Husband
Husband (prop. אַישׁ or אנֵוֹשׁ, a man, ἀνήρ; also בִּעִל, master,חָתָן, spouse [in Ex 4:24, the phrase "bloody husband" has an allusion to the matrimonial figure in the covenant of circumcision (q.v.)], etc.), a married man, the house-band, or band which connects the whole family, and keeps it together. Johnson (Engl. Dict. s.v.) refers the term to the Runic, house- bonda, master of the house; but several of his instances seem allied to the sense of binding together, or assembling into union. So we say, to husband small portions of things, meaning to collect and unite them, to manage them to the greatest advantage, etc., which is by associating them together; making the most of them, not by dispersion, but by union. A man who was betrothed, but not actually married, was esteemed a husband (Mt 1:16,20; Lu 2:5). A man recently married was exempt from going out to war (De 20:7; De 24:5). The husband is described as the head of his wife, and as having control over her conduct, so as to supersede her vows, etc. (Nu 30:6-8). He is also the guide of her youth (Pr 2:17). Sarah called her husband Abraham lord, a title which was continued long after (Ho 2:16) [baali, my lord]. The apostle Peter seems to recommend it as a title implying great respect, as well as affection (1Pe 3:6). Perhaps it was rather used as an appellation in public than in private. Our own word master [Mr.] (and so correlatively mistress) is sometimes used by married women when speaking of their husbands; but the ordinary use made of this word to all persons, and on all occasions, deprives it of any claim to the expression of particular affection or respect, though it was probably in former ages implied by it or connected with it, as it still is in the instances of proprietors, chiefs, teachers, and superiors, whether in civil life, in polite arts, or in liberal studies. SEE MARRIAGE.
