Betrothing

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The engagement of a man and woman to marry each other at a future time. Parents anciently often betrothed their daughters without their consent, and even while very young, as is still the case in oriental countries. Sometimes a regular written contract was made, in which the bridegroom bound himself to give a certain sum as a portion to his bride. The marriage was not complete until the bride was at least twelve years old; yet the betrothal could be dissolved only by divorce or death,  Matthew 1:18-25   Luke 2:27 . God speaks of betrothing his people to himself, in bonds of tender affection, and pledging his word that all his gracious promised will be fulfilled to them,  Jeremiah 2:2   Hosea 2:19,20 . Of this, ministers are the instruments, through the preaching of the gospel,  2 Corinthians 11:2 . Hence the word Beulah .

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Betrothing. See Marriage, 1 .

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Betrothing . See Marriage.

Webster's Dictionary

(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Betroth

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

See Betrothed

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Betrothing [MARRIAGE]