Bible Dictionary
Dowry
A dowry was a gift, payment, money, property, or service given in connection with a marriage. In biblical custom it could be presented to the bride or her family and helped establish the marriage agreement.
Definition
A dowry was a nuptial gift or payment connected with marriage. It could be presented to the bride, her father, or her family and might consist of money, jewelry, valuable goods, land, cities, service, or deeds of valor. The dowry helped seal the betrothal.
Biblical Usage
Biblical examples include Jacob’s service in place of a monetary dowry and negotiations over the amount to be paid for a wife. A dowry could also be given by a bride’s father, including land or cities.
Historical Background
Hebrew marriage customs distinguished the mohar, or dowry, from gifts to members of the bride’s family. The amount often depended on the wealth and standing of the bride, and later Jewish marriage contracts specified its nature and size.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(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).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Marriage]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>dou'-ri: 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 matttan, "gifts to the members of the family" (compare Ge 24:22,53; Ge 34:12). The price paid to the father or brothers of the bride was probably a survival of the early custom of purchasing wives (Ge 34:12; Ex 22:17; 1Sa 18:25; compare Ru 4:10; Ho 3:2). There was frequently much negotiation and bargaining as to size of dowry (Ge 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 (Ge 29:18); deeds of valor might be accepted in place of dowry (Jos 15:16; 1Sa 18:25; Jud 1:12). Occasionally a bride received a dowry from her father; sometimes in the shape of land (Jud 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.</p><p>Edward Bagby Pollard</p>