“Thy Husband”

Alan C. Miner

One of the titles for the Lord that is found in the Book of Mormon is "Thy Husband" (3 Nephi 22:5). It comes from the words of Isaiah quoted by the Lord to the Nephites at the time of his visit to this continent. This passage from Isaiah is filled with allusions to marriage between the Lord and his covenant people.

According to Donna Nielsen, a knowledge of scriptural marriage imagery can greatly enrich our understanding of how God relates to us through covenants. In the Bible we find that Jesus taught the people using examples of weddings and feasts, and of Himself as the Bridegroom. It was meaningful to the Jews in a way that it is not to us because we lack understanding of their culture. Among the Jews, the terms of the marriage contract were spelled out in a formal document called a ketubah. In fact, the "ketubah" is a marriage contract that all bridegrooms are required to give their brides today at a Jewish wedding. Anciently, this was done at the time of negotiating the bride price. It is still considered so very important and binding that, if a couple ever loses their ketubah, they are forbidden to live together until a new one has been written. Essentially, the ketubah stated the groom's promises to the bride in language similar to this:

(1) I will provide you with the necessities.

(2) I will redeem you if you are ever taken captive.

(3) I will live with you as a husband according to the universal custom.

[Donna B. Nielsen, Beloved Bridegroom: Finding Christ in Ancient Jewish Marriage and Family Customs, pp. 2, 26]

3 Nephi 22:9 Noah ([Illustration]): Chart: A Latter-Day Saint View of Noah. [Joseph B. Romney, "Noah the Great Preacher of Righteousness," in The Ensign, February 1998, p. 24]

3 Nephi 22:9 I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth ([Illustration]): Noah's Preaching Scorned. Artist: Harry Anderson. [Joseph B. Romney, "Noah the Great Preacher of Righteousness," in The Ensign, February 1998, p. 23]

3 Nephi 22:9 I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth ([Illustration]): Noah After the Deluge. Artist: Frederic Henrischopin [Joseph B. Romney, "Noah the Great Preacher of Righteousness," in The Ensign, February 1998, p. 26]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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