Bridegroom
חָתָן/BRYD-groom/
“One who is to be married”
Summary
A man about to be married or newly married, used symbolically for Christ in His relationship to the Church.
☩Marriage Customs
The bridegroom was the central figure in wedding celebrations. He was attended by companions called 'friends of the bridegroom' who rejoiced with him. Isaiah describes the bridegroom adorning himself with ornaments, and the Law exempted newly married men from military service for one year.
Key verses:Isaiah 61:10Deuteronomy 24:5John 3:29
☩Christ as Bridegroom
Jesus applied the title to Himself, explaining why His disciples did not fast while He was with them. The days would come when the bridegroom would be taken away. The parable of the ten virgins portrays Christ as the bridegroom whose coming the Church awaits.
Key verses:Matthew 9:15Matthew 25:1-13Mark 2:19-20
Related Verses23 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Bridegroom," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Bridegroom," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.George Morrish, "Bridegroom," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).