betroth

Everyday

To betroth someone is to promise a person in marriage, so that they become engaged to be married. tree →

In the lessons

in fairy tales a king or father plans to betroth a son or daughter to another royal family.

Examples

• The king wishes to betroth me to the son of the king of the Green City. tree →
• He promised to betroth his daughter to the brave knight. tree →
• They were betrothed when they were young. tree →

Note

nothing for maths

In Jewish tradition

To enter the legal, binding promise of marriage, which comes before the wedding itself. The prophet Hosea uses it as a picture: God betroths Israel to Himself for ever, in faithfulness, righteousness, justice, lovingkindness and compassion.

Interpretation. Jewish law treats betrothal (kiddushin) as a binding step that sets the woman apart for one man; the verse warns of a curse that others will enjoy what one has worked for. The tradition reads Hosea's words as God's love for Israel like a marriage, and these verses are said when winding tefillin straps round the finger.

Examples

• Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her; thou shalt build a house, and thou shalt not dwell therein; thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not use the fruit thereof. (Torah DEU.28.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• And I will betroth thee unto Me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know the LORD. (Prophets HOS.2.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• And I will betroth thee unto Me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto Me in righteousness, and in justice, and in lovingkindness, and in compassion. (Prophets HOS.2.21, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

nothing for maths