King James Bible
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
This establishes marriage as creating a new primary family unit, requiring a shift in loyalties from parents to spouse. The Hebrew word for 'leave' implies both physical departure and emotional reorientation, marking a foundational transition in ancient Near Eastern society where extended families typically remained together. The verb 'cleave' denotes permanent adhesion and covenant loyalty, not merely romantic attachment. This prescribes marriage as an exclusive, enduring bond where the husband actively pursues unity with his wife as his closest human relationship. This culminating phrase describes the mysterious union of marriage—encompassing physical intimacy, shared life, and unified purpose. The singular 'flesh' emphasizes that two distinct individuals become a new, indivisible entity in God's design for marriage.