* betrothed a wife.
It was customary among the Jews to contract matrimony,
espouse, or betroth, and for a considerable time to leave the
parties in the houses of the respective parents; and when the
bridegroom had made proper preparations, then the bride was
brought home to his house, and the marriage consummated. The
provisions in this verse refer to a case of this kind; though
the Jews extend it to him who had newly consummated his
marriage, and even to him who had married his brother's wife.
It was deemed a peculiar hardship for a person to be obliged
to go to battle, who had left a house unfinished, newly
purchased land half tilled, or a wife with whom he had just
contracted marriage.
# 22:23-25; 24:5; Mt 1:18|
* lest he die.
# 28:30; Lu 14:18-20; 2Ti 2:4|
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