Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "bridegroom" holds significant theological and symbolic meaning, often representing Christ in His relationship with the Church. The imagery of the bridegroom is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating themes of covenant, love, and eschatological fulfillment.
Old Testament ContextThe concept of the bridegroom is first introduced in the Old Testament, where marriage serves as a metaphor for the covenant relationship between God and Israel. In
Isaiah 62:5 , the prophet declares, "For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you." This passage highlights the joy and commitment inherent in the divine-human relationship, portraying God as a loving and faithful bridegroom.
The Song of Solomon, a poetic book celebrating love and marriage, also employs the bridegroom imagery. While primarily a celebration of human love, it has been traditionally interpreted as an allegory of God's love for His people. The bridegroom in this context is seen as a figure of divine love and desire for intimate relationship with His chosen ones.
New Testament FulfillmentIn the New Testament, the bridegroom imagery is explicitly applied to Jesus Christ. John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the bridegroom in
John 3:29 : "The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete." Here, John acknowledges Jesus as the long-awaited bridegroom, whose presence brings joy and fulfillment.
Jesus Himself uses the bridegroom metaphor in His teachings. In the parable of the ten virgins (
Matthew 25:1-13), the bridegroom's arrival signifies the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. The wise virgins, who are prepared for the bridegroom's arrival, represent those who are ready for Christ's return. This parable underscores the importance of vigilance and readiness in anticipation of the eschatological wedding feast.
The Apostle Paul further develops this imagery in his epistles. In
Ephesians 5:25-27 , Paul instructs husbands to love their wives "just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless." Here, Christ is depicted as the bridegroom who sacrificially loves and purifies His bride, the Church.
Eschatological SignificanceThe culmination of the bridegroom imagery is found in the book of Revelation, where the marriage supper of the Lamb is described.
Revelation 19:7-9 proclaims, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure." This eschatological vision portrays the ultimate union between Christ and His Church, a celebration of divine love and eternal communion.
Throughout Scripture, the bridegroom motif serves as a powerful symbol of God's covenantal love, Christ's redemptive work, and the anticipated consummation of the divine-human relationship. It calls believers to a life of faithfulness, readiness, and joyful expectation of the eternal union with their Savior.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) A man newly married, or just about to be married.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BRIDEGROOM; BRIDEGROOM, FRIEND OFbrid'-groom;
SeeMARRIAGE.
Greek
3566. numphios -- abridegroom... a
bridegroom. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: numphios Phonetic
Spelling: (noom-fee'-os) Short Definition: a
bridegroom Definition: a
bridegroom...4352. proskuneo -- to do reverence to
... 4352 () has been (metaphorically) described as "the kissing-ground" between
believers (the Bride) and Christ (the heavenlyBridegroom)....
3933. parthenos -- a maiden, a virgin
... a female (virgin), beyond puberty but not yet married; (figuratively) when they
are pure (chaste), ie faithful to Christ their heavenlyBridegroom (2 Cor 11:2...
3567. numphon -- the bridechamber
... chamber. Word Origin from numphe Definition the bridechamber NASB Word
Usagebridegroom (3), wedding hall (1). bridechamber. From...
Strong's Hebrew
2860a. chathan -- daughter's husband,bridegroom... 2860, 2860a. chathan. 2860b . daughter's husband,
bridegroom.
Transliteration: chathan Short Definition:
bridegroom. Word Origin
...2860. chathan -- daughter's husband,bridegroom
... daughter's husband,bridegroom. Transliteration: chathan Phonetic Spelling:
(khaw-thawn') Short Definition:bridegroom.bridegroom, husband, son in law...
1167. baal -- owner, lord
... Word Origin from baal Definition owner, lord NASB Word Usage allies* (1), archers*
(1), bird* (1), bound (1),bridegroom (1), captain (1), case* (1), charmer...
Library
Behold theBridegroom Cometh
... Behold theBridegroom cometh. tr., John Brownlie 7,7,7,7,8,6.... (troparia). I.
