Biblical Marriages
(Famous and not so famous couples)
Reference Husband Wife Significance
Genesis 2:21-4:9 Adam Eve Dysfunctional family. Son kills brother.
Genesis 12:1-23:19 1 Peter 3:5-6 Abraham Sarah Most admired marriage in Bible
Genesis 19:15-26 Lot wife Wife disobeyed God and looked back, turned into pillar of salt. Indirectly caused Lot to commit incest with his daughters.
Genesis 24:15- 27:46 Isaac Rebekah Each parent had a favorite child. Turned out to be trouble.
Genesis 25:1-2 Abraham Keturah Wife after death of Sarah. Bore him 6 sons
Genesis 26:34-5 Esau Judith/Basemath Hittite (another religion) wives were grief to Isaac & Rebekah
Genesis 29:21-30:21 Jacob Leah Jacob tricked into marring her. Weak eyed. 6 sons & Dinah
Genesis 29:28-35:19 Jacob Rachel Jacob’s favorite wife. 2 sons Joseph & Benjamin
Genesis 30:3-7: 35:22 Jacob Bilhah Rachel’s maid 2 sons. Cuckolded by his son Reuben.
Genesis 30:9-12 Jacob Zilpah Leah’s maid 2 sons
Genesis 30:24 Joseph Asenath 2 sons Ephraim & Manasseh (Adopted by Jacob)
Exodus 18 Moses Zipporah Moses was a work-alcoholic which caused family problems & a temporary separation. Father-in-law helped repair marriage.
Judges 4:4 Lappidoth Deborah A man’s wife, a prophetess, is used by God to save a nation because a general refused to lead the army unless she went with them.
Judges 4:17 Heber Jael A brave wife, who did not share her husband’s political views.
Judges16:4-21 Sampson Delilah A wife more loyal to her nation than her husband.
Exodus 6:20 Amram Jochebed Incestuous marriage. Parents of Moses and Aaron
Ruth Boaz Ruth A rich & honorable middle-aged bachelor is attracted by the character of a foreign widow. Ancestor of Christ.
Esther King Xerxes Esther A beautiful girl, a rotten scoundrel, and God’s grace. A story of true love that triumphs and saves the nation of God. Allegorically, interaction between the church as 'bride' and God.
Esther 6:12-13 Haman Zeresh Wife recognized that husband could not succeed against a Jew.
Job 2:9 Job “wife” Recommended Job renounce God and die.
Hosea Hosea Gomer Marriage is picture of God & Israel. Idolatry is equated to adultery.
1 Samuel 1:1-2:10 Elkanah Hannah Parents of prophet Samuel. Miraculous birth. Hannah’s thanksgiving prayer is echoed in Mary’s magnificent in Luke 1:47-55.
I Samuel 18:20;
2 19:17; 25:44 David Michal An arranged marriage to the King’s daughter. Her passion turns to disgust over worship styles. She dies childless.
1 Samuel 25:3-42 David Abigail A woman of character wins David’s admiration.
2 Samuel 11:3 - 21 Uriah Bathsheba An marriage ruined by inattention, indiscretion, boredom and lust.
2 Samuel 11:3-27
1 Kings 1:11-39 David Bathsheba A bad beginning, but it all works out in the end. Mother of Solomon. Ancestor of Christ. Her grandfather Ahithophel sided with Absalom.
1 Kings 11:1-12 Solomon 700 wives
300 concubines Women can distract a man from his duty to God.
1 Kings 16:31; 18:4; 19:2; 21:5-25 Ahab Jezebel A dominating pagan wife, a weak, immature king, disaster for the nation and the lesson: Obey God.
2 Chronicles 22:10-12, 23:12-15 Ahaziah Athelia Daughter of Jezebel. Not a nice mother. Killed her children to be Queen.
Luke 1:5-57; Zechariah Elizabeth Long & successful marriage, late in life, John the Baptist is born.
Matthew 1:18-23 Joseph Mary A suspicious husband reassured by God, an obedient father, loving mother. They do not experience life as expected.
Acts 5:1-11 Ananias Sapphira Nice Christian couple, but lied to the Holy Spirit about their tithe.
Acts 18:2-26 Aquila Priscilla Paul discovers a woman who is a better teacher than her husband.
1 Corinthians 9:5 Peter “his wife” The first Pope was married!
Revelation 19:7; 19:6-8; 21:2; 21:9; 22:17 Jesus Church/Bride The end of it all. Why marriage is a useful illustration for God.