Topical Encyclopedia
Mating, within the context of the Bible, refers to the union of a man and a woman, primarily within the institution of marriage, for the purposes of companionship, procreation, and the fulfillment of God's design for humanity. The concept of mating is deeply rooted in the creation narrative and is foundational to the understanding of family and societal structures as ordained by God.
Creation and Divine DesignThe biblical account of creation establishes the framework for mating. In
Genesis 1:27-28 , it is written, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.'" This passage underscores the divine intention for male and female to come together, highlighting procreation as a key aspect of their union.
Genesis 2:24 further elaborates on the nature of this union: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This verse emphasizes the intimate and exclusive bond between husband and wife, which is central to the biblical understanding of mating.
Marriage as the Context for MatingThroughout Scripture, marriage is presented as the appropriate context for mating. The sanctity of marriage is upheld in various passages, such as
Hebrews 13:4 , which states, "Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers." This reinforces the idea that sexual relations are to be confined within the bounds of marriage.
The Song of Solomon celebrates the beauty and joy of marital love, portraying the deep emotional and physical connection between husband and wife. This poetic book illustrates the delight and fulfillment found in a God-ordained marital relationship.
Procreation and FamilyProcreation is a significant aspect of mating, as seen in the numerous genealogies and narratives throughout the Bible that emphasize the importance of offspring. Children are viewed as a blessing from the Lord, as expressed in
Psalm 127:3 : "Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward."
The family unit, established through marriage and procreation, is central to God's plan for humanity. It serves as the primary context for nurturing and instructing children in the ways of the Lord, as outlined in
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 : "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Mating and Moral ConductThe Bible provides clear guidelines regarding sexual conduct, emphasizing purity and fidelity. Adultery and fornication are condemned, as seen in the Ten Commandments (
Exodus 20:14: "You shall not commit adultery") and in the teachings of the New Testament.
1 Corinthians 6:18 advises, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."
The call to purity is further reinforced by the apostle Paul in
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 : "For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God."
ConclusionThe biblical perspective on mating is deeply intertwined with the principles of marriage, procreation, and moral conduct. It reflects God's design for human relationships, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage and the importance of family as the foundation of society.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Mate.
Strong's Hebrew
3179. yacham -- to be hot, to conceive... 3178, 3179. yacham. 3180 . to be hot, to conceive. Transliteration: yacham
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-kham') Short Definition:
mating. Word Origin a prim.
...5927. alah -- to go up, ascend, climb
... 1), included (1), invaded (2), jump (1), lead (1), left (1), levied (3), lie (1),
lift (1), lifted (10), lighted (1), made (1), marching (1),mating (2), mount...
3123. yonah -- dove
... dove, pigeon. Probably from the same as yayin; a dove (apparently from the warmth
of theirmating) -- dove, pigeon. see HEBREW yayin. 3122, 3123. yonah. 3124...
Library
The Ethics of Elfland
... In short, the democratic faith is this: that the most terribly important things
must be left to ordinary men themselves"themating of the sexes, the rearing...
Jesus Choosing his Friends.
... Jesus yoked his apostles in twos that mutual friendship might inspire them
both. There was another reason formating the Twelve....
The Lady Miriam
... "Wherefore, I pray thee?" Hotep asked with a deprecating smile. "There is nomating
between the lion and the eagle; the stag and the asp! They could not love."....
The Teen Age Teacher
... He begins to feel themating call and at its first impression is attracted to the
other sex, with the result that by and by he also becomes a husband and...
The Life of Sir Thomas Browne.
... As easily may we be mistaken inmating our own courage, as our own humility; and,
therefore, when Browne shews himself persuaded, that "he could lose an arm...
Chapter vi
... The explanatory clause, "male and female shall they be," quite naturally
looks to themating and propagating of the various species....
Thesaurus
Mating (4 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Mate. Multi-Version Concordance
Mating (4 Occurrences). Genesis 30:41 It happened, whenever
...Leaped (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:10 It happened duringmating season that I lifted up my eyes, and saw
in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock were streaked...
Grizzled (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:10 It happened duringmating season that I lifted up my eyes, and saw
in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock were streaked...
Goats (134 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:10 It happened duringmating season that I lifted up my eyes, and saw
in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock were streaked...
Matred (2 Occurrences)
Mottled (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:10 It happened duringmating season that I lifted up my eyes, and saw
in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock were streaked...
Mathusala (1 Occurrence)
Partridge (2 Occurrences)
... large as a pheasant. It had a clear, exquisite cry that attracted attention,
especially in themating season. The partridge of the...
Cormorant (4 Occurrences)
... The adult birds are glossy black with bronze tints, touched with white on the cheeks
and sides as a festal dress atmating season, and adorned with filamentary...
Speckled (9 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:10 It happened duringmating season that I lifted up my eyes, and saw
in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock were streaked...
Resources
Did Jacob placing branches in front of his flock really result in the offspring being speckled and spotted? | GotQuestions.orgAre the Anunnaki in the Epic of Gilgamesh the Nephilim mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow does the fact that there are gay/homosexual animals impact the idea that homosexuality is a sin? | GotQuestions.orgMating: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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