Behold theBridegroom cometh. At the hour of midnight drear,....
Behold theBridegroom! Hark the Cry,
... HYMNS FROM THE EARLY GREEK POETS NOT FOUND IN THE SERVICE-BOOKS OF THE GREEK CHURCHST.
METHODIUS Behold theBridegroom! Hark the cry,.... I. Behold theBridegroom!...
July the Eleventh the Friend of theBridegroom
... JULY The Eleventh THE FRIEND OF THEBRIDEGROOM. "He that hath the bride is the
bridegroom." "John 3:23-36.... And this phrase tends to displace theBridegroom....
TheBridegroom Comes! My Soul, Awake,
... JUDGMENT TheBridegroom comes! My soul, awake,. 8,8,8,8 tr., John Brownlie.
I. TheBridegroom comes! My soul, awake,. And slumber...
OurBridegroom and Our King Being Everywhere
... THE FIFTH CENTURY 10 OurBridegroom and our King being everywhere. OurBridegroom
and our King being everywhere, our Lover and Defender...
That Christ is theBridegroom, Having the Church as his Bride...
... Second Book. 19. That Christ is theBridegroom, having the Church as His
bride, from which spiritual children were to be born. In...
The IncomparableBridegroom and his Bride
... The IncomparableBridegroom and His Bride. A Sermon (No.2469). Intended for Reading
on Lord's-Day, June 14th, 1896,. Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,....
The Call of Levi the Publican Christ in Relation to the Baptist....
... Chapter XI."The Call of Levi the Publican Christ in Relation to the Baptist. Christ
as theBridegroom. The Parable of the Old Wine and the New....
O virgin-Youth that Art BecomeBridegroom, Move to a Little...
... O virgin-youth that art becomebridegroom, move to a little jealousy thy mind, towards
her who is the wife of thy youth: cut off the attachments which she had...
Of the Desire to Know theBridegroom in his Nature
... THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE: THE FIRST BOOK CHAPTER XXVI. OF
THE DESIRE TO KNOW THEBRIDEGROOM IN HIS NATURE. A Man who...
Thesaurus
Bridegroom (23 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BRIDEGROOM;
BRIDEGROOM, FRIEND OF. brid'-groom;
See MARRIAGE. Multi-Version Concordance
Bridegroom (23 Occurrences).
...Bridegroom's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceBridegroom's (2 Occurrences). Matthew 9:15 "Can the
bridegroom's party mourn," He replied, "as long as thebridegroom is with them?...
Wedding (24 Occurrences)
... Wedding (24 Occurrences). Matthew 9:15 Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of
thebridegroom mourn, as long as thebridegroom is with them?...
Attendants (30 Occurrences)
... Attendants (30 Occurrences). Matthew 9:15 Jesus said to them, "Can the friends
of thebridegroom mourn, as long as thebridegroom is with them?...
Guests (43 Occurrences)
... Guests (43 Occurrences). Matthew 9:15 Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of
thebridegroom mourn, as long as thebridegroom is with them?...
Bride (31 Occurrences)
... etc.). The relation between Christ and his church is set forth under the
figure of that between abridegroom and bride (John 3:29)....
Bride-chamber (3 Occurrences)
... (hoi huioi tou numphonos): These were friends or companions of thebridegroom and
were usually very numerous (Matthew 9:15 Mark 2:19 Luke 5:34)....
Rejoices (30 Occurrences)
... John 3:29 He who has the bride is thebridegroom; but the friend of thebridegroom,
who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of thebridegroom's voice...
Party (47 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 9:15 "Can thebridegroom's party mourn," He replied, "as
long as thebridegroom is with them? But other days will...
Friends (152 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Matthew 9:15 Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of thebridegroom
mourn, as long as thebridegroom is with them? But the...
Resources
What is a bridegroom? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the church is the bride of Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the marriage supper of the Lamb? | GotQuestions.orgBridegroom: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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