Definition and Cultural Context:
A wedding is a ceremonial event marking the union of a man and a woman in marriage. In biblical times, weddings were significant social and religious events, often involving extended celebrations. The Bible provides various insights into the customs, symbolism, and spiritual significance of weddings, reflecting the covenantal nature of marriage as ordained by God.

Biblical Foundations:
The institution of marriage is established in the early chapters of Genesis. Genesis 2:24 states, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This verse underscores the divine intention for marriage as a lifelong union between a man and a woman.

Old Testament Weddings:
Weddings in the Old Testament were community events, often involving elaborate feasts and celebrations. The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 24) illustrates the customs of betrothal and the role of family in arranging marriages. The account of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel (Genesis 29) highlights the cultural practices and complexities surrounding marriage agreements.

The Song of Solomon, a poetic book, celebrates the beauty and intimacy of marital love, often interpreted as an allegory of God's love for His people. The book provides a glimpse into the joy and sanctity associated with weddings and marital relationships.

New Testament Weddings:
In the New Testament, weddings continue to hold significant cultural and spiritual importance. The wedding at Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), underscores the value of marriage and the presence of Christ in the celebration. This event also signifies the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and His blessing upon the marital union.

Jesus' teachings on marriage emphasize its sacredness and indissolubility. In Matthew 19:4-6 , Jesus reiterates the Genesis mandate, saying, "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." This reinforces the covenantal nature of marriage as a divine institution.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance:
Weddings in the Bible often symbolize the relationship between God and His people. The prophetic books, such as Hosea and Isaiah, use marriage imagery to describe God's covenantal love and faithfulness to Israel. In the New Testament, the Church is depicted as the Bride of Christ, highlighting the eschatological hope of the ultimate union between Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:25-32, Revelation 19:7-9).

Customs and Traditions:
Biblical weddings involved various customs, including the betrothal period, which was a legally binding engagement. The bridegroom would prepare a place for the bride, symbolizing Christ's promise to prepare a place for His followers (John 14:2-3). The wedding feast, a central element of the celebration, is often likened to the future Messianic banquet in the Kingdom of God.

Moral and Ethical Teachings:
The Bible upholds marriage as a covenant reflecting God's faithfulness and love. It calls for mutual love, respect, and fidelity between spouses. Ephesians 5:22-33 outlines the roles and responsibilities within marriage, emphasizing sacrificial love and submission as modeled by Christ and the Church.

Conclusion:
Weddings in the Bible are rich in cultural, spiritual, and theological significance. They reflect the divine design for marriage as a covenantal relationship, symbolizing God's unwavering love and commitment to His people. Through the lens of Scripture, weddings are celebrated as sacred unions that honor God and exemplify His eternal covenant with humanity.5211. Humenaios -- Hymenaeus, a heretical teacher at Ephesus
... Word Origin from Humen (Hymen, the Gr. god of weddings) Definition Hymenaeus, a
heretical teacher at Ephesus NASB Word Usage Hymenaeus (2). Hymenaeus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5211.htm - 6k

For Where There are Weddings, Marriages, Births, Nurses, Arts...
... Book IV. 28 For where there are weddings, marriages, births, nurses, arts?
For where there are weddings, marriages, births, nurses ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/28 for where there are.htm

Whether Weddings Should be Forbidden at Certain Times? [*This ...
... OF THE THINGS ANNEXED TO MARRIAGE, AND FIRST OF THE PAYMENT OF THE MARRIAGE DEBT
(TEN ARTICLES) Whether weddings should be forbidden at certain times? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether weddings should be forbidden.htm

Christians, when they Attend Weddings, must not Join in Wanton ...
... Canon LIII. Christians, when they attend weddings, must not join in wanton dances? ...
It is unsuitable to dance or leap at weddings. Van Espen. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon liii christians when they.htm

Members of the Priesthood and of the Clergy must not Witness the ...
... Canon LIV. Members of the priesthood and of the clergy must not witness
the plays at weddings? Members of the priesthood and of ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon liv members of the.htm

To Monna Colomba in Lucca
... You ought to withdraw, by love of virtue and your salvation, from vain diversions
and worldly weddings"for they do not suit your condition"and try to keep ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to monna colomba in lucca.htm

Changed Conditions
... of any day as "unlucky." Now from time immemorial, some days have been regarded
as good and others as bad for such important events as weddings and funerals ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xx changed conditions.htm

The Seven Ecumenical Councils
... Christians, when they attend weddings, must not join in wanton dances? ... Members of
the priesthood and of the clergy must not witness the plays at weddings? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/

Jesus Begins his Work
... In America, people often drink more wine at weddings and at other times than is
good for them, and a great many people go without any wine at all, so as to set ...
/.../anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter v jesus begins his.htm

The Living Word
... There were mass weddings, mass baptisms, mass funerals for people of whom he knew
little and could have no assurance that he was not "giving the holy unto dogs ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter thirteen the living word.htm

Labors in a New Field
... or thirty miles in extent. He served as evangelist and pastor, and officiated
at weddings and funerals. The people among whom he ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xi labors in a.htm

Weddings (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Weddings (2 Occurrences). Song of Songs 3:11 Go
forth, you daughters of Zion, and see king Solomon, with ...
/w/weddings.htm - 7k

Wedge (3 Occurrences)

/w/wedge.htm - 10k

Wedding-robe (1 Occurrence)
Wedding-robe. Wedding-garment, Wedding-robe. Weddings . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEY). Wedding-garment, Wedding-robe. Weddings . Reference Bible.
/w/wedding-robe.htm - 6k

Entertain (8 Occurrences)
... of alliances (Genesis 26:30); sometimes in connection with domestic or social events,
as at the weaning of children (Genesis 21:8), at weddings (Genesis 29:22 ...
/e/entertain.htm - 12k

Cushion (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) the elastic edge of a billiard table. 6. (n.) A riotous kind of dance,
formerly common at weddings; -- called also cushion dance. ...
/c/cushion.htm - 9k

Crowned (14 Occurrences)
... of Songs 3:11 Go forth, you daughters of Zion, and see king Solomon, with the crown
with which his mother has crowned him, in the day of his weddings, in the ...
/c/crowned.htm - 11k

Games (2 Occurrences)
... de Nazareth, by the Abbe Le Camus (60-66; 101-10), of the way in which the children
of the modern Nazareth mimic scenes connected with weddings and funerals. ...
/g/games.htm - 40k

Wedding (24 Occurrences)
... of Songs 3:11 Go forth, you daughters of Zion, and see king Solomon, with the crown
with which his mother has crowned him, in the day of his weddings, in the ...
/w/wedding.htm - 13k

Banquet (58 Occurrences)
... the Lord's supper"). (3) "Banquets" were considered normal parts of weddings
as they are now throughout the East. Jesus and His ...
/b/banquet.htm - 36k

Sown (45 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 2:2 Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says Yahweh, I remember
for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your weddings; how you ...
/s/sown.htm - 20k

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