DOWRY
In eastern countries the bridegroom was required to pay the father of his betrothed a stipulated portion, in money or other valuables, portion, in money or other valuables, proportioned to the rank and station of the family to which she belonged; this was the dowry. Jacob purchased his wives by his services to their father, Genesis 1:29-27; Genesis 1:34; Exodus 22:16, Exodus 1:22; 1 Samuel 18:25; Hosea 3:2.