Bible Dictionary
Bride
A bride is a woman entering marriage. Scripture also uses bride and bridegroom imagery to describe the relationship between Christ and His church, which is presented as His bride awaiting fulfillment and union with Him.
Definition
A bride is a woman entering marriage. The word is used in its ordinary sense in Scripture and also supplies an important figure for describing the relationship between Christ and His church.
Biblical Usage
Christ is presented as the bridegroom, and the church is called His bride. Bride-and-bridegroom imagery appears in connection with John’s testimony, the church’s identity, and the parable of the ten virgins.
Historical Background
The word is also used in its ordinary sense for a woman entering marriage.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Frequently used in the ordinary sense (Isa. 49:18; 61:10, etc.). The relation between Christ and his church is set forth under the figure of that between a bridegroom and bride (John 3:29). The church is called “the bride” (Rev. 21:9; 22:17). Compare parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt. 25:1-13).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>brid.</p><p>See MARRIAGE.</p>