In the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel and the broader Near Eastern and Mediterranean worlds, betrothal at a young age was common practice. This practice was influenced by several factors:

1. Life Expectancy: Life expectancy was significantly lower in ancient times compared to modern standards. People tended to marry and start families earlier in life as part of the natural cycle of society.
2. Societal Structure: Marriages were often arranged by families for economic, social, or political reasons. These arrangements could solidify alliances between families, secure inheritances, and ensure social stability.
3. Purity and Protection: Betrothal at a young age was also a means of ensuring moral purity according to the cultural and religious norms of the time. Virginity was highly valued, especially for women, and betrothal helped protect against moral impropriety.
4. Economic Considerations: Marriages often involved dowries or bride prices, which were integral to the economic structures of families and societies. Arranging marriages early could secure economic advantages or stability for both parties involved.

Although the Bible reflects the historical and cultural practices of its time, it also places emphasis on the sanctity of marriage as a covenant before God. For example, Ephesians 5:31-33 quotes from Genesis, affirming the importance of the marital bond:

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

These passages, while not directly addressing the age of betrothal, highlight the value placed on marriage as an institution ordained by God, meant to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church. The cultural practices surrounding marriage, including the age of betrothal, are seen within the context of ensuring that this covenant relationship starts and continues in a manner that is honorable and in accordance with the societal norms of the time.

The Scriptures do not specify the age of Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the time she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. In the cultural and historical context of Mary’s time, it was customary for Jewish girls to be betrothed at a young age, often in their early to mid-teens. Thus, while the Bible does not provide a specific age, it is within reason to infer that Mary might have been in her early teens when she was visited by the angel Gabriel and received the announcement of her divine pregnancy, as described in Luke 1:26-38:

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. … And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

This passage emphasizes the miraculous nature of Jesus’ conception and Mary’s faith, rather than her age.