Dr. Mace contends that the underlying basis of our marriage system in Western Civilization derives from the Christian ideal, and that this ideal cannot be understood apart from the Hebrew conception upon which it was based. He claims that the New Testament teaching on marriage is not fully intelligible apart from its Old Testament and Semitic background. His careful study of Hebrew ideas and ideals concerning sex, marriage, parenthood, and family life, fills a serious gap in the existing literature, and presents the reader with some novel and challenging conclusions.