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Family Life in the Bible (Endnotes)

1. We saw earlier when studying the vine that alcohol, though forbidden by Moslem law, was a common vice in the biblical culture. Close

2. Although this sentence probably sends chills down the spine of many modern women, who marry in their 20s and would not enjoy being under the instruction of their mothers-in-law, it must be remembered that in the biblical culture girls usually married in their young teenage years, sometimes as early as 12, with 16 being considered quite old. Furthermore, the culture led them to expect, and be prepared for, life with their husband’s family. Interestingly, although both Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 5:31 speak of the man leaving his father and mother, culturally, that was not done. Men were too important for the defense of the family to move away just as they were getting old enough to really make a difference in a fight. Men married and lived with or near their parents, and it was the woman who relocated to be with her husband and in-laws. Close

3. The translators of the NIV missed the custom and translated “boy” as “child” in John 16:21, but the Greek word clearly refers to a male. Close

4. This Moslem custom is in contrast to the biblical culture in which parents washed their children at birth, and if a baby was not washed it was considered neglected (Ezek. 16:4). The custom of “salting” the baby varied. Sometimes only a little salt was symbolically rubbed on the child as a sign of the salt covenant. Bishop K. C. Pillai, Light Through An Eastern Window (Robert Speller & Sons, New York, 1963), p. 42. Close

5. Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes by Joseph and Mary (Luke 2:7 and 12). Newborn babies were wrapped in swaddling clothes in a way that straightened the arms and legs and so that the body was straight, and this was done as a dedication, showing that the child would be raised to live a straight life before God. Thus the baby in Ezekiel 16:4, who was not “swaddled,” did not have parents to care for her and bring her up in the ways of the Lord. The swaddling clothes were not left on very long. One of the unfortunate losses in the modern versions is that the translation of “swaddling clothes” has been reduced to merely “wrapped in cloth,” which most modern people assume was simply to keep the baby warm. Thus the custom involved is totally lost to the modern reader. Close

6. “Son of” is ben in Hebrew, and thus the famous movie, Ben Hur, is “son of Hur.” Close

7. There are some other customs associated with names that are very important. The name of the person carried the same authority as the person himself. To use someone’s name was to use his authority. Thus, when David’s men were negotiating for him, they spoke, “…in the name of David…” (1 Sam. 25:9). When King Ahasuerus’ scribes sent a letter out to his empire with his authority, it was written “…in the name of king Ahasuerus…” (Esther 3:12). When the priests ministered “…in the name of the Lord…” (Deut. 18:5 and 7), they were ministering with God’s authority. David told Goliath he came “…in the name of the Lord…” i.e., in God’s authority (1 Sam. 17:45). When Peter healed the man at the Temple, he used the authority that Christ had granted him, stating: “…Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). In Acts 16:18 Paul took a demon out of a woman, “…in the name of Jesus Christ,” i.e., in the authority of Christ.

In the same way that a person’s name carried the authority of the person, when someone wanted to demonstrate his control or influence in another person’s life, he would change the person’s name. Some of the names God changed were: Abram to Abraham (Gen. 17:5), Sarai to Sarah (Gen. 17:15), Jacob to Israel (Gen. 32:28), and Solomon to Jedidiah (2 Sam. 12:24 and 25). When Pharaohnechoh conquered Judah he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:34). Nebuchadnezzar changed Mattaniah to Zedekiah (2 Kings 24:17). The Babylonian official in charge of captives changed Daniel to Belteshazzar, Hananiah to Shadrach, Mishael to Meshach, and Azariah to Abednego (Dan. 1:7).

Jesus Christ has a name that is above every name, meaning that he has more authority than anyone else (Phil. 2:9), and he also has a name that no one knows, except for he himself, meaning that no one can get power over him (Rev. 19:12). Close

8. Ecclesiastes 12:12 testifies that there were many books available in the ancient world, none of which have come down to us from the time Ecclesiastes was written. A few of these are mentioned in the Bible, including, “…the annotations of the prophet Iddo” (2 Chron. 13:22-NIV), “…the book of the annals of Solomon” (1 Kings 11:41-NIV), and “the annals of Jehu” (2 Chron. 20:34-NIV). Close

9. The NIV says “…adorns his head like a priest,…” while other versions say that he decks himself with ornaments or with a garland. The Hebrew word is used of, but does not have to mean, a priestly headdress (Exod. 39:28; Ezek. 44:18). Close

10. As Mackie says, there were occasionally changes in detail. Almost every book on biblical manners and customs has something about weddings, and it is valuable to read several accounts to get a flavor for how customs varied slightly. One of the practices that varied was where the bride was. Many books record that she stayed at her house, with some fanfare the groom came to get her, and then there was a grand parade as the bride and groom traveled back to the bride’s new home. Fred H. Wight, Manners and Customs of Bible Lands (Moody Press, Chicago, 1953), p. 131. Close

11. It was God’s will that mankind live forever. Death is an “enemy” (1 Cor. 15:26) and it is the Devil who holds the power of death today (Heb. 2:14). People blame God for disasters and death, but that blame is misplaced. See Don’t Blame God!: A Biblical Answer to the Problem of Evil, Sin, and Suffering (Christian Educational Services, Indianapolis, IN, 1994). Close