Does the Bible condemn Child Marriage?

Christians often bring up the subject of child marriage and target Islam. They have nothing better to discuss about then subjects which they themselves have no understanding of.  Now one has to understand during ancient times child marriage was a norm and had no negative effects on its people unlike now. it must also be understood that different times had different lifestyles. one cannot imagine how they lived  during those ancient times, where technology had no room in any home.  Picture this, your living at a time where there is no electricity, phones, tv/radio, cars/ planes,  school/university, judicial law, a government, hospitals, nothing like what we have and depend on.

Ask yourself this question, what kinds of rights did women have during those days? what kind of a life would a person who lives with such hardship offer his daughter? women during ancient times were not allowed to inherit property nor were they allowed to speak for themselves. they did what they were told to do. During ancient times, a girl wouldn’t go school because there was no school. She would stay home and learn household work. Learn how to cook clean maintain the home. So at an early age young girls and boys would get married. It was a norm during those time a common practice.

Just for the record, I want to emphasis Islam is the only religion which gave women their rights. Women were allowed inheritance, to study and teach. They were given a voice where they can speak for themselves and live with dignity. Women were given to choice on marriage, and the list goes on.

Think of it what would a young girl do during ancient time? There was nothing she could possibly do other then get married and be a house wife. It was a custom and tradition during those days. It was their way of life, it wasn’t only in Arabia this was happening all around the world. All countries during ancient times had their daughters married at a very young age. Christianity was no exception. It is clear from the New Testament and old Testament that marrying a young girl was a norm. let’s read a both the New and Old Testament.

But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. (1 Corinthians 7:36)

-------------------

Matthew Henry Commentary

7:36-40 The apostle is thought to give advice here about the disposal of children in marriage. In this view, the general meaning is plain. Children should seek and follow the directions of their parents as to marriage.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 36. - Uncomely. If any father thinks, by keeping his virgin daughter unmarried, he is acting in a way which may cause sin or scandal, then let him permit her to marry her suitor.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

36. behaveth … uncomely—is not treating his daughter well in leaving her unmarried beyond the flower of her age, and thus debarring her from the lawful gratification of her natural feeling as a marriageable woman.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

36. his virgin] i.e. his daughter. The advice here given is to parents. In St Paul’s time, and in most continental countries now, it is the parents who decide on the marriage of their children. In France, and in some other foreign countries, the young people very often do not even see one another before they are contracted. But St Paul thinks it might in some cases be ‘unseemly’ conduct on the part of a parent to refuse a proposal of marriage for a daughter who desired to serve God in the married state.

Geneva Study Bible

{17} But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he {h} sinneth not: let them marry.

(17) Now he turns himself to the parents, in whose power and authority their children are, warning them that according to the former doctrine they consider what is proper and convenient for their children. That they neither deprive them of the necessary remedy against incontinency, nor force them to marry, if neither their will does lead them, nor any necessity urges them. And again he praises virginity, but of itself, and not in all.

We can clearly read from the New Testament child marriage was allowed. Paul is encouraging parents to marry their daughters at an early age. Commentators have no difficulty expressing this. Again it was a norm during those days for children’s to get married. How about the Old Testament?

We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for? (songs of Solomon 8:8)

There’s no need to elaborate the above verse, it’s crystal clear. Young girl, no breast, no marriage! There are many many verses found in the Old Testament speaking of child brides.

Rabecca was a child bride

Dinah was a child bride

Esther was a child bride

Abhishag was a child bride

Ruth was a child bride

if the Bible has no shame in speaking of child bride, why then do Christians feel so awkward? What are Christians so embarrassed of bringing up Bible verses which speaks of child marriage. If child marriage was such a problem why then did Jesus not make mention of it? . why is the Bible silent on the age consent for marriage? 

a peer-reviewed academic journal by Bruce W. Winter on 1 Corinthians 7:36. He provides evidence the subject could be either male or female using Greek. He also states the verse is speaking about young couples who are engaged thus, not to delay their marriage (child marriage)

As a father figure (12:14; 1 Cor 4:15), Paul has arranged for his children’s betrothal (11:2; see comment on 1 Cor 7:36–38).207 Fathers were responsible for protecting their daughters’ virginity from sexual predators (Deut 22:15–

21), [1-2 Corinthians Craig S. Keener pp. 225]