γαμέω

I marry

Definition

The verb γαμέω (gameō) primarily means 'to marry' or 'to take a spouse,' and it is used for both men and women entering into marriage. In the New Testament, it most often refers to the act of marrying, as seen in passages discussing marital relationships and regulations (e.g., Matthew 19:9, Mark 10:11). It can also be used in a broader sense to describe being given in marriage, as in the case of women (Matthew 22:30). In eschatological contexts, such as Matthew 24:38, it depicts the ordinary social activities, including marriage, that characterized life before judgment.

Biblical Usage

This verb appears 25 times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Gospels (especially Matthew and Mark) and 1 Corinthians. It is used in teachings on divorce and remarriage (Matthew 5:32, 19:9), in parables and discussions about resurrection (Matthew 22:25, 30), and in historical narratives (Mark 6:17). The usage consistently centers on legal and social marital unions, often in ethical or prophetic contexts.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek noun γάμος (gamos, G1062), meaning 'marriage' or 'wedding feast.' The root is connected to the idea of joining or union. Cognates include the verb γαμίζω (gamizō, G1061), meaning 'to give in marriage,' highlighting the familial and social dimensions of the act.

Semantic Range

Γαμέω is theologically significant as it underpins New Testament teachings on marriage, divorce, and celibacy. Jesus uses it to affirm the creation ordinance of marriage (Matthew 19:4-6) and to discuss exceptions for divorce, enriching understanding of marital covenant fidelity. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul employs it to discuss marriage versus singleness in light of the kingdom, showing how the term informs Christian ethics and eschatological hope.

In the first-century Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds, marriage was a legal and social institution central to family stability and economic life. Γαμέω often implied a formal contract and union, not merely cohabitation. Unlike some modern individualistic views, marriage was deeply embedded in kinship networks and societal duties, which informs passages on levirate marriage (Matthew 22:25) and marital obligations.

γαμίζω (gamizō, G1061) — specifically means to give someone in marriage, often by parental authority. ἐκγαμίζω (ekgamizō, G1548) — means to give in marriage, used in similar contexts but less frequently.

Word Details

Scripture References