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Jewish Wedding - Biblical Custom
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Jewish Wedding - Biblical Custom

By Joseph Czar 
http://ShemaYHVH.net

In Biblical times, when a Jewish man wished to have the
hand of a Jewish woman in Marriage, he would visit the
father of his future bride to discuss the price that would
be necessary for her hand. During this meeting
would be discussed his intent, and the price
that would be paid for his bride negotiated.  

The Groom then made a visit to his intended Bride
to present himself to her with plans for the future and
their commitment to each other,
should their desire be mutual. 

Upon presenting to her his plans, and seeing her response,
he would pass a cup of wine to her.  This was the moment of
truth for their course of action.  To drink of the cup would be
her acceptance to his proposal and a life long commitment to
him.  To pass on the cup would end the relationship.  This
moment in her life was very important.  To drink from the
cup meant Betrothal, establishment of a marriage
covenant, set apart exclusively for her husband. 

Sharing the cup, with eyes on each other, hearts soaring,
the Groom would promise with words like this:  
"Let not your
heart be troubled.  In my Father's house there are many
rooms, and I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go to
prepare a place for you, I will come again to take you unto
myself that where I am you will be also.  If it were not true
I would not have told you." 

The moment she drank from the cup her intentions were also
sealed, and when the price was paid, The Covenant was
sealed.  She was Betrothed to Him, separated from
the world as she then waited for his return. 

He then would return to His Father's house to prepare their
room, and He would continue in preparation until His Father
said that it was finished.  He would not know when the room
was finished, only the Father knew.  So the Son
continued preparing until Word came from
His Father that preparations were complete. 

During his absence which could be a day, a week, a month,
a year or longer, the Bride would wait and put together her
wedding dress, in preparation for Her Groom's Return. 
During his absence she wore a veil, a symbol of her
Set-Apartness and would not be seen by strangers.  Her
commitment was played out during this waiting period and
none were aloud to interfere.  She would prepare by day, and
wait by night for her Groom.  Her dowry kept her busy as
her heart longed for that moment when He would return for
Her and take Her onto Himself. 

When the Groom finished preparation of the
Bridal Chamber according to His Father's approval,
a torchlight procession led by the Groom, with His Best Man
and members from the wedding party proceeded
to the home of the Bride to claim His Wife. 

This event usually happened at night.  The Bride needed to
be ready at a moments notice, for her only announcement
came by a shout from the best man.  Her dowry
prepared by day, and waiting by night with her lamp light on,
in anticipation of His Coming; Listening for the shout,
night by night, not knowing when or what moment, being
readily prepared to trim Her Lamp and go to be received by
Her Husband, kept her busy looking forward to
Her Wedding Day. 

Once received, the wedding party returned to the
Father's house to find that the Father had prepared a
Magnificent Wedding Feast. 

Members of the wedding party would escort the Bride and
Groom to the Huppah, Hebrew for bridal chamber.  The best
man would wait outside the bridal chamber to hear a
prearranged signal that the marriage was consummated.  
(John 3:29).  Then began a seven-day celebration with all the
guests and the wedding party, but the bride remained hidden
within the Huppah until the Groom brought her out unveiled,
after the seven days were completed. 

Now the guests could see the Bride without the veil, as
She joined in the festivities, and for life to celebrate
with Her Husband the wonderful bonds of
total commitment in their marriage.
 

 

For Additional reading go to

Betrothal Wedding Feast