56. Brides Bought

From: Manners and Customs of the Bible By: James M. Freeman

• 1 min. read • grade level: 9

The dowry comes not with the bride, but for the bride. In Oriental marriages the bride is given only on receipt of a consideration. In many cases the transaction amounts to actual bargain and sale; this, however, is not necessarily the case. Custom regards the father of the bride as entitled to some compensation for the trouble had in her training, and for the loss of service experienced by her departure from home. If this compensation cannot be rendered in money, jewels, or cattle, it may be given in labor. It was in this way that Jacob became herdman to Laban. Moses probably served Jethro in a similar manner, for the sake of having Zipporah. Compare Exodus 2:21; 3:1²¹And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. (Exodus 2:21)
¹Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. (Exodus 3:1). Shechem offered to Jacob and his sons any amount of dowry he was pleased to ask for Dinah (Gen. 34:12¹²Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife. (Genesis 34:12)).