Bible Dictionary
Affinity
Affinity is a relationship formed by marriage or alliance. Scripture uses the term for marriage alliances and regulates relationships formed through marriage.
Definition
Affinity is a relationship formed by marriage or alliance rather than by blood. In biblical usage, it particularly describes marriage alliances between individuals, families, rulers, or peoples.
Biblical Usage
The Old Testament uses the term for Solomon’s marriage alliance with Pharaoh, Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab, and the proposed joining of Israel with peoples practicing abominations. The law also prohibited marriage within specified degrees of affinity.
Historical Background
The Hebrew term translated “affinity” refers in the cited passages to marriage alliances, not merely to family or political relationships. Relationship by blood is distinguished as consanguinity.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Relationship by alliance (2 Chr. 18:1) or by marriage (1 Kings 3:1). Marriages are prohibited within certain degrees of affinity, enumerated Lev. 18:6-17. Consanguinity is relationship by blood.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Marriage]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-fin'-i-ti (chathan "to join one-self"): This term is used three times in the Old Testament:</p><p>(1) in 1Ki 3:1, where we read that "Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh King of Egypt",</p><p>(2) in 2Ch 18:1, where it is stated that Jehoshaphat "joined affinity with Ahab," and</p><p>(3) in Ezr 9:14, where it is asked "Shall we .... join in affinity with the peoples that do these abominations?" The Hebrew word thus rendered in the above three passages refers in each case to marriage alliances rather than to family or political relationships.</p><p>See MARRIAGE; FAMILY.</p><p>W. W. Davies</p>