Reference: Wife
Easton
The ordinance of marriage was sanctioned in Paradise (Ge 2:24; Mt 19:4-6). Monogamy was the original law under which man lived, but polygamy early commenced (Ge 4:19), and continued to prevail all down through Jewish history. The law of Moses regulated but did not prohibit polygamy. A man might have a plurality of wives, but a wife could have only one husband. A wife's legal rights (Ex 21:10) and her duties (Pr 31:10-31; 1Ti 5:14) are specified. She could be divorced in special cases (De 22:13-21), but could not divorce her husband. Divorce was restricted by our Lord to the single case of adultery (Mt 19:3-9). The duties of husbands and wives in their relations to each other are distinctly set forth in the New Testament (1Co 7:2-5; Eph 5:22-33; Col 3:18-19; 1Pe 3:1-7).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And the pharisees came to Him to ensnare Him, and asked Him, whether it was lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And He answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that He, who made them at first, made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother,
And He answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that He, who made them at first, made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh:
and be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh: so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. And therefore what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. And therefore what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto Him, Why then did Moses order a bill of divorce to be given, and so to put her away? read more. He answered them, Moses because of your hardheartedness, permitted you to put away your wives; but it was not so from the beginning: and I tell you, that whosoever putteth away his wife, except for whoredom, and marrieth another, committeth adultery; and he that marrieth her so put away committeth adultery.
Nevertheless to prevent whoredoms, let every one have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to the wife due benevolence; and in like manner also the wife to the husband. read more. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband; and in like manner also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Do not withdraw from one another, unless by consent for a season, that ye may attend to fasting and prayer: and come together again, least Satan tempt you through your incontinency.
Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord: for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and the saviour of that body. read more. As the church then is subject to Christ, so also should wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave up Himself for it: to sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might prepare it for Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and unblameable. Men ought so to love their wives, as their own bodies: he that loveth his wife, loveth himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord also doth the church: for we are members of his body, as if taken out of his flesh, and of his bones, as Eve was out of Adam's. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This mystery is great: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and let the wife reverence her husband.
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as becometh you in the Lord: and ye husbands, love your wives, and be not embittered against them.
Hastings
Smith
Wife.
[MARRIAGE]
See Marriage