Formy zawierania małżeństwa w Starym Testamencie

Abstract

Most marriages in Israeli were a culmination of the parents’ agreement and a payment (Hebrew mohar) which the father of the bride received from the future husband of his daughter. Payment for the bride played an important role. By this payment, marriage was set up legally. Payment for the bride, however, was not a direct trade. The woman was not the subject of trade. Rather, she was the person that the husband should give a gift to. That was the relationship between the chosen bride and her fiance. In their messages, the prophets proclaim that marriage is a covenant between Yahweh and Israel. Marriage was and is the relationship between two partners, in which the woman retains her personality and dignity. In the light of the biblical texts, you cannot talk about marriage in Israel as the act of buying or selling.