Don’t most traditional wedding ceremonies begin with the presiding minister asking, “Who gives this woman in marriage”?
My wife’s father was mentally ill so his brother acted in his stead at our wedding.
FWIW.
Yes. Because traditionally, women were the property of their father until custody was passed to the husband.
“Who gives this woman?” Refers to a woman leaving the headship of her father and going to the headship of her new husband.
It does not at all mean that a woman is sold or handed out as unwilling property.
The level of biblical ignorance on this thread is very discouraging.
No, girls and women could not be sold, or raped. Not even slaves, who were indentured servants except in the case of pow’s, could be raped or molested. Rape was a death penalty crime. Sheesh.