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

John 7:42 See also Deuteronomy 25:10; Joshua 13:29; 1 Samuel 2:31-32,36; Samuel 3:11-13; Daniel 11:7

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.

See also

2535  Christ, family of
5671  clan
5688  firstborn
5701  heir
5703  inheritance
5708  marriage
5717  monogamy
5732  polygamy
5736  singleness
6608  adoption
7140  people of God
7388  kinsman-redeemer



Top of Page
Top of Page




Bible Apps.com