Dowry

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 31:15 Genesis 24:53 Genesis 34:12 Judges 1:15 1 Samuel 18:23-27 Genesis 29:15-30 Joshua 15:16-17 Deuteronomy 22:29  Exodus 21:32 Leviticus 27:1-8MarriageFamily

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In eastern countries the bridegroom was required to pay the father of his betrothed a stipulated portion, in money or other valuables, portion, in money or other valuables, proportioned to the rank and station of the family to which she belonged; this was the dowry. Jacob purchased his wives by his services to their father,  Genesis 29:18-27;  34:12;  Exodus 22:16,17;  1 Samuel 18:25;  Hosea 3:2 .

Morrish Bible Dictionary

The sum paid by a man to the relatives of the woman who becomes his wife.  Genesis 34:12;  Exodus 22:16,17;  1 Samuel 18:25 : cf.  Hosea 3:2 . Leah, on having her sixth son, piously said, "God hath endued me with a good dowry."  Genesis 30:20 . The dowry which Jacob gave for his wives was seven years' service for each.  Genesis 29:18,27 .

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) A gift; endowment.

(2): ( n.) The money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a bride's portion on her marriage. See Note under Dower.

(3): ( n.) A gift or presents for the bride, on espousal. See Dower.

King James Dictionary

Dowry n. See Dower. This word differs not from dower. It is the same word differently written, and the distinction made between them is arbitrary.

1. The money, goods or estate which a woman brings to her husband in marriage the portion given with a wife. 2. The reward paid for a wife. 3. A gift a fortune, given.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 34:12 Exodus 22:17 1 Samuel 18:25 Genesis 29:18 30:20 34:12

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

The suitor's payment to the father for the wife ( Genesis 24:53, Isaac;  Genesis 29:18, Jacob;  Genesis 34:12, Shechem).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Dowry. See Marriage .

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Dowry. See Marriage.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

DOWRY . See Marriage.

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

See Bride .

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

dou´ri  : In all Hebrew marriages, the dowry held an important place. The dowry sealed the betrothal. It took several forms. The bridegroom presented gifts to the bride. There was the מהר , mōhar , "dowry" as distinguished from מתּן , mattān , "gifts to the members of the family" (compare  Genesis 24:22 ,  Genesis 24:53;  Genesis 34:12 ). The price paid to the father or brothers of the bride was probably a survival of the early custom of purchasing wives ( Genesis 34:12;  Exodus 22:17;  1 Samuel 18:25; compare Rth 4:10;  Hosea 3:2 ). There was frequently much negotiation and bargaining as to size of dowry ( Genesis 34:12 ). The dowry would generally be according to the wealth and standing of the bride (compare  1 Samuel 18:23 ). It might consist of money, jewelry or other valuable effects; sometimes, of service rendered, as in the case of Jacob ( Genesis 29:18 ); deeds of valor might be accepted in place of dowry ( Joshua 15:16;  1 Samuel 18:25;  Judges 1:12 ). Occasionally a bride received a dowry from her father; sometimes in the shape of land ( Judges 1:15 ), and of cities ( 1 Kings 9:16 ). In later Jewish history a written marriage contract definitely arranged for the nature and size of the dowry.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( מֹהִר , Mo'Har , prop. price paid for a wife,  Genesis 34:12;  Exodus 22:17;  1 Samuel 18:25; זֶבֶד , Ze'Bed , a gift,  Genesis 30:20; Φερνή ,  2 Maccabees 1:14). Nothing distinguishes more the nature of marriage among us in Europe from the same connection when formed in the East than the different methods of proceeding between the father-in-law and the intended bridegroom. Among us, the father usually gives a portion to his daughter, which becomes the property of her husband, and which often makes a considerable part of his wealth; but in the East the bridegroom offers to the father of his bride a sum of money, or value to his satisfaction, before he can expect to receive his daughter in marriage. The sum which the bridegroom was required to pay to the father of his bride as a nuptial present or dowry was to be according to the rank she sustained, and such as the fathers of virgins of the same rank were accustomed to receive for their daughters. Of this procedure we have instances from the earliest times. When Jacob had nothing which he could immediately give for a wife, he purchased her by his services to her father Laban ( Genesis 29:18;  Genesis 30:20;  Genesis 34:12;  1 Samuel 18:25;  Exodus 22:16-17;  Joshua 15:18;  Hosea 3:2). (See Senkenberg, De Juribus Dotium , Giessen, 1729; Walch, De Privilegio Dotis Judaece , Jena, 1785.) (See Marriage).