The Jewish Wedding

This subject is very broad with much written online and in various books. If we view a building blueprint we will see a high level drawing with some dimensions, and then we will see drawings that get specific (like the electrical plan). In many respects, this is how the bible is written and through studies we come to various conclusions. (Isaiah 28:10) Also, in most disciplines we solve for unknowns. Does this fit the “pattern” or the equation? Therefore, this article will follow the rule and not the exceptions in order to stay on topic at a high level. We will not make the exception the rule.

There are many subjects in the bible where we solve for unknowns. For example, the letter to the Corinthians contained a lot of information that we could give the label: How to correctly conduct the worship service of the church. We come to that conclusion because of the context. If we picked the subject of instrumental music in the worship service we can quickly get into controversy at a detailed level. You may not agree with this statement but I’ve concluded to be on the safe side of this issue because I realize from a study of history that the first century church didn’t use instrumental music in the worship service. 1st Corinthians chapter 14 is covering the worship service and in verse 15 we read: “I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” Does that solve for the unknown? We find this question in verse 8: “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” When the last trumpet sounds you will not miss the meaning of the sound just like they didn’t miss the meaning of various trumpet sounds in the battle. The trumpet sound has understanding and if you were playing Amazing Grace (not a first century song in our “song books”) with the trumpet alone you wouldn’t miss the meaning of the sound and you would recognize the song.

Therefore, we can’t solve the Jewish Wedding equation without a study of the Jewish tabernacle at a high level and this article will be a very high level structural plan with some key dimensions (verses). Otherwise, this would be a very involved study.

Hebrews chapter 8 is a very key chapter in our New Testament (NT) and is a high level plan that ties much of our bible together. I personally would suggest that Christians spend a good deal of study on this chapter. Many of us understand that the Old Testament (OT) is a pattern for the NT. “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” (Hebrews 8:5) Those instructions were very specific and we are happy that Moses could follow a plan and specific instructions from God. Why? People died when they didn’t follow instructions.

Hebrews chapter 8, at verse 8, gives us important instructions about the pattern of the church. We find inserted in this inspired book a quote from Jeremiah 31, beginning at verse 31: “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, 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 brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, 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 31:31-33) (Also repeated in Hebrews 10:15-16.)

As you can see, our Lord (the son) was the husband of the house of Israel. Our Lord and God the Father made a new covenant (marriage contract) with his house, dwelling place or tabernacle (we are included). Although our Lord was married to Israel they could not abide by the marriage contract. He ended that relationship by his death upon the cross. We find the end of that relationship in Romans chapter 7 beginning at verse 4: “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Ephesians chapter 5 considers the marriage relationship and ends with this thought in verses 30-32: “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

In order to fully understand this figure we need to understand the Jewish Wedding in biblical times. This wedding had three parts and was nothing like our weddings today except for some of the symbols in the wedding ceremony today. Here are the three C’s of the Jewish wedding: “Contract, Consummation, and Celebration.” Source: Steve Rudd (The Hamilton church of Christ, Ontario, Canada). Steve Rudd gives this outline.

There were three states of a marriage in the Bible:

Stage 1: signing the "ketubbah" contract (Creating the marriage bond)
i. The bride would chose her husband and her father would sign a legal contract with him called a "ketubbah".
ii. Once this is signed the couple is 100% married but do not have sex yet.
iii. Young children were often married (arranged marriage) but did not consummate until of age.

Stage 2: The "chuppah": sexual consummation.
i. Up to 7 years later, the groom is able to raise the money as set out in the ketubbah contract and notifies the father of the bride, who then sets a date to consummate the marriage at the bride's home.
ii. The bride waits with her maidens, for the arrival of the groom and his companions.
iii. The couple enters the chuppah room and consummates the marriage while the companions of the bride and groom wait and celebrate outside or in the next room.
iv. The groom hands the bloodied “proof of virginity cloth” to the witnesses chosen by the bride’s parents, who then give it to the bride for safekeeping.

Stage 3: The wedding feast
i. After consummation, the entire wedding party walks to the house of the groom in a procession for a wedding feast.
ii. At the conclusion of the wedding feast, the couple has completed the ancient ritual of marriage.

You might wonder what stage of this wedding we are participating in while in this physical realm. I personally suspect it is Stage 1 because of key passages of scripture.

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 25:13)

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2nd  Corinthians 11:2)

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7)

“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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3)

As I said previously, there is much online information about this subject to guide you to various passages of scripture and symbolism. You might want to start with the outline referenced in this article: http://www.bible.ca/marriage/ancient-jewish-three-stage-weddings-and-marriage-customs-ceremony-in-the-bible.htm

In conclusion, I would like to consider the “Bride Price” paid by Jesus Christ. The altar is the first symbol in the tabernacle of the Lord. There are other symbols like the wedding veil in the tabernacle (2nd Corinthians 3:16) and the ark of the marriage contract in the Holy of Holies. We must live by that contract to be presented as a chaste virgin.

“Bride price, also known as bride wealth, bride token, is an amount of money or property or wealth paid by the groom or his family to the parents of a woman upon the marriage of their daughter to the groom.” Wikipedia

Christ, upon the altar of our marriage, has paid it all. “I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion [fellowship] of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion [fellowship] of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” (1st Corinthians 10:15-17)

Fellowship, W.E. Vine: “KOINONOS, having in common, is rendered ‘have communion with (the altar),’—the altar standing by metonymy for that which is associated with it—in 1st Corinthians 10:18….”
"Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?" (1st Corinthians 10:18)