3566. numphios
Lexical Summary
numphios: Bridegroom

Original Word: νυμφίος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: numphios
Pronunciation: noom-FEE-os
Phonetic Spelling: (noom-fee'-os)
KJV: bridegroom
NASB: bridegroom, bridegroom's
Word Origin: [from G3565 (νύμφη - bride)]

1. a bride-groom
{literally or figuratively}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
bridegroom.

From numphe; a bride-groom (literally or figuratively) -- bridegroom.

see GREEK numphe

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from numphé
Definition
a bridegroom
NASB Translation
bridegroom (15), bridegroom's (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3566: νυμφίος

νυμφίος, νυμφίου, (νύμφη), a bridegroom: Matthew 9:15; Matthew 25:1, 5f, 10; Mark 2:19; Luke 5:34; John 2:9; John 3:29; Revelation 18:23. (From Homer down; Sept for חָתָן.)

Topical Lexicon
Bridegroom (νυμφίος, Strong’s Greek 3566)

Biblical Background

The image of the bridegroom is rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, where the covenant-making LORD presents Himself as the husband of Israel (Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19-20; Isaiah 62:5). The New Testament develops this marital metaphor christologically: Jesus Christ is the promised Bridegroom, and the redeemed community is His bride.

Occurrences in the New Testament

νυμφίος appears sixteen times, concentrated in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and once in Revelation. The distribution highlights three major themes: (1) the Messiah’s present ministry, (2) the demand for readiness, and (3) final judgment and consummation.

Synoptic Teaching on Fasting and Presence

In Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:19-20; Luke 5:34-35, Jesus identifies Himself as the bridegroom whose physical presence turns traditional mourning into joyous celebration:

“Can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? … But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.” (Mark 2:19-20)

The sayings affirm Christ’s authority over ritual practice, announce His forthcoming death (“taken from them”), and anticipate a future reunion that legitimizes Christian fasting as longing for His return.

Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)

Here νυμφίος anchors an eschatological call to vigilance. The wise and foolish virgins all expect the bridegroom, but only the prepared enter the wedding feast:

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’” (Matthew 25:6)

The parable teaches personal preparedness, the suddenness of the Second Advent, and irreversible consequences once the door is shut (Matthew 25:10-12).

Witness of John the Baptist (John 3:29)

John identifies Jesus as νυμφίος and himself as “the friend of the bridegroom,” celebrating the fulfillment of Messianic expectation:

“The bride belongs to the bridegroom… Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.” (John 3:29)

John’s joy models ministerial humility and directs all honor to the Son.

Bridegroom Motif in Revelation

Revelation 18:23 depicts Babylon’s fall:

“The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again.”

The silenced marriage voices contrast starkly with the loud rejoicing in Revelation 19:7-9, where the Lamb’s marriage has come. νυμφίος thus functions both negatively (judgment) and positively (consummation).

Old Testament Foundations

Prophets characterized Israel’s unfaithfulness as adultery; restoration is framed as renewed betrothal (Hosea 2:19-20). Isaiah 62:5 promises, “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.” These passages supply the conceptual backdrop for Jesus’ self-designation and the Apostolic proclamation.

First-Century Jewish Marriage Customs

A marriage involved (1) betrothal, legally binding yet preceding cohabitation; (2) the bridegroom’s procession, often at night, to fetch the bride; (3) a celebratory banquet. Jesus appropriates each stage: the Church is betrothed (2 Corinthians 11:2), He is now “preparing a place” (John 14:2-3), and He will return in procession to inaugurate the eternal feast (Revelation 19:9).

Christological and Ecclesiological Implications

1. Incarnation: The Bridegroom’s presence signals the dawning of messianic joy.
2. Atonement: His being “taken” (Mark 2:20) alludes to the cross.
3. Resurrection and Ascension: Preparation period during which the bride is purified (Ephesians 5:25-27).
4. Parousia: Certain and imminent return demands readiness (Matthew 25:13).
5. Union with Christ: Believers participate in a covenant relationship deeper than earthly marriage (Ephesians 5:31-32).

