Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5681 family, nature of

5681 family, nature of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5680 family » 5681 family, nature of

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.

The scope of the family in Scripture

The family unit

Genesis 43:7 See also Exodus 1:1; Exodus 12:3; Judges 11:2; 1 Samuel 1:21; Samuel 27:3; 2 Samuel 2:3; 1 Kings 17:15; 1 Chronicles 13:14 The family of Obed-Edom is blessed by the presence of the ark; Proverbs 27:27; Proverbs 31:15 The wife of noble character provides for her family; Mark 3:21; Luke 12:52; Acts 16:33-34 The Philippian jailer and his family are baptised; 1 Timothy 5:8

The extended family or clan

Genesis 24:37-38 See also Genesis 24:40; Genesis 46:27; Genesis 50:22; Numbers 2:2; Numbers 18:1 the priesthood of Aaron and his family; Deuteronomy 25:5 Levirate marriage provides for the continuity of the family; Joshua 2:17-18; Joshua 6:23,25; 1 Samuel 22:22; 1 Kings 14:14; 2 Kings 11:1 pp 2 Chronicles 22:10 Athaliah destroys the royal family of Judah; Ezra 10:16; Jeremiah 35:3; Jeremiah 38:17; Daniel 1:3

The descendants of any individual

The people of God

Hebrews 2:10-15 See also Psalm 22:22; Amos 3:1; Galatians 6:10; 1 Peter 4:17

Marriage obligations and restrictions within the family

Marriage within the wider family circle was preferable in early times

Judges 14:3 See also Genesis 24:1-9,37,40; Genesis 27:46-28:2,6-9; Exodus 2:1

Incestuous marriage was forbidden

Leviticus 18:6-18 See also Leviticus 20:17,19-21; Deuteronomy 27:20-23; Matthew 14:3 pp Mark 6:17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5

The obligation to marry the widow of a dead brother

Deuteronomy 25:5-10 See also Genesis 38:8-10; Ruth 2:19-20; Ruth 4:1-10; Matthew 22:23-32 pp Mark 12:18-27 pp Luke 20:27-38

Laws of inheritance kept property within the family

Numbers 27:1-11 See also Leviticus 25:25-28; Job 42:13-15

Examples of family solidarity

Genesis 14:8-16 Abraham and Lot; 2 Samuel 18:31-33 David and Absalom; Ruth 1:11-18 Naomi and Ruth; Nehemiah 4:13; Acts 23:12-24; 1 Timothy 5:3-4 Family solidarity is encouraged.