The following is my expanded comment on a recent Facebook status from an acquaintance that stated" The fact that you can't sell your daughter for three goats and a cow means we have already redefined marriage". This (jocular?) statement lacks merit on a few fronts, not the least of which is that marriage has never been Biblically nor legally defined by the exchange of livestock. This tactic of portraying marriage as some archaic property exchange only upheld in nomadic societies is not accurate historically, Biblically, nor logically. I understand my arguments will anger some, but I just call 'em like I see 'em.
"Marriage would not be redefined by the content of the dowry. Indeed, this could have been paid in multiple ways including payment of animals, money, or servitude for an agreed period of time. Biblically, marriage was defined when it was first instituted by God between Adam and Eve. Indeed, no dowry at all was paid nor was there any ceremony. God made a woman for the man as a helper and told them to be fruitful and multiply."
"Marriage would not be redefined by the content of the dowry. Indeed, this could have been paid in multiple ways including payment of animals, money, or servitude for an agreed period of time. Biblically, marriage was defined when it was first instituted by God between Adam and Eve. Indeed, no dowry at all was paid nor was there any ceremony. God made a woman for the man as a helper and told them to be fruitful and multiply."
