Sunday, January 20, 2013

Anna Karenina: Part V, Chapter 4

Isaac and Rebecca Spied upon by Abimelech - Raphael

Isaac and Rebecca Spied upon by Abimelech, Raphel 


by Adriana
Part V, Chapter 4 of Anna Karenina is loaded with Biblical references. This scene depicts the wedding ceremony of Kitty and Levin. Originally, I wanted to keep all of these passages together in one post, but I kept exceeding the number of characters allowed for labels. So In order to label things correctly, I have split this post into two segments. Everything in bold is Biblical. The passages for today are highlighted.
When the deacon had finished the liturgical prayer, the priest turned to the bridal pair with a book: "Eternal God, that joinest together in love them that were separate," he read in a gentle, piping voice: "who hath ordained the union of holy wedlock that cannot be set asunder, Thou who didst bless Isaac and Rebecca and their descendants, according to Thy Holy Covenant; bless Thy servants, Konstantin and Yekaterina, leading them in the path of all good works. For gracious and merciful art Thou, our Lord, and glory be to Thee, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, now and forever and ever." 
"Amen!" the unseen choir sent floating again through the air. 
" 'Joinest together in love them that were separate.' What deep meaning in those words, and how they correspond with what one feels at this moment," thought Levin. "Is she feeling the same as I?"
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"Eternal God that joinest together in love them that were separate..."

Genesis 2:24
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."


This passage is repeated several times in the New Testament. You can find them allhere.

"who hath ordained the union of holy wedlock that cannot be set asunder..." 

Matthew 19:6

 "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

"Thou who didst bless Isaac and Rebecca and their descendants, according to Thy Holy Covenant..."
Genesis 17:19
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

You can read the entire covenant here.

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