Dictionary of Bible Themes A unit ordained by God for the comfort and protection of its members. It is usually a group of relatives, but the people of God are also seen as a family. Genesis 43:7The scope of the family in Scripture See also The family unit Exodus 1:1; 12:3Judges 11:2 1 Samuel 1:21; 27:3 2 Samuel 2:3 1 Kings 17:15 1 Chronicles 13:14 Proverbs 27:27; 31:15 The family of Obed-Edom is blessed by the presence of the ark Mark 3:21Luke 12:52 The wife of noble character provides for her family Acts 16:33-341 Timothy 5:8 The Philippian jailer and his family are baptised Genesis 24:37-38See also The extended family or clan Genesis 24:40; 46:27; 50:22Numbers 2:2; 18:1 Deuteronomy 25:5 the priesthood of Aaron and his family Joshua 2:17-18; 6:23,251 Samuel 22:22 Levirate marriage provides for the continuity of the family 1 Kings 14:142 Kings 11:1 Ezra 10:16 pp 2Ch 22:10 Jeremiah 35:3; 38:17Athaliah destroys the royal family of Judah Daniel 1:3John 7:42 See also The descendants of any individual Deuteronomy 25:10Joshua 13:29 1 Samuel 2:31-32,36; 3:11-13 Daniel 11:7 Hebrews 2:10-15 See also The people of God Psalms 22:22Amos 3:1 Galatians 6:10 1 Peter 4:17 Judges 14:3 Marriage obligations and restrictions within the family See also Marriage within the wider family circle was preferable in early times Genesis 24:1-9,37,40; 27:46-28:2,6-9Exodus 2:1 Leviticus 18:6-18 See also Incestuous marriage was forbidden Leviticus 20:17,19-21Deuteronomy 27:20-23 Matthew 14:3 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 pp Mk 6:17 Deuteronomy 25:5-10See also The obligation to marry the widow of a dead brother Genesis 38:8-10Ruth 2:19-20; 4:1-10 Matthew 22:23-32 pp Mk 12:18-27 pp Lk 20:27-38 Numbers 27:1-11Laws of inheritance kept property within the family See also Leviticus 25:25-28Job 42:13-15 Genesis 14:8-16 Examples of family solidarity 2 Samuel 18:31-33Abraham and Lot Ruth 1:11-18David and Absalom Nehemiah 4:13Acts 23:12-24 Naomi and Ruth 1 Timothy 5:3-4See also Family solidarity is encouraged. 2540 Christ, genealogy5672 concubines 5688 firstborn 5701 heir 5703 inheritance 5708 marriage 5717 monogamy 5732 polygamy 5736 singleness 6608 adoption 7140 people of God 7388 kinsman-redeemer |
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