Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of being "engaged" refers to the period of betrothal or promise of marriage between a man and a woman. This period is a significant phase in biblical times, marked by a formal agreement and commitment to marry, often involving families and community witnesses.
Biblical Context and PracticesIn ancient Israel, engagement, or betrothal, was a binding agreement, more formal and serious than modern-day engagements. It was considered a legal contract, and breaking it required a formal divorce. The betrothal period allowed the couple to prepare for marriage, both materially and spiritually, and was a time of fidelity and commitment.
One of the most notable examples of betrothal in the Bible is the engagement of Mary and Joseph. In
Matthew 1:18-19 , it is written: "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly." This passage highlights the seriousness of betrothal, as Joseph is referred to as Mary's husband even before the marriage was consummated.
Cultural and Legal AspectsThe betrothal process often involved a bride price or dowry, which was a customary gift from the groom's family to the bride's family. This practice underscored the commitment and responsibility of the groom towards his future wife. The engagement period was also a time for the groom to prepare a home for the couple, demonstrating his ability to provide and care for his future family.
In
Deuteronomy 22:23-24 , the law addresses the sanctity of betrothal: "If there is a virgin pledged in marriage to a man, and another man encounters her in the city and sleeps with her, you must take both of them to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the girl because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. You must purge the evil from among you." This passage illustrates the gravity of the betrothal covenant, equating the violation of a betrothed virgin with adultery.
Spiritual SignificanceEngagement in the Bible also carries a spiritual dimension, symbolizing the relationship between God and His people. The imagery of betrothal is used to describe God's covenant with Israel and, by extension, Christ's relationship with the Church. In
Hosea 2:19-20 , God declares, "And I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD."
The New Testament continues this theme, portraying the Church as the Bride of Christ, awaiting the consummation of the marriage at His return.
Revelation 19:7 states, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready."
Moral and Ethical ImplicationsThe biblical view of engagement emphasizes purity, faithfulness, and preparation. It serves as a period for the couple to grow in their relationship with God and each other, laying a strong foundation for marriage. The engagement period is a time of anticipation and hope, reflecting the ultimate union between Christ and His Church.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Engage.
2. (a.) Occupied; employed; busy.
3. (a.) Pledged; promised; especially, having the affections pledged; promised in marriage; affianced; betrothed.
4. (a.) Greatly interested; of awakened zeal; earnest.
5. (a.) Involved; esp., involved in a hostile encounter; as, the engaged ships continued the fight.
Greek
2038. ergazomai -- to search, examine.... commit, do, labor for, minister about Middle voice from ergon; to toil (as a task,
occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be
engaged in or with, etc.
...231. halieus -- a fisherman
... fisherman. From hals; a sailor (asengaged on the salt water), ie (by implication)
a fisher -- fisher(-man). see GREEK hals. (alieis) -- 5 Occurrences....
3070. Ludia -- Lydia, a Christian woman
... Spelling: (loo-dee'-ah) Short Definition: Lydia Definition: Lydia, a lady resident
of Philippi, native of Thyatira in Lydia (Asia Minor), andengaged in the...
1690. embrimaomai -- to be moved with anger, to admonish sternly
... 1690 (from 1722 , "engaged " and , "to snort") -- properly, snort like an angry
horse; (literally) "(roar) with rage" () which expresses , ie deep feeling that...
3423. mnesteuo -- to espouse, betroth
... Word Origin from mnaomai (in the sense of to court a bride) Definition to espouse,
betroth NASB Word Usage betrothed (1),engaged (2). espouse....
1771. ennoia -- thinking, thoughtfulness, ie moral understanding
... 1771 (from 1722 , "gaged ," which intensifies 3563 , "mind") -- properly, the "engaged
mind," ie what a person (literally) has "" (, "sight"); settled (thought...
4170. polemeo -- to make war
... to battle, make war. From polemos; to be (engaged) in warfare, ie To battle (literally
or figuratively): -fight, (make) war. see GREEK polemos....
75. agonizomai -- to contend for a prize, struggle
... Cognate: 75 (from 73 , "conflict/struggle," the root of the English term, "") -
properly, to , likeengaged in an intense athletic contest or warfare (Souter...
1689. emblepo -- to look at, fig. to consider
... 1689 (from 1722 , "engaged " and 991 , "look") -- properly, stare (look) at with
a "locked-in gaze"; look at in a , way, ie with special "interest, love or...
1741. endoxos -- held in honor, glorious
... 1741 (from the prefix, 1722 , "engaged ," which intensifies 1391 ("glory, ") --
properly, "in glory," expressing the (exalted status) of something and " of...
