DOWRY
In eastern countries the bridegroom was required to pay the father of his betrothed a stipulated portion, in money or other valuables, portion, in money or other valuables, proportioned to the rank and station of the family to which she belonged; this was the dowry. Jacob purchased his wives by his services to their father, Gen 29:18-27 ; 34:12; Exo 22:16,17 ; 1Sa 18:25 ; Hos 3:2 .
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
dowry
A definite sum of money, or its equivalent, the income of which is to be used to support a religious woman who, by her profession, has become a member of her community. The dowry is transferred to the community before the candidate receives the religious habit, and becomes the property of the community when the religious makes her profession, but with certain restrictions. It may not be disposed of, e.g., to put up a building or to payoff a debt, but it must be carefully invested, the income to be used for the support of the religious in question. Only after the death of the religious does it become the absolute property of the community, and then it may be disposed of in any manner whatever. Should a religious leave the order or congregation for any reason, the capital which constituted her dowry must be returned to her without interest. The term is also applied to the property which a wife brings to her husband in marriage.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Dowry
(, mo’har, prop. price paid for a wife, Gen 34:12; Exo 22:17; 1Sa 18:25; , ze’bed, a gift, Gen 30:20; , 2Ma 1:14). Nothing distinguishes more the nature of marriage among us in Europe from the same connection when formed in the East than the different methods of proceeding between the father-in-law and the intended bridegroom. Among us, the father usually gives a portion to his daughter, which becomes the property of her husband, and which often makes a considerable part of his wealth; but in the East the bridegroom offers to the father of his bride a sum of money, or value to his satisfaction, before he can expect to receive his daughter in marriage. The sum which the bridegroom was required to pay to the father of his bride as a nuptial present or dowry was to be according to the rank she sustained, and such as the fathers of virgins of the same rank were accustomed to receive for their daughters. Of this procedure we have instances from the earliest times. When Jacob had nothing which he could immediately give for a wife, he purchased her by his services to her father Laban (Gen 29:18; Gen 30:20; Gen 34:12; 1Sa 18:25; Exo 22:16-17; Jos 15:18; Hos 3:2). (See Senkenberg, De juribus dotium, Giessen, 1729; Walch, De privilegio dotis Judaece, Jena, 1785.) SEE MARRIAGE.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Dowry
(mohar; i.e., price paid for a wife, Gen. 34:12; Ex. 22:17; 1 Sam. 18:25), a nuptial present; some gift, as a sum of money, which the bridegroom offers to the father of his bride as a satisfaction before he can receive her. Jacob had no dowry to give for his wife, but he gave his services (Gen. 29:18; 30:20; 34:12).
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Dowry
The suitor’s payment to the father for the wife (Gen 24:53, Isaac; Gen 29:18, Jacob; Gen 34:12, Shechem).
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Dowry
DOWRY.See Marriage.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Dowry
douri: In all Hebrew marriages, the dowry held an important place. The dowry sealed the betrothal. It took several forms. The bridegroom presented gifts to the bride. There was the , mohar, dowry as distinguished from , mattan, gifts to the members of the family (compare Gen 24:22, Gen 24:53; Gen 34:12). The price paid to the father or brothers of the bride was probably a survival of the early custom of purchasing wives (Gen 34:12; Exo 22:17; 1Sa 18:25; compare Rth 4:10; Hos 3:2). There was frequently much negotiation and bargaining as to size of dowry (Gen 34:12). The dowry would generally be according to the wealth and standing of the bride (compare 1Sa 18:23). It might consist of money, jewelry or other valuable effects; sometimes, of service rendered, as in the case of Jacob (Gen 29:18); deeds of valor might be accepted in place of dowry (Jos 15:16; 1Sa 18:25; Jdg 1:12). Occasionally a bride received a dowry from her father; sometimes in the shape of land (Jdg 1:15), and of cities (1Ki 9:16). In later Jewish history a written marriage contract definitely arranged for the nature and size of the dowry.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Dowry
The sum paid by a man to the relatives of the woman who becomes his wife. Gen 34:12; Exo 22:16-17; 1Sa 18:25: cf. Hos 3:2. Leah, on having her sixth son, piously said, “God hath endued me with a good dowry.” Gen 30:20. The dowry which Jacob gave for his wives was seven years’ service for each. Gen 29:18; Gen 29:27.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Dowry
General references
Exo 22:16-17; Rth 4:3-9 Women
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Dowry
Dowry. See Marriage.
Fuente: People’s Dictionary of the Bible
Dowry
Dowry. See Marriage.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Dowry
See BRIDE.