OT Jewish/Isreal Marriage Practice...Age

[JRKH]

A subject came up on another board concerning whether “Fornication” between two unmarried people was expressly prohibited in the OT.

During the course of that conversation, I had made the comment that I thought that children, especially girls were were married, or at least “betrothed” quite young
However, no one really had much information on this and at what age young Hebrews became betrothed etc… So I thought I’d ask over here.

Anyone have any ideas?

Peace
James

 

[Garyjohn2]

I’ve heard that Mary was as young as 14 when the angel Gabriel visited her, and she was betrothed already. However, I do not remember the source I heard this from!

 

[JRKH]

I’ve heard that Mary was as young as 14 when the angel Gabriel visited her, and she was betrothed already. However, I do not remember the source I heard this from!

I have heard this too, but like you I do not know the source.

I hope someone can offer some insight into this.

Peace
James

 

[Garyjohn2]

This looks like to be a possible source of this “rumor.”

From wikipedia page on St. Joseph:

The apocryphal History of Joseph the Carpenter, written in the 5th century and framed as a biography of Joseph dictated by Jesus, describes how Joseph, aged 90 (the Protoevangelium had not given Joseph a specific age), a widower with four sons and two daughters, is given charge of the twelve year old Mary, who then lives in his household raising his youngest son James the Less (the supposed author of the Protoevengelium) until she is ready to be married at age 14½.

My guess is that OT and ancient Jewish marriage customs were the same as marriage customs all over the world at that time (and some parts of the world today); people, especially women, were married off at a much younger age than is common today.