What Does “Betrothed” Mean in the Bible?
To marry, or to be promised in marriage. A “betrothed” woman is the bride-to-be or the newly married wife.
A detail
- In the Bible: Mary was betrothed to Joseph when she conceived by the Holy Spirit. Through the prophet Hosea, God says he will betroth his people to himself forever.
Where it appears in the Bible
Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:27; Hosea 2:21
What the Bible says
Matthew 1:18
Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost.
Luke 1:27
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Hosea 2:21
And I will espouse thee to me for ever: and I will espouse thee to me in justice, and judgment, and in mercy, and in commiserations.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: RAE, “desposar”