Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5736 singleness

5736 singleness

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5736 singleness

Not being married; the state prior to betrothal or following separation or the death of a spouse. In Scripture, an unmarried woman generally lives with, and is the responsibility of, her family. Whilst the unmarried are freer of worldly concerns and may devote themselves more fully to God, those already married should not separate, and those without the gift of celibacy should not remain single.

Responsibility for an unmarried woman

An unmarried woman is responsible to her father

Deuteronomy 22:16 See also Exodus 2:21; Numbers 30:3-5; Judges 1:12-13; 1 Samuel 18:17,21

An unmarried woman is dependent on her brothers

Leviticus 21:3 See also Genesis 24:51; Genesis 34:14-15; Ezekiel 44:25

Widowed or divorced women could return to their parents' home

Ruth 1:8-13 See also Genesis 38:11; Leviticus 22:13; Judges 19:2

Regulations relating to the unmarried

Deuteronomy 20:7; Deuteronomy 22:20-21,28-29

The unwelcome prospect of remaining unmarried

Judges 11:37-39; Isaiah 54:6 See also Genesis 19:31-32; Isaiah 49:20-21; Isaiah 62:4; Hosea 2:2; Galatians 4:27; Isaiah 54:1

Celibacy