[Greek] νύμφη (nymphē), [Latin] sponsa, [Latin] virgo, [Latin] virago: bride, young woman, daughter-in-law, young wife; Mt.10:35, Mt.25:1, Jn.3:29, Lk.5:34, Lk.12:53, Rev.18:23, Rev.21:2,9, Rev.22:17
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins: painting by Friedrich Wilhelm Schadow (1832)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means young wife, bride, marriageable maiden, daughter-in-law, young girl, young insect (pupa state), nymph, and lower goddess. Homer’s Iliad 18.492 states “In the one city there were marriages and feasts, and by the light of the blazing torches, they were leading the brides from their bowers (retreat) through the city, and loud rouse the bridal song. And the young men were whirling in the dance.” Aristophanes’ Plutus 529 states “When you bring a young bride to your dwelling, you will have no essence, wherewith to perfume her, nor rich embroidered cloaks dyed with dazzling colors in which to clothe her.” Sophocles’ Philoctetes 1470 states “Now let us all leave together, once we have prayed to the nymphs of the sea to come to be guides of our safe return.”
Old Testament: This term means virgin, bride, daughter-in-law, young wife, and spouse. The fate of the bride (daughter) was generally under the father’s authority to make contracts and betrothals between families. The young woman’s betrothal was essentially a legally married state. A betrothed young woman, legally accused of adultery, could be stoned to death. Generally, the wedding is held in the bridegroom’ house. The bridegroom fetches his bride to his house. The virgins, friends of the bride, accompany her to his house. The wedding may have generally occurred in the evening, requiring the need for lamps.
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels (Isa.61:10). If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, and lies with her, he must pay a dowry for her to be his wife (Gen.24:16). If there is a young woman, a virgin who is betrothed, and a man comes upon her in the city and lies with her, you shall bring them both to the city gate and stone them to death (Deut.22:23-24). For he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law (Gen.38:16). Your lips, my bride, drip honey (Sng.4:11). As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you (Isa.62:5).
New Testament: This term means bride, virgin, and daughter-in-law. The bridegroom brings his bride to the wedding feast. The virgins accompany the bride to the wedding feast. The parable of the ten virgins speaks to one’s preparedness for Jesus’ return. In the Messianic wedding feast, the heavenly Jerusalem becomes a bride adorned for her husband. The New Jerusalem is the symbol of the Church. Jesus does not come to bring peace but to cause division. He comes to set division among family members (daughter-in-law against mother-in law).
Scripture:
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” Mt. 25:1
The parable of the ten virgins provides a commentary about if whether one is prepared for Jesus’ return.
“For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Mt.10:35
Jesus comes into the world to sow division among families. This provides an illustration that Jesus’ values are often in contrast with the world’s values.
“I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Rev.21:2
This pertains to the ultimate consummation, the heavenly wedding feast. The Lamb (groom) weds the heavenly Jerusalem (bride). Isa.61:10 foreshadows the heavenly wedding feast.
Conclusion:
Nymph, spouse, virgin
It is interesting to note that Homer mentions the leading of brides by the light of blazing torches. Nymphs are supernatural creatures in the form of beautiful young women. These nymphs are often associated with nature (air, sea, woods). Nymphs are also commonly depicted as scantily clad or naked.
In the Old Testament culture, fathers exercised great control over the fate (affairs) of their daughters (brides). Oftentimes, the giving away of the bride is likened to a property transaction between families. This notion provides some perspective on the expression “giving away the bride”. It is also important to note that the betrothed young woman was already very much like a married women. A betrothed woman can be accused of adultery.
In the New Testament, the virgins are likened to each of us concerning whether or not we are ready for Jesus’ return. It is also interesting to note that the virgins used lamps. Jesus often causes division in illustrating that His ways are sometimes opposed to the world’s ways. Jesus often makes us uncomfortable. The Church becomes the heavenly Jerusalem wedded to the Lamb.
The Latin virago, meaning heroic maiden or heroine, comes from the Latin vir. Joan of Arc is sometimes referred to as a virago. In more modern times, virago can mean Amazonian (Xena, the Warrior princess), mannish, domineering, abrasive, and vigorous. (Yeah, try calling a formidable woman (or maiden) mannish, good luck with that! That didn’t go to well for Austin Powers who said, “Well, you have to admit, she is rather mannish.”)
So make sure you’re ready for the wedding invitation!