish dowry practices contain valuable insights that can guide believers seeking to honor God in their marriages.