This is a sensitive topic for many but it need not be. It is the truth that sets free [John 8:32]. And for the truth, we go to the beginning.
Marriage is an institution and ordinance i.e. a divine directive, set up for the well-being of mankind and the good of all creation. It was God's idea - for a reason.
In the bible God (i.e. Yahweh) gave His reason for marriage :
''And Jehovah God saith, `Not good for the man to be alone, I do make to him an helper -- as his counterpart.'' - Genesis 2:18 YLT (Youngs Literal Translation).
Let's look closer at this verse.
The Hebrew word used for 'good' is the word ט֛וֹב (ṭôb) which means 'good, pleasing, desirable'.*
The word translated as 'the man' is הָֽאָדָ֖ם Adam which means 'man' as in human or humankind i.e. in contrast to animals or other creations. It is not the usual Hebrew word for male humans. The word for male is 'Ish' ( îš) - shown translated as man or husband in Genesis 3:6 or zākār in Genesis 1: 27.
The word for 'alone' is the word לְבַדּ֑וֹ which translates as 'alone, by itself'. It does not mean 'lonely'. The human was not lonely - he had God and other creatures with whom he interacted.
In other words, God did not think it appropriate that the Human he created in His (or Their - see Genesis 1:26) shadow-image or likeness should be by himself in mission. His initial thought was to search for a companion for him among the animals, but none was suitable i.e. his counterpart.
''And the man calleth names to all the cattle, and to fowl of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; and to man hath not been found an helper -- as his counterpart.'' YLT Genesis 2:20
The type of creature required to be a helper had to be his counterpart.
The word translated as helper in verse 20 and the earlier verse18, is the Hebrew word עֵ֖זֶר ʽēzer which is used in this form referring to only two people in the whole bible: God as a help (strength) in Psalm 89:19 and Daniel 11:34, and the Woman as a help in Genesis 2:18,20. The word ʽēzer therefore did not connote inferiority, subordinate or weakness, it was the exact opposite of those.
For the Human, God's solution was this:
''So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. '' Genesis 2:21 -22
The word commonly translated 'rib' in verse 22 is from the Hebrew word צְלָעֹת or ṣēlāʽ which in ALL its other uses is translated as side. There is nowhere ṣēlā is translated as 'rib' except in Genesis 2:22. The bottom line is the woman was not Adam's rib, side is the accurate translation. The woman was the other half of Adam i.e. the Human; she was the other side. God took one side of the Human (Adam) and created a Woman - an equal but complementary half. This fact is what inspired Adam's statement:
23''The man (ādām) said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’ (iššâ)
for she was taken out of man.(’îš)”
And this reunion of the complementary and equal sides (iššâ and ’îš) is the institution God calls Marriage.
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.''
[Genesis 2:21 -24]
Please note, however, that Eve was not a 'help' helping Adam with an assignment that only he had been given, no, she was the other half and the strength required to fulfil the assignment they BOTH were given. The commission had been given to Adam not as a male, but as the HUMAN - male and female! It was not the man's vision, it was God's commission.
''So God created mankind (ADAM) in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male (zākār) and female (nᵉqēbâ) he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 1:27 -28
Jesus came to restore this order therefore his commission is not to the males as assisted by females but to ALL his Disciples - male or female. We are not helping (i.e. from positions of inferiority or weakness), we are co-labourers together with Christ. Halleluyah!
''Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
''Then Thou hast spoken in vision, To Thy saint, yea, Thou sayest, I have placed help (ʽēzer) upon a mighty one, Exalted a chosen one out of the people'' (about THWH in) Psalm 89:19 YLT
''Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful people you said: “I have bestowed strength (ʽēzer) on a warrior; I have raised up a young man from among the people.'' Psalm 89:19 NIV
''Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper [in the sense of a partner or ally; the word does not imply subordinate status; see ʽāzar Ps. 79:9] who ·is right for [is suitable for; corresponds with] him.” Genesis 2:18 EXB
''He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'' Jesus in Luke 10:2 NIV
''For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.'' Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV
''Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.'' Paul in Romans 16:3 NIV
Study Aids and References: BibleGateway.com BibleHub.com
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