Brides in Bible times were purchased. The bride price was the amount paid to the bride’s father. Deuteronomy 24:1 speaks of a man taking a wife. The term translated “took” could be translated as “acquired.” The amount not only compensated the father for the loss of a worker in his home, but the amount was a demonstration of the value the groom placed upon her. Virgins brought more than widows or divorced women. For this reason, brides were considered possessions in Israel. She “belonged” to her husband. In fact, a Hebrew word for wife means “owned one,” while husband meant “owner” or “master” ( cf. Ex. 20:17). While this would be considered cruel by today’s standards, people outside of Israel during this time placed no value on wives. If a man wanted a woman, he simply took her to his house, consummated the marriage in his house and she became his wife. The bride price actually was a step above the norm and placed a higher value on women by purchasing her in the presence of witnesses. Afterward, she is betrothed but has not entered his house to consummate the marriage. She has entered a covenant relationship and is, therefore, married during the betrothal even though they have not had sex. If, during this time or after marriage a person other than her husband cohabits with her, he is to be punished. In addition, if the husband during the betrothal or marriage wishes to separate from her, he is required to get a letter of divorce.”
The idea of being purchased and belonging to another has a spiritual application for God’s people. First, the figure illustrates the truth of our purchase price, the blood of Christ. The price was so high that Jesus agonized over it in Gethsemene. It demonstrated His love and the value he placed upon us (cf. 1 Pet. 1:18-19, Eph. 1:14, Acts 20:28).
As a result of the price paid to purchase the called-out class of people, we are not slaves of men but unto our owner. We submit, honor, and obey him (cf. 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 7:23) In Luke 22:19-20, Jesus references the bride price at the Supper before paying it when he said of the bread and cup, “This is my body” and “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” If both the people of God and wives would accept their identity and yield to the truth that we do not belong to ourselves, they would come to know the abundant life that the Bridegroom gives. When God’s people give Christ all of us, He will lavishly give us all things. When Christ died on the cross, paying the bride price, He said: “It is finished!” (John 19:30). Several contexts could be applied in the use of this phrase. One of them, that is relevant to our topic is that the Hebrew word for “finish” or “complete” has the same root as the word for “bride”. Could this last saying imply that the payment has been made for His bride?