Meaning
(Eng. "nymph") "a bride, or young wife," Joh 3:29, Rev 18:23, Rev 21:2, Rev 21:9, Rev 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 2Co 11:2; regarding the whole church, Eph 1:5-32, Rev 22:17.
<2,,3566, numphios>
"a bridegroom," occurs fourteen times in the Gospels, and in Rev 18:23. "The friend of the bridegroom," Joh 3:29, is distinct from "the sons of the bride-chamber" who were numerous. When John the Baptist speaks of "the friend of the Bridegroom," he uses language according to the customs of the Jews.
<3,,3567, 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.
