The story ends when Isaac brought Rebekah into the tent (Ge 24:67). There is no ceremony mentioned. But we must be careful to observe the customs to properly understand how God joins. In Israel there were agreements between the families of the betrothed as well as the individuals themselves. Engagement was equivalent to marriage in many ways. In Genesis 29:19 Jacob made an agreement with Laban to marry his daughter. When the proper time had passed he said "'Give me my wife, for my time is completed'" (:21) A feast was given (:22) and a bridal week followed (:27).

Where are they scripturally joined? Malachi 2:14 explains that "she is your companion and your wife by covenant." A marriage covenant is more than a temporary convenience covered by a prenuptial agreement. When two parties made mutual promises to each other in the Old Testament they formally walked between two halves of an animal sacrifice (Ge 15:9-11). That sealed a contract which had certain terms. However, with marriage the person pledges his whole self. Hebrews 13:4 says "marriage is to be held in honor among all." Then God becomes a witness (Mal 2:14). Jesus became a witness when he observed "'you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband'" (Jn 4:18). It seems that the first five fulfilled the marriage vows whereas with the last they were unmarried.