📖 Biblical Definition
Bridegroom is the title applied to Christ in His coming for the church. John the Baptist called Him so: he that hath the bride is the bridegroom (Jn 3:29). Christ accepted the title and explained His disciples' lack of fasting by it: can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?. The Bridegroom is coming; the wise virgins are watching; the marriage is consummated at His return.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
(Composite.) Title for Christ in His covenant relation to the church; the coming Husband.
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John the Baptist's sermon (Jn 3:29) introduces the title. Christ accepts it (Mt 9:15; Mk 2:19). The wise-virgins parable (Mt 25:1-13) develops it eschatologically: the bridegroom delays; some are ready, some are not; the door eventually closes.
Revelation 19 completes it: the bridegroom comes, the bride is ready, the marriage feast is announced, the saints are blessed who are called to it.
📖 Key Scripture
John 3:29 — "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice."
Matthew 9:15 — "Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?"
Matthew 25:6 — "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him."
Revelation 21:9 — "Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity sometimes treats the Bridegroom title as sentimental flourish; the Bridegroom of the parables comes at midnight, and the door closes behind those who entered.
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Matthew 25 is a sober parable. The bridegroom delayed; the foolish virgins ran out of oil; the door closed; I know you not was the last word. The Bridegroom-figure is welcoming and exclusive at once.
The household lives in this expectation. The Bridegroom comes; the lamps are kept trimmed; the oil is bought ahead of time; the saints watch. The figure is dignified and demanding, romantic and eschatological — both at once.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek nymphios (bridegroom).
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Greek nymphios — bridegroom; the title applied to Christ in the Gospels.
Hebrew chatan — bridegroom; same root as chatuna (wedding).
Usage
"The Bridegroom comes at midnight; the lamps are kept trimmed."
"Welcoming and exclusive at once."
"The figure is romantic and eschatological — both."