Exodus 22:16

a marriage-price] Heb. môhar, Arab, mahr; i.e. not a -dowry," but the price paid for the wife to her parents or family, according to ancient Hebrew custom (cf. Genesis 34:12; 1 Samuel 18:25). The same custom prevailed anciently, and prevails still, in many other parts of the world (see Post, Familienrecht, pp. 157 ff., 173 ff.): cf., for instance, the Homeric ἕδνα or ἔεδνα, Il.xvi. 178; Od.xvi. 391 f., xxi. 160 162, &c.; and, for Arabia, W. R. Smith, Marriage and Kinship in Ancient Arabia, p. 78 f. The môharwas paid at the time of betrothal; and its payment ratified the engagement. The amount varied naturally with the relative circumstances of the two parties; and was a subject of mutual agreement between the suitor and the girl's family (cf. Genesis 34:12).