Marriage Age in the Bible
The Bible does not specify a minimum age for marriage. Just like in Islam, early Jewish and Christian communities followed cultural norms, girls were married young with their father’s permission, not based on modern feminist ideas of “choice.” Even in Europe, from the time of the Bible until the 19th century, girls between 7 and 12 were married with full Church approval. Virgin Mary herself was likely around 12, 14 years old when she gave birth, and not a single verse objects to her age. The Bible makes it clear that it’s the father’s authority, not the girl’s consent – that matters in marriage. So ask yourself: why didn’t God declare a minimum marriage age in the Bible? Why did He allow girls to marry that young for over 1800 years, until modern secular minds came up with today’s restrictions?
📖1 Corinthians 7:36-37
If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his virgin, if she is past her youth and it must be so, let him do as he wishes: he does not sin; let them marry, But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart – to keep her as his virgin – he will do well.”
Explanation:
- His virgin” – The girl is owned by the man (commonly interpreted as her father). She has no voice, no say, no consent in this verse.
- Let him do as he wishes” – It’s his decision alone. If he wants to marry her off, it’s fine. If he wants to keep her a virgin (meaning under his household and unmarried), that’s also “doing well.”
- Has his desire under control” – This part is the most disturbing. The verse assumes the man might be tempted sexually toward the virgin in his care. If he can’t control that – he should marry her off quickly. That’s the solution given.
Hard Truth:
Christianity promotes this in the Bible – that a father holds sexual control and marriage rights over his daughter, and her personal will is completely ignored, It’s all about his behavior, his desires, his decision – nothing about her feelings, choice, or readiness, The Bible doesn’t say “ask the virgin,” it says “if he desires to do so” – showing total male dominance.
📖1 Corinthians 7:38 (ESV)
“So then he who gives her in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do even better.”
It’s clear – the Bible gives the full right to the father. The girl has no say. The culture and scripture both supported patriarchal authority, not feminist freedom.
This proves that even in Christianity, modern age of consent and freedom of choice are NOT Biblical ideas – they are Western post-19th-century inventions. Before that, girls were treated like family property, and fathers had full say, And unlike today, girls weren’t confused between OnlyFans and modesty – they followed their fathers, not their feelings.
The Irony:
This Christian verse indirectly justifies child grooming under the label of “if she’s past her youth,” and if he’s tempted, the quick-fix is marriage – not morality, not repentance, but possession by marriage, So next time someone quotes Christianity as the moral compass – point them to 1 Corinthians 7:36-37, and ask:
- “What part of this protects the woman?”
Because all I see is male-centered lust management with zero accountability.
Additional Information
Christian “family values” in 1 Corinthians 7:36-37? Paul says if a father thinks he’s not behaving properly toward his virgin, meaning his own daughter or a girl under his care -and she’s past her youth (likely around 13-14-15 or so), he can do whatever he wants: marry her off or keep her unmarried. No consent from the girl, no voice – just the father’s lust being the deciding factor. If he can’t control himself, Paul’s solution isn’t self-restraint or repentance, it’s to quickly arrange her marriage so he doesn’t sin. This isn’t guidance, it’s a license for grooming, dressed up as holiness. Jesus never taught anything like this, but Christianity today treats Paul’s personal opinions as sacred while calling it “family values.” Meanwhile, Islam requires the woman’s consent, forbids forced marriage, and condemns even lustful thoughts toward someone under one’s care. So the next time someone brags about Christian family morals, remind them: Paul literally told fathers to marry off their daughters if they start feeling tempted, Oh, and by the way, I’m still single. So if you’re a Christian dad getting tempted by your daughter, feel free to email me. I’ll marry her, but only if she’s evangelical.