The quotation of Genesis 2:24 in Ephesians 5:31 found within the Household Codes (Ephesians 5:21-6:9) has often been understood to support the author's argument for a harmonious marriage relationship. Unfortunately, what has been largely neglected in this reading is its wider relationship to the extended family, particularly to the patriarch of the family. This paper will briefly examine the ancient patriarchal familial relationships and will make some comparisons to the traditional Chinese disapora familial practices, giving particular attention to the marriage custom. Drawing insights from a Chinese cultural and hermeneutical reading, this paper explores the possibilities that the quotation of Genesis 2:24 can be read as a subtle admonition to the parents of the newly wedded couple not to meddle with the affairs of the newly formed family unit. This paper will also consider some implications of this reading in relation to the traditional Chinese cultural practices.