Bridegroom

The bridegroom and the wedding ceremony

The bridegroom wore special clothing

Isaiah 61:10 LEB

I will rejoice greatly in Yahweh; my being shall shout in exultation in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns himself with a head wrap like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewelry.

The bridegroom took part in the procession to the bride’s home

See also Mt 25:1–12

The bridegroom had a group of companions

Judges 14:10–11 LEB

His father went down to the woman, and Samson prepared there a feast, as young men were accustomed to doing this. When they saw him, they took thirty companions, and they were with him.

The bridegroom had a special friend as an attendant

John 3:29 LEB

The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete.

See also Jdg 14:20–15:2; Jn 2:7–10 The “master of the banquet” was probably the friend who attended the bridegroom.

The bridegroom was sometimes responsible for giving the wedding banquet

Judges 14:10 LEB

His father went down to the woman, and Samson prepared there a feast, as young men were accustomed to doing this.

See also Jn 2:9–10

The bridegroom led his bride to a specially prepared bridal chamber

Joel 2:16 LEB

gather the people, consecrate the assembly; assemble the elders, gather the children, even those who are breast-feeding; let the bridegroom come out from his private room, and the bride from her canopy.

See also Ps 19:4–5

Bridegrooms were associated with happiness and rejoicing

Jeremiah 7:34 LEB

And I will cause to disappear from the towns of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem the sound of jubilation, and the sound of joy, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, for the land will become a site of ruins.

See also Is 62:5; Je 16:9; Je 25:10; Je 33:11; Re 18:23

Bridegrooms were excused from military service and certain other duties

Deuteronomy 24:5 LEB

“When a man takes a new wife he shall not go out with the army, and he shall not be obligated with anything; he shall be free from obligation, to stay at home for one year, and he shall bring joy to his wife that he took.

See also Dt 20:1–7

Jesus Christ is portrayed as a bridegroom

Mt 9:14–15 Jesus Christ refers to himself as the bridegroom.

See also Eph 5:22–33

The future coming of Jesus Christ compared to the sudden arrival of the bridegroom

Matthew 25:1–10 LEB

“Then the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were foolish and five were wise. For when the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take olive oil with them. But the wise ones took olive oil in flasks with their lamps. And when the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. But in the middle of the night there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your olive oil, because our lamps are going out!’ But the wise ones answered saying, “Certainly there will never be enough for us and for you! Go instead to those who sell olive oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they had gone away to buy it the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding celebration, and the door was shut.