Wives: Not to be Selected from Among the Ungodly
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In the biblical narrative, the selection of a wife is a significant decision that carries spiritual and covenantal implications. The Scriptures provide guidance on the importance of choosing a spouse who shares a commitment to the faith and the values of God's covenant community. This principle is rooted in the desire to maintain spiritual purity and fidelity to God's commands.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament provides several instances where the selection of a wife from among the ungodly led to spiritual compromise and turmoil. A key example is found in the life of Solomon. Despite his wisdom, Solomon's marriages to foreign women who worshiped other gods led him astray. 1 Kings 11:1-4 (BSB) states, "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. They were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, 'You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.' Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away."

The patriarch Abraham also emphasized this principle when he instructed his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac from among his own people, rather than from the Canaanites. Genesis 24:3-4 (BSB) records Abraham's command: "I want you to swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac."

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to uphold the importance of spiritual unity in marriage. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, advises believers to marry "only in the Lord." In 1 Corinthians 7:39 (BSB), Paul writes, "A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only in the Lord."

Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 6:14 (BSB) warns against being "unequally yoked" with unbelievers, a principle that extends to marriage: "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?"

Theological Implications

The biblical injunction against marrying the ungodly is not merely a cultural or ethnic concern but a theological one. It underscores the importance of maintaining a household that honors God and upholds His commandments. The union of marriage is seen as a reflection of the covenant relationship between Christ and the Church, as described in Ephesians 5:25-32 (BSB). Therefore, a marriage that aligns with God's will is one that fosters spiritual growth and mutual edification in the faith.

Practical Considerations

In practical terms, selecting a wife from among the godly ensures a shared foundation of beliefs, values, and life goals. It facilitates a harmonious partnership where both spouses can support each other in their spiritual journeys and in raising children in the faith. The biblical model encourages believers to seek partners who will walk alongside them in their commitment to God, ensuring that their household remains a beacon of faithfulness and devotion.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Genesis 24:3
And I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 26:34,35
And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 28:1
And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said to him, You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
... over six hundred thousands, not counting wives and children.". ... if such disaster befell
the nation selected of God ... the same fate, or worse, overtake not ourselves ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/ninth sunday after trinity carnal.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... thing as for a man to have two wives: so that ... person of all the saints both groans
now among the ungodly ... wicked, to whose evil deeds it does not consent, and ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
... I do not think I should have selected the ark as ... and preached to them; but many would
not hear him ... a flood." They called his warning "an old wives' fable," and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 36 1890/noahs faith fear obedience and.htm

Christ the Believer's Husband
Selected Sermons of George Whitefield. ... Had our friends, or even the wives of our
own bosoms, behaved to ... made perfect, and the angels in heaven, cease not day or ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the believers husband.htm

The Marriage of Cana
Selected Sermons of George Whitefield. ... against his father, that he took unto himself
wives of the ... Brethren, I would not boast; but, to my master's honor and ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the marriage of cana.htm

The Great Assize
... therefore is the most fit judge that could be selected. ... the drunkard to have a thirst,
which not even a ... were half-a-dozen broken heads, and wives and children ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the great assize.htm

The Gospel Supper
Selected Sermons of George Whitefield. ... of his wife: and sometimes, unless we forsake
wives, as well as ... Supported by this consideration, I am not ashamed to come ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the gospel supper.htm

A Corps Commander
... into a "Fishing Brigade." [Footnote: Salvationists selected to speak ... Their wives
see to the children and the meals and ... They were not forgotten by the Adjutant. ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/v a corps commander.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... before knowing or preferring the evil, had selected the good ... the statements regarding
the Saviour are not true in ... as also Isaac and Jacob, and the wives of each ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

V. ...
... For they have selected the word by which they make ... and as Moses writes, took to
themselves wives according to ... that which Moses wrote of those is not now taking ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm

Resources
Why did God allow polygamy / bigamy in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why did David need Abishag to keep him warm when he had wives and concubines? | GotQuestions.org

Does the Bible truly teach monogamy / monogamous relationships? | GotQuestions.org

