Betroth

"To promise "by one's truth." Men and women were betrothed when" they were engaged to be married. This usually took place a year or more before marriage. From the time of betrothal the woman was regarded as the lawful wife of the man to whom she was "betrothed (Deut. 28:30; Judg. 14:2, 8; Matt. 1:18-21). The term" is figuratively employed of the spiritual connection between God "and his people (Hos. 2:19, 20)."