Meaning
A married woman in relation to her husband.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses wife for a woman who is married to a man. The term appears throughout accounts of marriage, family relationships, households, inheritance, and personal relationships.
The Bible also uses wife in figurative descriptions. Israel and Jerusalem are sometimes described using marital imagery, while the New Testament gives instruction concerning the relationship between wives and husbands.
Key References
- Genesis 2:24 — The marriage relationship between a man and his wife is described.
- Genesis 16:3 — Hagar becomes Abram’s wife.
- Ruth 1:4 — Ruth and Orpah are described as wives of Naomi’s sons.
- 1 Samuel 25:3 — Abigail is described as Nabal’s wife.
- Proverbs 31:10 — Scripture describes the value of a virtuous woman.
- Matthew 1:20 — Mary is described as Joseph’s wife.
- Ephesians 5:22 — Wives are addressed concerning their husbands.
- Colossians 3:18 — Wives are instructed concerning their husbands.
- 1 Peter 3:1 — Wives are addressed concerning their husbands.
Related Terms
- Husband
- Marriage
- Woman
- Family
- Household