Marriage and Family in the Biblical World

The six essays in this book discuss marriage and family issues in the ancient Near East (Victor Hamilton), ancient Israel (Daniel Block), ancient Greek society (S. M. Baugh), Roman society (Susan Treggiari), second-temple Judaism (David Chapman), and the New Testament (Andreas Köstenberger).

Betrothal, dowry, marriage rites, children, parenting, adoption, divorce, remarriage, widowhood, adultery, polygamy, sexual ethics, gender roles, homosexuality, singleness—customs pertaining to these topics are traced in each of the six cultures. Knowing these practices sheds light on what the Bible says about marriage and remarriage, key issues in Western culture today.

The editor of this volume was formerly associate professor of biblical studies at Belhausen College, Jackson, Mississippi.