A bride was usually chosen by the bridegroom's father.
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him?
James 2:5
A ketubah is a marriage contract that explains the basic material, conjugal, and moral responsibilities of the husband to his wife. It is signed by the groom, as well as two witnesses, and given to the bride during the wedding ceremony.
Behold, the days are coming, said YHWH, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband to them, said YHWH. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, said YHWH, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jeremiah 31:31-34
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The bride must be purchased with a dowry that was supposed to be the brides in case of divorce, abandonment, or death. The bride must know the value of the purchase price. She can only be acquired with her consent.
For you are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 6:20
The bride and the groom are legally bound in a marriage contract, but they do not live together. The groom and bride drink from a cup of wine to acknowledge their mutual consent.
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.
Luke 22:20
The bride wore a veil, often placed on her by the bridegroom, as a sign to others that she was betrothed.
During this time the bride would be immersed in water, a ritual immersion called the mikvah.
John answered, saying to them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comes, the lace of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Luke 3:16
The groom could get his bride and consummate the marriage only after building a bridal chamber (Chuppah) at his father's home. Before he left, he would tell the bride. 'I go to prepare a place for you and will return for you.'
In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
John 14:2-3
When the groom is asked when the wedding is to be, the traditional response was, 'Only my father knows the day and the hour!'
When the bridegroom's father was satisfied with the work done by the bridegroom on the new home and the chuppah he would release his son to gather up his bride.
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a sacred assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and nursing babies. Let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet [Chuppah - the honeymoon bridal chamber].
Joel 2:15-16
The third day (Tuesday) is a traditional wedding day.
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee...
John 2:1
The groom had up to two years to build the home and chuppah for his bride.
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2 Peter 3:8
After two days [2000 years] will he revive us; in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Hosea 6:2
The groomsmen would run ahead of the groom, sound the Shofar (trumpet), and shout that he was coming.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go out to meet him.
Matthew 25:5-6
The groom would 'snatch' (Natsal in Hebrew, Harpazo in Greek) his bride and carry her back to the bridal chamber.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in the Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught-up-together [Harpagesometha] with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Nisuin also means 'to lift up' or 'carry'. Lifting up the bride is an ancient wedding custom of carrying the bride to the ceremony in a carriage lifted by poles.
The wedding begins when the guests call out 'Blessed is he who comes.'
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready.
Revelation 19:7
The groom enters and takes his place under the chuppah. The bride follows, and circles the groom seven times before taking her place at her husband's right side in Paradise. The groom is compared to a king.
Following the ceremony the bride and groom enter the chuppah where they remain for 7 days.
And shall confirm the covenant to many for one week [Shabua = seven, week of years].
Daniel 9:27
Note that most English bibles says 'And he shall' but the 'he' is only a supplied word not in the original. In context of the previous sentence, this is the Messiah who confirms or fulfills the covenant! I believe he will fulfill the marriage covenant when he comes and takes us to his home as his bride!
At the end of the 7 days the bride and groom come out for the marriage supper.
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a sacred assembly [Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement]; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and nursing babies. Let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her room [Chuppah - the honeymoon bridal chamber].
Joel 2:15-16
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready.
Revelation 19:7
You yourselves bear me witness, that I (John the Baptist) said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that has the bride is the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice; this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
John 3:28-29
...for I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to the Christ (the Messiah).
2 Corinthians 11:2b
For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning the Christ and the church [Ekklesian = called out assembly].
Ephesians 5:31-32
A Christian Love Story by Zola Levitt
The Rapture and Jewish Weddings by Kent Crockett
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