Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of a couple is primarily understood through the lens of marriage, a divinely instituted union between a man and a woman. This union is foundational to the biblical narrative and is first introduced in the creation account in Genesis.
Creation and PurposeThe institution of marriage is established in
Genesis 2:18-24. God declares, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him" (
Genesis 2:18). God creates Eve from Adam's rib, signifying the intimate and equal partnership intended for a couple. Adam's response, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh" (
Genesis 2:23), underscores the unity and closeness of the marital relationship. The passage concludes with the principle that "a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (
Genesis 2:24), establishing the basis for the marital bond.
Roles and ResponsibilitiesThe Bible outlines distinct roles and responsibilities for husbands and wives within the marriage relationship.
Ephesians 5:22-33 provides a detailed description of these roles, emphasizing mutual love and respect. Wives are instructed to submit to their husbands "as to the Lord" (
Ephesians 5:22), while husbands are called to love their wives "just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (
Ephesians 5:25). This passage highlights the sacrificial nature of love and the importance of nurturing and cherishing one another.
Marriage as a CovenantMarriage is portrayed as a covenantal relationship, reflecting God's covenant with His people.
Malachi 2:14-16 speaks against unfaithfulness in marriage, describing the wife as "your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant" (
Malachi 2:14). The covenantal aspect underscores the seriousness and permanence of the marital bond, which is intended to be a lifelong commitment.
Challenges and RedemptionThe Bible acknowledges the challenges couples may face, including conflict and unfaithfulness. However, it also offers guidance for reconciliation and redemption. In
Matthew 19:3-9, Jesus addresses the issue of divorce, affirming the sanctity of marriage and God's original design for it to be indissoluble. He states, "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (
Matthew 19:6).
Symbolism and Spiritual SignificanceThe relationship between a husband and wife is often used as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the Church. This is vividly illustrated in
Ephesians 5:31-32, where Paul writes, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church" . This analogy elevates the marital relationship to a spiritual level, emphasizing its significance in God's redemptive plan.
ConclusionThe biblical portrayal of a couple is deeply rooted in the principles of love, unity, and covenant. Through the lens of Scripture, marriage is not only a personal relationship but also a reflection of divine truths and a testament to God's design for human relationships.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) That which joins or links two things together; a bond or tie; a coupler.
2. (a.) Two of the same kind connected or considered together; a pair; a brace.
3. (n.) A male and female associated together; esp., a man and woman who are married or betrothed.
4. (a.) See Couple-close.
5. (a.) One of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a voltaic battery; -- called a voltaic couple or galvanic couple.
6. (a.) Two rotations, movements, etc., which are equal in amount but opposite in direction, and acting along parallel lines or around parallel axes.
7. (v.) To link or tie, as one thing to another; to connect or fasten together; to join.
8. (v.) To join in wedlock; to marry.
9. (v. i.) To come together as male and female; to copulate.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
COUPLEkup'-l:
(1) Used as a noun, indicates two objects of the same kind that are considered together. Thus we read of a couple of cakes (2 Samuel 13:6, used loosely), and a couple of asses (2 Samuel 16:1, Hebrew tsemedh).
(2) Used as a verb, it means to join or fasten one thing to another. This term occurs most frequently in the description of the tabernacle (seeExodus 26:6, 9, 11;Exodus 36:10, 13, 16). Couple is used in1 Peter 3:2 to describe the joining of fear to chaste behavior (Hebrew chabhar).
Greek
2201. zeugos -- a pair, a yoke... yoke, pair. From the same as zugos; a
couple, ie A team (of oxen yoked together)
or brace (of birds tied together) -- yoke, pair. see GREEK zugos.
...Strong's Hebrew
6776. tsemed -- acouple, pair... tsemed. 6777 . a
couple, pair. Transliteration: tsemed Phonetic Spelling:
(tseh'-med) Short Definition: pair.
... acre,
couple, together, two donkeys, yoke of
...8147. shenayim -- two (a cardinal number)
... 42,000* (1), 52* (2), 52,700* (1), 62* (1), 62,700* (2), 642* (2), 652* (2), 72*
(1), 72,000* (1), 822* (1), 832* (1), both (62), both* (7),couple (2), double...
2266. chabar -- to unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell...
... compact,couple together, have fellowship with, heap up, join self, together,
league. A primitive root; to join (literally or figuratively...
Library
Priscilla and Aquila
... It has struck me that this weddedcouple present, even in the scanty notices that
we have of them, some interesting points which may be worth while gathering...
The Right to Live with the People of My Choice
... A young marriedcouple will probably have to live with an oldercouple for
the first two or three years on the field. Owing perhaps...
The Right to a Normal Home Life
... which they did. Shall we take a look at the sort of thing a young married
couple on the mission field has to face? We will call...
An Eloquent Catalogue
... So, then, I think, the fair inference from the list before us is that we have here
the original nucleus again, the first five, with acouple more, and the...
In the House of Kimberker
... their own way in the matter. So in a few days they moved in, and fitted up
acouple of the vacant rooms. Stanislaus was to live more...
Temptations.
... She blushes when mention is made of her preference for him. Thecouple seek to be
together as much as possible, and are soon meeting together secretly....
The Right to Privacy
... Mr. and Mrs. Sprightly, the young marriedcouple who were in charge of the
mission station, and I were relaxing around the tea table....
The Old Gravestone
... the room. "To be sure, they were among the last that were buried in the
old convent churchyard"the grand oldcouple! Everybody...
The Deity of the Holy Spirit.
... IV. The name of the Holy Spirit is coupled with that of God in a way it would be
impossible for a reverent and thoughtful mind tocouple the name of any finite...
The Purification of Mary
... These contained fruit. The third was of open wickerwork and acouple of doves could
be seen in it.... The oldcouple were Essenes and related to Joanna Chuza....
Thesaurus
Couple (19 Occurrences)... 4. (a.) See
Couple-close. 5. (a.) One of the pairs of plates of two metals which
compose a voltaic battery; -- called a voltaic
couple or galvanic
couple.
...Pair (18 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Two of a sort; a span; a yoke; acouple; a brace; as, a pair of horses;
a pair of oxen. 4. (n.) A marriedcouple; a man and wife....
Unit (7 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Exodus 26:6 You shall make fifty clasps of gold, andcouple the curtains
one to another with the clasps: and the tabernacle shall be a unit....
Fasten (28 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Exodus 26:6 You shall make fifty clasps of gold, andcouple the curtains
one to another with the clasps: and the tabernacle shall be a unit....
Taches (7 Occurrences)
... Taches (7 Occurrences). Exodus 26:6 And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and
couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle....
Buttons (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:6 And thou shalt make fifty buttons of gold, andcouple the curtains together
with the buttons: and it shall be one tabernacle. (WBS)....
Coupled (9 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) ofCouple.... (KJV DBY WBS). Exodus 39:4 They made shoulderpieces for it,
tocouple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together. (KJV WBS)....
Clasps (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:6 You shall make fifty clasps of gold, andcouple the curtains one
to another with the clasps: and the tabernacle shall be a unit....
Fifty (131 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:6 You shall make fifty clasps of gold, andcouple the curtains one
to another with the clasps: and the tabernacle shall be a unit....
Donkeys (71 Occurrences)
... Judges 19:3 Her husband arose, and went after her, to speak kindly to her, to bring
her again, having his servant with him, and acouple of donkeys: and she...
Resources
Is it wrong for a married couple to have sex just for pleasure? | GotQuestions.orgHow often should a married couple have sex? | GotQuestions.orgIf an unmarried couple has sex, are they married in God's eyes? | GotQuestions.orgCouple: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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