Blessing of Married Couples
May YHWH who blessed our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and our mothers Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, bless these couples. Guide them further on their life’s journey. Let them find favor in the eyes of those who see them together and let them continue to build a home worthy of praise where they will find tranquility in their hearts all their lives. May all their endeavors be blessed in the Name of Yeshua our Messiah. Amen.
Love Defined
אָהַב ahav (H157) literally means “I will give” and is equivalent to the Greek word ἀγαπάω agapaō (G25) which refers to devoted love and affection for someone or something (cf. Genesis 22:2; Genesis 25:28; Genesis 27:9; Genesis 29:18; Exodus 20:6; Exodus 21:5; Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 10:19; 1 Samuel 20:17; Psalms 11:7; Psalms 119:47; Matthew 5:43-44; Matthew 6:24; Mark 12:30-31; John 3:19; John 11:5; John 14:15; Romans 13:8).
Husbands and Wives
Genesis 1:27-28 Elohim created man in his own image. In image of Elohim he created him; male and female he created them. 28 Elohim blessed them, [saying], “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the land, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the heavens, and over the livestock, [and over all the wild animals of the land], [and over all the creatures that crawl] on the land.”
1 Corinthians 11:2-3, 11-12 Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I would have you know that the head of every man is Messiah, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Messiah is Elohim… 11 Nevertheless, neither is the woman independent of the man, nor the man independent of the woman, in the Master. 12 For as wife came from man, so a man also comes through a woman; but all things are from Elohim.
1 Corinthians 7:1-7 Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own woman, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband give his woman her marital duty (cf. Exodus 21:10), and likewise also the woman her husband. 4 The woman doesn’t have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise also the husband doesn’t have authority over his own body, but the woman does. 5 Don’t deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn’t tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. 7 For I wish that all men were like me. However, each man has his own gift from Elohim, one of this kind, and another of that kind.
Wives
Genesis 3:16 To the woman he said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth. You will bear children in pain. Your desire will be for your husband, and he, he will rule over you.”
“וְהוּא יִמְשָׁל־בָּךְ” vehu yimshol bach …And he (וְהוּא), he will rule (יִמְשָׁל) over you (בָּךְ)” Rule – מָשַׁל mashal (H4910) literally means to compare one thing to another in the sense of a rule of measurement, often a proverb or parable. For example, the Hebrew word for “Proverbs” is Sefer Mishlei (literally meaning “Book of Parables”) which contains guidance for living a wise, moral, and righteous life, in the form of proverbs and parables. Often, a proverb or parable is a story of comparisons or measuring one thing against another (cf. Genesis 1:18; Genesis 4:7; Genesis 24:2; Genesis 45:8; Exodus 21:8; Deuteronomy 15:5-6; Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 22:7; Isaiah 3:12). מָשַׁל mashal is equivalent to the Greek word παραβολή parabolē (G3850) which is a placing of one thing by the side of another, juxtaposition, as of ships in battle. It is further defined as a concise, forcefully expressive, and instructive saying involving some likeness or comparison and having the nature of or expressing a precept giving instructions or giving or conveying a warning or reprimand (cf. Matthew 13:3, 10, 13, 34-35; Matthew 22:1; Luke 8:10; John 16:25). As it relates to a husband and woman, it’s apparent that a husband’s responsibility is to teach his woman and provide guidance for living a wise, moral, and righteous life (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Ephesians 5:22-28; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1).
In the sense of governance, מָשַׁל mashal means to rule, have dominion, or reign and is equivalent to the Greek word κυριεύω kyrieuō (G2961) to be lord of, to rule, have dominion over (cf. Luke 22:25; Romans 6:9; Romans 7:1; Romans 14:9; 2 Corinthians 1:24).
Proverbs 19:13 …A woman’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
Proverbs 21:9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 27:15 A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike: 16 restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.
1 Peter 3:1-6 In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word, 2 seeing your pure behavior in fear. 3 Let your beauty come not from the outward adorning of braiding your hair, and of wearing gold ornaments or of putting on fine clothing, 4 but from the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in sight of Elohim. 5 For this is how in the past the holy women who hoped in Elohim also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands. 6 So Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him master, whose children you now are if you do well and are not put in fear by any terror.
1 Corinthians 11:5-6, 7-10 But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved. 6 For if a woman is not covered, let her hair also be cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or be shaved, let her be covered…but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man; 9 for man wasn’t created for the woman, but woman for the man. 10 For this cause the woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.
1 Corinthians 14:34 Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the Torah also says (cf. Genesis 3:16), 35 if they desire to learn anything. “Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to be talking in the assembly.”
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Master. 23 For the husband is the head of the woman, as Messiah also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. 24 But as the assembly is subject to Messiah, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything. 33…and let the woman see that she respects her husband.
Colossians 3:18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Master.
1 Timothy 2:9-15 In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, 10 but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing the fear of Elohim. 11 Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. 12 But I don’t permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Chavah. 14 Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience; 15 but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with sobriety.
1 Timothy 5:11-15 But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Messiah, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 13 Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting. 15 For already some have turned away after Satan.
Titus 2:3-5 and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good, 4 that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sober minded, chaste, watchers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that word of Elohim may not be blasphemed.
Subjection – ὑποτάσσω hypotassō (G5293) literally means “to arrange under” and was a Greek military term meaning “to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader”. In non-military use, it was “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”. The Hebrew equivalent of is הִכָּנַעְנָה hikana’anah which means to “surrender” in the sense of humbling oneself from the Hebrew word עָנָה ‘anah (H6031) which means “to be brought low” or “afflicted” (cf. Genesis 34:2; Exodus 10:3; Deuteronomy 8:2-3; Deuteronomy 21:14; Deuteronomy 22:24; Deuteronomy 22:29; Psalms 35:13).
Husbands
Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5 Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his woman, and they will be one flesh.
Genesis 3:17-19 To Adam he said, “Because you have listened to your woman’s voice, and have eaten from the tree, about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You will not eat of it,’ the ground is cursed for your sake. You will eat from it with much labor all the days of your life. 18 It will yield thorns and thistles to you; and you will eat the herb of the field. 19 You will eat bread by the sweat of your face until you return to the ground, for you were taken out of it. For you are dust, and you will return to dust.”
Exodus 21:10-11 If he takes another woman to himself, he will not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marital rights (עוֹנָה onah H5772 and ὁμιλία homilia G3657 = sexual intercourse). 11 If he doesn’t do these three things for her, she may go free without paying any money.
1 Peter 3:7 The husbands, in the same way, live with them according to knowledge, as to the weaker utensil in the feminine way (gynaikeios G1134), giving honor as also being joint heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head…7 For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of Elohim.
Ephesians 5:25-33 Husbands, love your wives, even as Messiah also loved the assembly and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without defect. 28 Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own woman loves himself. 29 For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Master also does the assembly, 30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. 31 “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his woman. Then the two will become one flesh.” (cf. Genesis 2:24) 32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Messiah and the assembly. 33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own woman even as himself.
Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them.
1 Timothy 2:8 I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting
Titus 2:1-2, 6-8 But say the things which fit sound doctrine, 2 that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance..6 Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded. 7 In all things show yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, 8 and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned, that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.