The term "bridechamber" refers to the room or place where a wedding celebration occurs, particularly in the context of ancient Jewish customs. It is a significant concept in biblical literature, symbolizing joy, celebration, and the intimate union between the bride and groom. The bridechamber is mentioned in the New Testament, where it is used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 9:15 : "Jesus replied, 'Can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.'" In this passage, Jesus uses the imagery of the bridechamber to explain why His disciples do not fast while He is present with them. The presence of the bridegroom, representing Jesus Himself, is a time of joy and celebration, akin to a wedding feast. The absence of the bridegroom, however, will be a time for fasting and mourning.

2. Mark 2:19 : "Jesus answered, 'How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? As long as he is with them, they cannot fast.'" Similar to the account in Matthew, this passage emphasizes the joy associated with the bridegroom's presence. The bridechamber here symbolizes the joyous fellowship between Christ and His followers.

3. Luke 5:34 : "Jesus replied, 'Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?'" Again, the imagery of the bridechamber is used to highlight the appropriateness of joy and celebration in the presence of Jesus, the bridegroom.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In Jewish wedding customs, the bridechamber was a central element of the marriage celebration. It was the place where the marriage was consummated and where the couple would spend their first moments together as husband and wife. The celebration in the bridechamber was a time of great joy, feasting, and community participation.

Theologically, the bridechamber serves as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the Church. In the New Testament, Christ is often depicted as the bridegroom, and the Church as His bride. This imagery underscores the intimate and covenantal relationship between Jesus and His followers. The joy of the bridechamber reflects the joy of salvation and the ultimate union of Christ with His Church at the end of the age.

Symbolism in Christian Thought:

The bridechamber is symbolic of the Kingdom of God, where believers will experience eternal joy and communion with Christ. It represents the eschatological hope of Christians, looking forward to the "marriage supper of the Lamb" as described in Revelation 19:7-9. This future event is anticipated as the ultimate fulfillment of the bridechamber imagery, where the Church, as the bride, will be united with Christ, the bridegroom, in everlasting celebration.

In summary, the bridechamber in biblical literature is a rich symbol of joy, union, and the covenantal relationship between Christ and His Church. It serves as a reminder of the joyous fellowship believers have with Christ now and the greater joy that awaits in the consummation of His Kingdom.(n.) The nuptial apartment.CHILDREN OF THE BRIDECHAMBER

See BRIDE-CHAMBER, SONS.

3567. numphon -- the bridechamber
... the bridechamber. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: numphon Phonetic
Spelling: (noom-fohn') Short Definition: a bridal chamber Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3567.htm - 6k

The Secret of Gladness
... THE SECRET OF GLADNESS. 'And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the
bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?'"Mark 2:19. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the secret of gladness.htm

Matt. Ix. 9
... What then saith Jesus? "Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom
is with them." Before, He called Himself a physician, but here a ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxx matt ix 9.htm

Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer
... and drink? And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the
bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? But the ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/v jesus christ the divine.htm

A Teacher with Authority
... disciples fast not?". And Jesus said unto them: "Can the children of the
bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter ii a teacher with.htm

To those who had Invited Him, and not Come to Receive Him.
... oxen, another to his just-married wife, another to some other trifling matter; you
were all scattered and dispersed, caring little for the Bridechamber and the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration iii to those who.htm

The Call of Matthew
... fast not? 15. And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber
mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the call of matthew.htm

The Publicans' Friend
... fast not! 19. And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber
fast, while the bridegroom is with them! as long as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the publicans friend.htm

The Controversy Concerning Fasting
... found among the sick, so He now answered, that being the Bridegroom, fasting in
His presence is impossible: "Can the sons of the bridechamber fast while the ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 2 18 the controversy concerning.htm

HymnOf the Baptized
... 13. Who would not rejoice, in your bridechamber, my brethren?"for the
Father with His Son, and the Spirit rejoice in you. 14. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiii hymn of the.htm

HymnConcerning Our Lord and John
... 12. "I have revealed to Thee My Will; what questionest thou?"Draw near, baptize
Me, and thou shalt not be burned."The bridechamber is ready; keep Me not ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiv hymn concerning our.htm

Bridechamber (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHILDREN OF THE BRIDECHAMBER. See BRIDE-CHAMBER,
SONS. Multi-Version Concordance Bridechamber (3 Occurrences). ...
/b/bridechamber.htm - 7k

Bride-chamber (3 Occurrences)
Bride-chamber. Bridechamber, Bride-chamber. Bride-feast . Int. ... (ASV WBS YLT).
Bridechamber, Bride-chamber. Bride-feast . Reference Bible.
/b/bride-chamber.htm - 8k

Bride-bed (2 Occurrences)
Bride-bed. Bride, Bride-bed. Bridechamber . Multi-Version Concordance
Bride-bed (2 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Bride, Bride-bed. Bridechamber . Reference
/b/bride-bed.htm - 7k

Sons (2429 Occurrences)
... (ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV). Matthew 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of
the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? ...
/s/sons.htm - 65k

Abstinence (2 Occurrences)
... He says fasting, as a recognized sign of mourning, would be inconsistent with the
joy which "the sons of the bridechamber" naturally feel while "the bridegroom ...
/a/abstinence.htm - 25k

Children
... T. Witton Davies. CHILDREN OF THE BRIDECHAMBER. See BRIDE-CHAMBER, SONS. EDEN, CHILDREN
OF. See CHILDREN OF EDEN. GOD, CHILDREN OF. See CHILDREN OF GOD. ...
/c/children.htm - 62k

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