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Bride, Bridechamber, Bridegroom

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

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(Eng. "nymph") "a bride, or young wife," John 3:29; Revelation 18:23; 21:2,9; 22:17 , is probably connected with the Latin nubo, "to veil;" the "bride" was often adorned with embroidery and jewels (see Revelation 21:2 ), and was led veiled from her home to the "bridegroom." Hence the secondary meaning of "daughter-in-law," Matthew 10:35; Luke 12:53 . See DAUGHTER-IN-LAW. For the relationship between Christ and a local church, under this figure, see 2 Corinthians 11:2; regarding the whole church, Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 22:17 .

"a bridegroom," occurs fourteen times in the Gospels, and in Revelation 18:23 . "The friend of the bridegroom," John 3:29 , is distinct from "the sons of the bride-chamber" who were numerous. When John the Baptist speaks of "the friend of the Bridegroom," he uses language according to the customs of the Jews.

signifies (a) "the room or dining hall in which the marriage ceremonies were held," Matthew 22:10; some mss. have gamos, "a wedding," here; (b) "the chamber containing the bridal bed," "the sons of the bridechamber" being the friends of the bridegroom, who had the charge of providing what was necessary for the nuptials, Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:19; Luke 5:34 .