* betrothed a wife.
   It was customary among the Jews to contract matrimony,
   espouse, or betroth, and for a considerable time to leave the
   parties in the houses of the respective parents; and when the
   bridegroom had made proper preparations, then the bride was
   brought home to his house, and the marriage consummated.  The
   provisions in this verse refer to a case of this kind; though
   the Jews extend it to him who had newly consummated his
   marriage, and even to him who had married his brother's wife.
   It was deemed a peculiar hardship for a person to be obliged
   to go to battle, who had left a house unfinished, newly
   purchased land half tilled, or a wife with whom he had just
   contracted marriage.

  22:23-25  24:5  Mt 1:18 
 * lest he die.
  28:30  Lu 14:18-20  2Ti 2:4