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To: vmatt
Who then is the friend of the bridegroom?

Not sure at this second, but I know who the bride is.
2 Corinthians 11:2 - I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to Christ to present you as a pure bride to her one husband.
31,459 posted on 03/03/2002 6:52:04 AM PST by NATE4"ONE NATION"
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To: NATE4"ONE NATION";Angelo
Who then is the friend of the bridegroom?

Not sure at this second, but I know who the bride is. 2 Corinthians 11:2 - I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to Christ to present you as a pure bride to her one husband.

Consider the possibility that the bride was a very special and select group, separate from the friend of the bridegroom or the children of the bridechamber. Just as the ten virgins below were not the bride but children of the bridechamber.

Matthew 25: 1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

1 Strong's Number: 3565 Greek: numphe

(Eng. "nymph") "a bride, or young wife," Jhn 3:29; Rev 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 Rev 21:2), and was led veiled from her home to the "bridegroom." Hence the secondary meaning of "daughter-in-law," Mat 10:35; Luk 12:53. See DAUGHTER-IN-LAW. For the relationship between Christ and a local church, under this figure, see 2Cr 11:2; regarding the whole church, Eph 5:23-32; Rev 22:17.

2 Strong's Number: 3566 Greek: numphios

"a bridegroom," occurs fourteen times in the Gospels, and in Rev 18:23. "The friend of the bridegroom," Jhn 3:29, is distinct from "the sons of the bride-chamber" who were numerous. (Angelo, can you shed any light on this point?)When John the Baptist speaks of "the friend of the Bridegroom," he uses language according to the customs of the Jews.

3 Strong's Number: 3567 Greek: numphon

signifies (a) "the room or dining hall in which the marriage ceremonies were held," Mat 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, Mat 9:15; Mar 2:19; Luk 5:34.

31,460 posted on 03/03/2002 7:41:15 AM PST by vmatt
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