This translation is from the New American Standard Bible. Several other translations are available here.
Excerpts from definitions of what seem to be key the Hebrew words are set out following the scriptural text. The sources are hyperlinked.
That is followed by excerpts from the scriptural texts that tell us what about God or His ways, what we should do, and what we should not do.
That is followed by commentary, in blue. The commentary is my own, so it is not entitled to any particular weight.
Scriptural Text
When a man takes a new wife, he shall not go out with the army nor be charged with any duty; he shall be free at home one year and shall give happiness to his wife whom he has taken.
Definitions
free = נָקִי= naqiy
clean, free from, exempt, clear, innocent; free or exempt from obligations
happiness = שָׂמַח= samach
to rejoice, be glad; to brighten up; blithe or gleesome; cheer up; to gladden, make joyful
KJV, ASV, Webster’s, HNV:
“cheer up”
CSB, NET, YLT:
“bring joy”
Darby:
“gladden”
What this passage tells us
What this passage tells us to do:
be free at home
give happiness to his wife.
What this passage tells us not to:
he shall not go out
Commentary
God wants wives to experience joy/happiness in their marriages.
God wants husbands to make a concentrated, intentional, focused, prioritized, effort to provide that joy to their wives.
· Concentrated in that it takes priority over other demands on his time/energy.
· Effort—he is to “give” happiness. That implies affirmative actions.
This is consistent with Genesis 2:18-25 in that it prioritizes the marital relationship over the husband’s other commitments/responsibilities.
Does this duty/priority continue past the first year of marriage?
· It seems to. Ephesians 5:25-30 and 1 Peter 3:17 both indicate that a husband is to strive to benefit his wife, they have no temporal limitations, and this seems to be a type of benefit.
How does a husband “give happiness”?
· Intentionally, actively, by making it a priority, as discussed above. This sounds a lot like the kind of love described in Ephesians 5:25-30 and 1 Peter 3:17.
· Through acts of practical service.
· Through learning and speaking her particular love languages
Indeed, the need to learn what those languages are might be the reason for this prioritization early in the marriage. The lessons learned then would continue to provide benefits beyond then.
· Time, attention, affection
· Sexually, as discussed in Proverbs 5:15-19.
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