Lesson 7:Customs of the Biblical World (cont). From Wayne

Jackson’s book

Religious Customs• Working on the Sabbath– Prohibition of work in the Law of Moses was rather

general, requiring human judgment in its application• The Jewish rabbis developed a whole system of traditional

demands that reached absolute absurdity

Religious Customs• Washing of Hands– Ritual washing was part of the “tradition of the

elders” (Mark 7:3)– Jesus condemned the hypocrisy by pointing out their

traditions made void the law of God (Mark 7:8-13).• The law required honor and respect for one’s parents (cf.

Ex. 20:12; 21:17); the Jews would designate as “Corban” (i.e., “given to God”) income due to their needy parents.– The Mishna declared that a vow could not be revoked even in the

face of “honor due to parents.”– That procedure did not prevent them, however, from using those

revenues for their own pleasures.

Religious Customs• Fasting– Only one fast demanded by OT law (Lev. 16:31)– Christ recognized value in fasting (Mt. 4:2; Lk. 5:35)– Fasting is a voluntary act arising from the heart.– Jews made an “art” of fasting to attract attention• The Mishna detailed Jewish traditions regarding fasting

– Conducted on Mondays and Thursdays of a designated period– Extremist Jews would fast every week on those days (cf. Lk. 18:12)– The strictest would affect their appearance

» Hair disarrayed and garments soiled» Whiten face to accentuate paleness (cf. Matt. 6:16-18)

• Not a demonstration of piety but a circus of ostentation• Jesus strongly condemned (Matt. 6:16-18).

Social Customs• Jewish attitudes toward the Gentiles– “Gentile” had become a designation of reproach

• Anywhere outside “the holy land” was unclean• Even dust from Gentile country was defiled (cf. Matt. 10:14)

– If a Jew entered a Gentile building, he was considered defiled for the remainder of the day, thus, excluded from religious exercises (cf. John 18:28; Acts 10:28).• According to Jewish rabbis, it was unlawful to eat meat that

had been used in pagan ceremonialism (cf. 1 Cor. 10).– The Gentiles frequently ridiculed Judaism with jokes.– Jesus broke down the “middle wall of partition”

between Jew and Gentile and created an international church!

Social Customs• Animosity between the Jews & the Samaritans– Origin and composition of Samaritan people is obscure

• Israelites left in Palestine when 10 tribes taken to Assyria• Mixture of Hebrew & Gentile ancestry• Strictly Gentiles• Could have been a mixture of all three classes

– The Jews considered Samaritans as aliens (Matt. 10:5; Luke 17:16, 18) and had no dealings with them (John 4:9)• Samaria was viewed a foreign land, and the word “Samaritan”

was used in a reproachful way (John 8:48).• Samaritans entertained similar hostilities toward the Jews (cf.

Luke 9:52-53).– Helps us understand better the Parable of the Good

Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)

Social Customs• Public association between men and women– Jewish woman not secluded but active in community

• Entertain guests in the home (cf. John 12:2ff)• Attend public festivals (marriage feasts) (cf. John 2:1ff)• Work with her husband in a business (cf. Acts 18:2-3)• Operate her own enterprise (cf. Acts 16:14)

– Careful not to be overly familiar with men on streets• Jewish Rabbis said: “Let no one talk with a woman in the street,

no, not with his own wife.”• Woman could be divorced for “familiarly talking with men”• Reminds of Jesus & Samaritan woman in John 4

– Limitations of women’s teaching and leadership role in the early church not based upon custom but Creation principles (1 Tim. 2:8-15; 1 Cor. 11:2-16; 14:34-35)

Social Customs• Marriage– The institution of marriage is regulated by universal

Divine law that transcends custom, but there are certain optional and variable traditions pertaining to marriage.

– In some instances, a marriage was arranged by parents.• Abraham arranged for Isaac to marry Rebekah (cf. Gen. 24).• 1 Corinthians 7:36-38 may be addressing arranged marriages

– During the first century, it appears that the general rule was that young people who were “of age” could arrange their own marriages.• Jewish rabbis set the minimum age for marriage:

– 12 years old for girls; 13 years old for boys– A boy should certainly be wed by the time he was 18-to-20

Social Customs• Marriage– Betrothal was a vital part of marriage in Biblical times.

• Once a prospective bride was chosen, a formal declaration of marital intent was made in the presence of two witnesses.

• The couple was then betrothed.• The betrothal period was fixed by law.

– 10-12 months for a maiden; 3 months for a widow• From the time of her betrothal until the marriage actually took

place, a woman was treated as if she were actually married.– The betrothal could not be dissolved except by divorce.– Breach of faithfulness was regarded as adultery.– When it was discovered that Mary was with child, while “betrothed” to

Joseph (Matt. 1:18), Joseph was mindful to “put her away.”

Social Customs• Marriage– Ceremony usually occurred on Wednesday afternoon

• On the day of the marriage, the bridegroom, accompanied by his “friends” (cf. John 3:29), went to the home of the bride.

• The bride’s father presented his daughter to her betrothed.– The marriage contract was read and sealed.

• That evening, bride was taken to her new home (groom being elsewhere) in presence of her virgin companions (cf. Psa. 45:14).– The bride’s companions lighted lamps (Matt. 25:1ff) and all awaited the

groom’s arrival.– When a messenger announced that he was near, the virgins would go

out to meet him and escort him back to the house.– The bride was adorned with ornaments (Jer. 2:32) and there was singing

and feasting (cf. Psa. 78:63; Jer. 7:34; John 2:1ff).• The marriage festivities usually lasted 7 days (cf. Judg. 14:12).

Social Customs• Death

– In the event of death in a Jewish home:• Body laid out and washed with warm water (Acts 9:37)• Wrapped in linen cloths with spices (Lk. 23:56; Jn. 19:39-40; 11:39)• Usually buried on the same day (Acts 5:6, 10; 8:2)• Prior to burial, mourners would gather to lament the dead• Women led the way to the burial place (cf. Luke 7:13-14)

– The dead were buried outside the cities (cf. Luke 7:12)• Sometimes in tombs, with niches carved in walls• Huge stone rolled across the tomb’s entrance• Cord stretched over & sealed with wax (cf. Mt. 27:60, 66; 28:2)• Whitewashed to prevent defilement from a corpse (cf. Num. 19:16).

– Christ used of Pharisees (Matt. 23:27; Luke 11:44)

– After funeral, neighbors prepared meal at deceased’s home• Intense period of mourning for seven days (Gen. 50:10)• Followed by lesser mourning for 30 days (Num. 20:29)