The meaning of “νύμφη”
Understanding nýmphē reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
bride, daughter in law. - compare Latin "nupto," to marry) - a young married woman (as veiled), including a betrothed gi...
νύμφη
bride, daughter in law. - compare Latin "nupto," to marry) - a young married woman (as veiled), including a betrothed girl - by implication, a son's wife
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 10:35 | “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” Word: νύμφη (nýmphē) | |
| Luke 12:53 | “The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” Word: νύμφη (nýmphē) | |
| 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: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.” Word: νύμφη (nýmphē) | |
| Revelation 21:9 | “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” Word: νύμφη (nýmphē) |
Usage Statistics
Theological Word Study: Bride
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Bride, daughter-in-law
The Hebrew kallah (כַּלָּה) means bride. Israel is portrayed as God's bride in the prophets: 'as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee' (Isaiah 62:5).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Bride
The Greek numphe (νύμφη) means bride. The church is 'the bride, the Lamb's wife' (Revelation 21:9), prepared for her Bridegroom. 'The Spirit and the bride say, Come' (Revelation 22:17).