Ask me. On the practice of purchasing wives, De La Roque says, Properly speaking, a young man who would marry must purchase his wife; and fathers among the Arabs are never so happy as when they have many daughters. They form part of the riches of the house. Accordingly, when a young man would treat with a person whose daughter he is inclined to marry, he says to him, 'Will you give me your daughter for fifty sheep, for six camels, or for a dozen cows?' according to the rank of her family, and the circumstances of him who desires to marry her.

dowry.

Genesis 24:53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah...

Genesis 29:18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.

Genesis 31:41 Thus have I been twenty years in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your cattle...

Exodus 22:16,17 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife...

Deuteronomy 22:28,29 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found...

1 Samuel 18:25-27 And Saul said, Thus shall you say to David, The king desires not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines...

2 Samuel 3:14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal...

Hosea 3:2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:

Matthew 14:17 And they say to him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.