Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5742 wedding

5742 wedding

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5742 wedding

The public acknowledgment and celebration of a couple's marriage. The wedding followed betrothal and was a preliminary to sexual union. The occasion was marked by feasting, singing and rejoicing. The bride wore a wedding dress, jewellery and ornaments and both she and the groom were waited on by attendants.

Wedding garments

The bride's wedding dress

Psalm 45:13 See also Genesis 24:65; Ezekiel 16:10; Revelation 19:7-8; Revelation 21:2

The bride's jewellery and ornaments

Isaiah 49:18 See also Isaiah 61:10; Jeremiah 2:32; Ezekiel 16:11-12

Wedding festivities

Weddings were occasions for rejoicing

Jeremiah 33:11

Wedding festivities might last for a week or two:

Genesis 29:27-28; Judges 14:12 Songs 3:11; Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 7:34

Wedding songs

Psalm 45:1 Title; Psalm 78:63

The wedding banquet

Judges 14:10 See also Genesis 29:21-22 A feast celebrates Jacob's wedding; Matthew 22:2 a wedding banquet given by a king for his son; John 2:3-10 Jesus Christ changes water into wine at a wedding feast; Revelation 19:9 the marriage supper of the Lamb

Guests and attendants at weddings

Wedding guests

John 2:1-2 See also Matthew 22:3-10,11-12 Wedding guests were expected to wear appropriate clothes; Luke 14:8-10

Attendants on the groom

John 3:29 See also Judges 14:11,20; Matthew 9:15 pp Mark 2:19 pp Luke 5:34

Bridesmaids

Psalm 45:14 See also Matthew 25:1-10

Wedding gifts

1 Kings 9:16 See also Genesis 24:59; Genesis 29:24,29; Judges 1:14-15

Elements in the wedding ceremony

Covering the bride

Sometimes the groom would cover the bride with his cloak as a symbol of protection: