AFFINITY

a-fin'-i-ti (chathan "to join one-self"): This term is used three times in the Old Testament: (1) in 1 Kings 3:1, where we read that "Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh King of Egypt", (2) in 2 Chronicles 18:1, where it is stated that Jehoshaphat "joined affinity with Ahab," and (3). in Ezra 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.

See MARRIAGE ; FAMILY .

W. W. Davies

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.