Strong's Hebrew
781. aras -- to betroth... 780, 781. aras. 782 . to betroth. Transliteration: aras Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-ras') Short Definition:
engaged. Word Origin a prim.
...1624. garah -- to stir up (strife), engage in strife
... root Definition to stir up (strife), engage in strife NASB Word Usage contend (1),
engaged in conflict (1), mobilize (2), provoke (5), stirs (3), strive (1...
5921. al -- upon, above, over
... 1), corresponding (2), corresponding* (1), crowns (1), defiance* (1), despite (1),
due (1), duty (1), east* (7), encouragingly* (2),engaged (1), even (1...
Library
While the Emperor Theodosius isEngaged in Military Preparations...
... Book V. Chapter XII."While the Emperor Theodosius isengaged in Military
Preparations against Maximus, his Son Honorius is born....
Concerning those ConfessorsEngaged in Military Service.
... Book II. Chapter XXXIII."Concerning those Confessorsengaged in Military Service.
"Once more, with respect to those who had previously...
Against Him Alexander of MacedonEngaged in War. ...
... Book II. Chapter XVII. Against him Alexander of Macedonengaged in war.?
Against him Alexander of Macedonengaged in war. And...
The Conversion of the Gentiles was More Difficult than that of the...
... Book IV Chapter XXIV."The conversion of the Gentiles was more difficult than that
of the Jews; the labours of those apostles, therefore whoengaged in the...
But Others Treat of Higher and More Serious Themes, and Show us a...
... But others treat of higher and more serious themes, and show us a man deeply
engaged in the political and religious life of his day....
An Examination of the Question as to How it was Possible for them...
... [781] For who can fail to perceive that this solitary day might very easily have
escaped the notice of a king, whose attention wasengaged with a multitude of...
The Right to a Normal Romance, if Any
... a great hubbub about the news of a new engagement, and I'm almost certain"Dear,"
turning to her husband, "who was it that we heard wasengaged, just before...
The Life of Mr. William Guthrie.
... a sermon preached by him, he tendered the covenants, which were read; to every article
of which, with their hands lifted up to heaven, theyengaged[136] with...
By the Sea of Galilee - the Final Call of the First Disciples, and...
... But, apart from such exaggerations, so considerable was this trade that, at a later
period, one of the Patriarchs of the Sanhedrinengaged in it, and actually...
Of a Scruple Concerning a Soul's Vocation to a Religious Life. ...
... Sec. Sec. 8, 9. What motives are perfect and what unfitting; and how a soul once
engaged has then a necessary divine vocation to continue, &c....
Thesaurus
Engaged (31 Occurrences)... 5. (a.) Involved; esp., involved in a hostile encounter; as, the
engaged ships
continued the fight. Multi-Version Concordance
Engaged (31 Occurrences).
...Engage (20 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To enter into conflict; to join battle; as, the armiesengaged in a general
battle. 10. (vi) To be in gear, as two cogwheels working together. Int....
Omri (16 Occurrences)
... 1. His Accession: Omri is first mentioned as an officer in the army of Elah, which
wasengaged in the siege of the Philistine town of Gibbethon....
Work (4564 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.) To exert one's self for a purpose; to put forth effort for the attainment
of an object; to labor; to beengaged in the performance of a task, a duty...
Trader (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Oneengaged in trade or commerce; one who makes a business of buying and
selling or of barter; a merchant; a trafficker; as, a trader to the East Indies...
Titus (15 Occurrences)
... He appears to have been a Gentile, and to have been chieflyengaged in ministering
to Gentiles; for Paul sternly refused to have him circumcised, inasmuch as...
To (219938 Occurrences)
... 7. (prep.) Effect; end; consequence; as, the prince was flattered to his ruin; he
engaged in a war to his cost; violent factions exist to the prejudice of the...
Military (44 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to soldiers, to arms, or to war; belonging to,engaged
in, or appropriate to, the affairs Of war; as, a military parade; military...
Busy (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.)Engaged in some business; hard at work (either habitually or only for the
time being); occupied with serious affairs; not idle nor at leisure; as, a...
Abimelech (63 Occurrences)
... Only one named Jotham escaped. He was an unprincipled, ambitious ruler,
oftenengaged in war with his own subjects. Whenengaged...
Resources
I have been living with an unbeliever for years. I recently came to faith in Christ. What should I do? | GotQuestions.orgIs it okay to have premarital sex if you know you are going to marry the person? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Stoicism? What did the Greek Stoics teach? | GotQuestions.orgEngaged: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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