What does the Bible say about a wife changing her last name at marriage?

Though God created male and female, He called their name Adam (or Man). Because they were “one flesh” (Gen. 2:24) they had one name. Society has wisely concurred with God's decision, in having the wife accept her husband's name. Some have resented this, but the only reason is pride and self-will, as though the creature is wiser than his Creator.

Though God created male and female, He called their name Adam (or Man). Because they were "one flesh" (ch.2:24) they had one name. Society has wisely concurred with God's decision, in having the wife accept her husband's name. some have resented this, but the only reason is pride and self-will, as though the creature is wiser than his Creator.

And what a figure for the Spirit of God to use. Marriage! Nothing on earth is so expressive of perfect oneness. “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh.” (Gen. 2:23.) And the Spirit of God applies these very words to us: “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” (Eph. 5:30.) Now we know that when a person becomes a bride, she enters into a new relationship — the old passes away. She signs her name for the last time on that very day — her very name ceases to be. True, she is the same person, but in a new position altogether. A relationship so permanent that death alone can dissolve the tie; and surely we may say, where there is sincere affection, no relationship so blessed.

Suppose the greatest lord in this land were to select some person in this room to be his wife. What would be the result of that relationship? If a young girl became the object of his affections and were married to him, what would be the consequence of that union? Why, for her at once a total change. She enters into all his dignity, and receives a new name from him. There is a new relationship; and if he has possessions without bound, he shares them, as we know, with her. All that is exactly what is true of the Christian. The union of the Christian with Christ is founded on the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus: he is by the power of the Spirit even now united to Christ at the right hand of God.

Naomi meets her returning daughter-in-law, not with her previous question "where hast thou gleaned to-day?" but "Who art thou my daughter?" It was not a question of benefit, but of relationship. It was not "What hast thou," but "Who art thou." For the bride is called by the name of the bridegroom. "One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel." Fitting words are these to describe the changed relationships of one but lately called Ruth the Moabitess.

And what was the cause of this shame and degradation? Why could these persons not trace their genealogy? Long years before, one of their forefathers married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite. No doubt it was considered a very good match for the young priest, and doubtless it brought with it wealth, riches and honour; for we have seen that Barzillai was a very great man, a very noble character (his very name meant "Iron of the Lord" to indicate he was "most firm and true"), and he was so immensely wealthy, that as we have seen, he could from his own private means take care of the king during his rejection.

It was no light thing to become the son-in-law of such a man; and the young priest, contrary to God's order, gave up his own name and took the name of his wife: and so in Ezra he stands with the name "Barzillai". But his own priestly name is lost; lost it would appear in the desire for worldly advancement, riches, wealth and honour. Doubtless he gained all these; and he probably thought the price he paid was very small; but how little did he think that his act, some five hundred years later would cost his children their blessed, privileged place of priests! But we cannot obtain advancement in the things of the world without loss in the things of Heaven. And in the end we will find that Heaven's riches and honour are more enduring than those of earth, no matter how tempting the offer may be now. (See Ezra 2:61).

So that, here we have "household" distinctly connected with Baptism. I have seen it argued that the Baptism of Households is in the Bible, but Household Baptism is not. Which is like saying that the Baptism of believers is in the Bible, but Believers' Baptism is not. For you cannot find the expression "Believers' Baptism." If Households were baptized then there was certainly Household Baptism. But it does not mention children, you say. It does not mention anything. What the Bible teaches everywhere is that the "Household" is always identified with the head of the house.

In marriage too, an individual loses his own identity and both become a new person: "And they twain shall be one flesh: so that they are no more twain but one flesh." (Matthew 10 v 8) If we take Christ as our pattern we should give our love to our partner, wanting only their love in return. (He loved us and gave Himself for us. Ephesians 5 v 25) and as this is displayed love will grow.

All the way through the Scriptures starting at Genesis chapter 2 we see that in marriage a man and woman leave their parents and are joined together by God to set up a distinct family unit.

Another feature of pious marriage life made prominent in this passage is that matrimonial union involves the establishment of a new household. The apostle says, “Because of this a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be united to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh” (ver. 31). By entrance into the marriage relationship, two parental homes are vacated, and a new Christian home set up by the married pair.