Wives: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Wives

Wives of Ministers should be Exemplary

Wives: Bad: Herodias

Wives: Bad: Jezebel

Wives: Bad: Job's Wife

Wives: Bad: Michal

Wives: Bad: Samson's Wife

Wives: Bad: Sapphira

Wives: Bad: Zeresh

Wives: Duties of, to Their Husbands: To be Faithful to Them

Wives: Duties of, to Their Husbands: To be Subject to Them

Wives: Duties of, to Their Husbands: To Love Them

Wives: Duties of, to Their Husbands: To Obey Them

Wives: Duties of, to Their Husbands: To Remain With Them for Life

Wives: Duties of, to Their Husbands: To Reverence Them

Wives: Good are a Blessing to Husbands

Wives: Good are a Token of the Favour of God

Wives: Good are Benevolent to the Poor

Wives: Good are Diligent and Prudent

Wives: Good are from the Lord

Wives: Good are Praised by Husbands

Wives: Good: Abigail

Wives: Good: Bring Honor on Husbands

Wives: Good: Duty of, to Unbelieving Husbands

Wives: Good: Elizabeth

Wives: Good: Esther

Wives: Good: Orpah and Ruth

Wives: Good: Priscilla

Wives: Good: Sarah

Wives: Good: Secure Confidence of Husbands

Wives: Good: should be Silent in the Churches

Wives: Good: Wife of Manoah

Wives: Not to be Selected from Among the Ungodly

Wives: should be Adorned with a Meek and Quiet Spirit

Wives: should be Adorned with Good Works

Wives: should be Adorned with Modesty and Sobriety

Wives: should be Adorned: Not With Ornaments

Wives: should Seek Religious Instruction from Their Husbands

Related Terms

Servant-wives (4 Occurrences)

Concubines (18 Occurrences)

Adah (8 Occurrences)

Zillah (3 Occurrences)

Lamech (11 Occurrences)

Ahinoam (7 Occurrences)

Begetteth (52 Occurrences)

Infants (71 Occurrences)

Fathered (4 Occurrences)

Dearer (4 Occurrences)

Bashemath (6 Occurrences)

Ahin'o-am (7 Occurrences)

Subjection (40 Occurrences)

Married (152 Occurrences)

Jizreelitess (5 Occurrences)

Goblets (12 Occurrences)

Riseth (165 Occurrences)

Mahalath (6 Occurrences)

Basmath (7 Occurrences)

Consorts (3 Occurrences)

Ab'igail (16 Occurrences)

Maachah (19 Occurrences)

Subject (99 Occurrences)

Abigail (18 Occurrences)

Polygamy

Wife (437 Occurrences)

Widows (33 Occurrences)

Slain (235 Occurrences)

Provide (74 Occurrences)

Besides (178 Occurrences)

Foreign (65 Occurrences)

Captive (123 Occurrences)

Calamity (108 Occurrences)

Threescore (87 Occurrences)

Lain (57 Occurrences)

Loveth (88 Occurrences)

Queens (4 Occurrences)

Taking (445 Occurrences)

Ziklag (13 Occurrences)

Carmel (33 Occurrences)

Jabesh-gilead (12 Occurrences)

Looted (9 Occurrences)

Wounding (24 Occurrences)

Wagons (14 Occurrences)

Won (24 Occurrences)

Waggons (9 Occurrences)

Injuring (4 Occurrences)

Feasting (39 Occurrences)

Twenty-eight (13 Occurrences)

Rachel (42 Occurrences)

Raising (29 Occurrences)

Ruled (84 Occurrences)

Eighteen (22 Occurrences)

Elkanah (20 Occurrences)

Deportment (12 Occurrences)

Diminished (11 Occurrences)

Daylight (24 Occurrences)

Decrease (4 Occurrences)

Divorced (10 Occurrences)

Ma'acah (22 Occurrences)

Permitted (31 Occurrences)

Plunder (118 Occurrences)

Princesses (4 Occurrences)

Beeri (2 Occurrences)

Bruising (5 Occurrences)

Bani (15 Occurrences)

Beget (20 Occurrences)

Behavior (20 Occurrences)

Basemath (7 Occurrences)

Ben-hadad (27 Occurrences)

Carmelite (6 Occurrences)

Carts (13 Occurrences)

Captives (69 Occurrences)

Ammonite (22 Occurrences)

Anah (10 Occurrences)

Sixty (70 Occurrences)

Submit (36 Occurrences)

Shemariah (5 Occurrences)

Wives: Good: Wife of Manoah
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