Matthew 25: 1-13 -- Is it 10 Bridesmaids or 10 Virgins who are brides?
In a recent Bible study, the parable of the 10 virgins recently came up. Matthew 25:1-13
I had always assumed that the 10 virgins were brides awaiting the bridegroom to come at an unexpected time, but many in the bible study had always thought the 10 virgins were bridesmaids.
What contributed to this difference?
Quickly reviewing several translations revealed what had contributed to this difference. We discovered modern translations and paraphrased translations were using the term "bridesmaids" over "virgins".
So, which one is accurate? Let's go back to the Greek! (This will be a common response from me on this blog.)
The Greek word used in this verse is parthenois (Strongs G3933).
Parthenois is accurately translated as a virgin but more specifically meaning one who is marriageable.
The Greek word "parthenois" was never defined as bridesmaid. This is a perfect example that no translation is error free. Some translations are more accurate to the Greek, but not one of them is error free. We sometimes struggle with this because we know Gods' words are without error and fault, but that does not mean our translations are without error and fault. I will post more on this subject when such word meaning discrepancies are identified.
For now, note that parthenois should never have been translated as a bridesmaid in those translations that did so. Then, why did they?
Understanding Hebrew/Jewish culture and wedding customs is necessary for gaining additional insight into this passage.
The Jewish marriage custom included the following:
Betrothal - this included the marriage covenant/contract and usually which involved the groom, the groom's father or designee paying the bride price and then returning to the father's house
Betrothal period - This period is an engagement period where the groom and bride live separately. Unlike our engagements, the couple is considered married but have not consummated the marriage. This could last up to a year and could only be broken by a divorce certificate. During this time the groom actually prepared the physical living arrangement for his wife/
The groom goes to get his bride - When the living space has been completed the groom at the direction of his father would be told to go to get his bride. This was to be a surprise so the time would be unknown, The bride was expected to be prepared.
Wedding Celebration - The bride, groom, family, and friends return to the place that the groom has prepared, The bride and groom consummate, and upon completion of the consummation, the bride will bring out the evidence of the that proves her virginity. This starts a week-long wedding feast.
Although we know from the Greek language that there were 10 virgins the question still remains, where the 10 virgins brides, or bridesmaids?
Often overlooked is that Matthew 25 is actually a continuation of Matthew 24 in placing emphasis that no one knows the day or the hour. The followers of Christ (the church) is expected to be prepared and on watch, just like the bride and in the Jewish culture it was the bride that was expected to be prepared not her family or friends who would eventually join in the wedding ceremony.
Jesus has gone away from us in order to prepare a house/mansion for us. He is returning to get his bride the Church. (John 14:2-3)
Because of the context of this and other passages, I lean towards the virgins as brides and not bridesmaids. Christ is returning for his bride for the wedding ceremony, who cares if the bridesmaids are not let in, but if the bride is rejected that is a whole different impact. (Matthew 7:21-23)
Additional thoughts on this historical culture and tradition:
1) Brides were historically expected to be on alert, not the bridesmaids
2) The groom came to carry away the bride not the bridesmaids
3) Bridesmaids were not a part of this culture at the time of this scripture
4) Roman law required 10 witnesses, these witnesses had to be male. This could not fit this description, as you would not reject 5 witnesses that would be needed for a lawful Roman wedding, plus in the biblical story, the 10 virgins are women
5) These were not servants at the wedding as that is a different Greek word
6) These were not maids as in handmaidens given to the bride as a bridal gift
7) It was expected that the bride would be a virgin until the groom carried her away to his place and ready to consummate the marriage
So why did some translations use bridesmaids?
Without being present as to why, I can only speculate, but I can guess that it may have been based on the uncomfortable idea of multiple wives, polygyny.
At this point, we can only move forward in making our own opinion. Either way, we are required as Christians to be ready because no one knows the day, not even the son, just the Father.
I had always assumed that the 10 virgins were brides awaiting the bridegroom to come at an unexpected time, but many in the bible study had always thought the 10 virgins were bridesmaids.
What contributed to this difference?
Quickly reviewing several translations revealed what had contributed to this difference. We discovered modern translations and paraphrased translations were using the term "bridesmaids" over "virgins".
So, which one is accurate? Let's go back to the Greek! (This will be a common response from me on this blog.)
The Greek word used in this verse is parthenois (Strongs G3933).
Parthenois is accurately translated as a virgin but more specifically meaning one who is marriageable.
The Greek word "parthenois" was never defined as bridesmaid. This is a perfect example that no translation is error free. Some translations are more accurate to the Greek, but not one of them is error free. We sometimes struggle with this because we know Gods' words are without error and fault, but that does not mean our translations are without error and fault. I will post more on this subject when such word meaning discrepancies are identified.
For now, note that parthenois should never have been translated as a bridesmaid in those translations that did so. Then, why did they?
Understanding Hebrew/Jewish culture and wedding customs is necessary for gaining additional insight into this passage.
The Jewish marriage custom included the following:
Betrothal - this included the marriage covenant/contract and usually which involved the groom, the groom's father or designee paying the bride price and then returning to the father's house
Betrothal period - This period is an engagement period where the groom and bride live separately. Unlike our engagements, the couple is considered married but have not consummated the marriage. This could last up to a year and could only be broken by a divorce certificate. During this time the groom actually prepared the physical living arrangement for his wife/
The groom goes to get his bride - When the living space has been completed the groom at the direction of his father would be told to go to get his bride. This was to be a surprise so the time would be unknown, The bride was expected to be prepared.
Wedding Celebration - The bride, groom, family, and friends return to the place that the groom has prepared, The bride and groom consummate, and upon completion of the consummation, the bride will bring out the evidence of the that proves her virginity. This starts a week-long wedding feast.
Although we know from the Greek language that there were 10 virgins the question still remains, where the 10 virgins brides, or bridesmaids?
Often overlooked is that Matthew 25 is actually a continuation of Matthew 24 in placing emphasis that no one knows the day or the hour. The followers of Christ (the church) is expected to be prepared and on watch, just like the bride and in the Jewish culture it was the bride that was expected to be prepared not her family or friends who would eventually join in the wedding ceremony.
Jesus has gone away from us in order to prepare a house/mansion for us. He is returning to get his bride the Church. (John 14:2-3)
Because of the context of this and other passages, I lean towards the virgins as brides and not bridesmaids. Christ is returning for his bride for the wedding ceremony, who cares if the bridesmaids are not let in, but if the bride is rejected that is a whole different impact. (Matthew 7:21-23)
Additional thoughts on this historical culture and tradition:
1) Brides were historically expected to be on alert, not the bridesmaids
2) The groom came to carry away the bride not the bridesmaids
3) Bridesmaids were not a part of this culture at the time of this scripture
4) Roman law required 10 witnesses, these witnesses had to be male. This could not fit this description, as you would not reject 5 witnesses that would be needed for a lawful Roman wedding, plus in the biblical story, the 10 virgins are women
5) These were not servants at the wedding as that is a different Greek word
6) These were not maids as in handmaidens given to the bride as a bridal gift
7) It was expected that the bride would be a virgin until the groom carried her away to his place and ready to consummate the marriage
So why did some translations use bridesmaids?
Without being present as to why, I can only speculate, but I can guess that it may have been based on the uncomfortable idea of multiple wives, polygyny.
At this point, we can only move forward in making our own opinion. Either way, we are required as Christians to be ready because no one knows the day, not even the son, just the Father.
