Heimbach further explains this distinction. “In Semitic practice, the moral and legal obligations of marriage began at betrothal, something that took place before the wedding and before a couple started having a sexual relationship. But betrothal meant a lot more than getting engaged. Engaged couples are not married. They plan to get married but definitely are not married yet. By contrast, a betrothed couple in Bible times was morally and legally married. They already were husband and wife in legal