Pastoral and Missional Applications

• Worship: Celebrate the Bridegroom’s accomplished redemption and anticipated return.
• Discipleship: Cultivate holiness, keeping lamps filled with the oil of the Spirit.
• Evangelism: Invite others to the wedding feast; urgency is underscored by the closed door in Matthew 25:10.
• Suffering: Fasting and lament recognize the present absence, yet hope in the promised reunion.
• Marriage Counseling: Earthly marriages depict the gospel; fidelity, sacrifice, and joyful intimacy mirror Christ and the Church.

Key Texts for Personal Study

Matthew 9:15; Matthew 25:1-13; Mark 2:19-20; Luke 5:34-35; John 3:29; Revelation 18:23; Revelation 19:7-9; Isaiah 62:5; Hosea 2:19-20; Ephesians 5:25-32.

Forms and Transliterations
νυμφιον νυμφίον νυμφιος νυμφίος νυμφιου νυμφίου νυμφίω numphion numphios numphiou nymphion nymphíon nymphios nymphíos nymphiou nymphíou
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 9:15 N-NMS
GRK: ἐστὶν ὁ νυμφίος ἐλεύσονται δὲ
NAS: as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days
KJV: as long as the bridegroom is
INT: is the bridegroom will come however

Matthew 9:15 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτῶν ὁ νυμφίος καὶ τότε
NAS: when the bridegroom is taken away
KJV: when the bridegroom shall be taken
INT: them the bridegroom and then

Matthew 25:1 N-GMS
GRK: ὑπάντησιν τοῦ νυμφίου
NAS: and went out to meet the bridegroom.
KJV: and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
INT: meet the bridegroom

Matthew 25:5 N-GMS
GRK: δὲ τοῦ νυμφίου ἐνύσταξαν πᾶσαι
NAS: Now while the bridegroom was delaying,
KJV: While the bridegroom tarried, they all
INT: moreover the bridegroom they became drowsy all

Matthew 25:6 N-NMS
GRK: Ἰδοὺ ὁ νυμφίος ἐξέρχεσθε εἰς
NAS: Behold, the bridegroom! Come
KJV: Behold, the bridegroom cometh;
INT: Behold the bridegroom go forth to

Matthew 25:10 N-NMS
GRK: ἦλθεν ὁ νυμφίος καὶ αἱ
NAS: to make the purchase, the bridegroom came,
KJV: went to buy, the bridegroom came; and
INT: came the bridegroom and those

Mark 2:19 N-NMS
GRK: ᾧ ὁ νυμφίος μετ' αὐτῶν
NAS: to them, While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants
KJV: fast, while the bridegroom is with
INT: which the bridegroom with them

Mark 2:19 N-AMS
GRK: ἔχουσιν τὸν νυμφίον μετ' αὐτῶν
NAS: as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot
KJV: they have the bridegroom with
INT: they have the bridegrooom with them

Mark 2:20 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτῶν ὁ νυμφίος καὶ τότε
NAS: when the bridegroom is taken away
KJV: when the bridegroom shall be taken away
INT: them the bridegroom and then

Luke 5:34 N-NMS
GRK: ᾧ ὁ νυμφίος μετ' αὐτῶν
NAS: while the bridegroom is with them, can you?
KJV: fast, while the bridegroom is with
INT: while the bridegroom with them

Luke 5:35 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτῶν ὁ νυμφίος τότε νηστεύσουσιν
NAS: and when the bridegroom is taken away
KJV: when the bridegroom shall be taken away
INT: them the bridegroom then they will fast

John 2:9 N-AMS
GRK: φωνεῖ τὸν νυμφίον ὁ ἀρχιτρίκλινος
NAS: the headwaiter called the bridegroom,
KJV: called the bridegroom,
INT: calls the bridegroom the master of the feast

John 3:29 N-NMS
GRK: τὴν νύμφην νυμφίος ἐστίν ὁ
NAS: the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend
KJV: is the bridegroom: but
INT: the bride bridegroom is which

John 3:29 N-GMS
GRK: φίλος τοῦ νυμφίου ὁ ἑστηκὼς
NAS: but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands
KJV: the friend of the bridegroom, which
INT: friend of the bridegroom who stands

John 3:29 N-GMS
GRK: φωνὴν τοῦ νυμφίου αὕτη οὖν
NAS: because of the bridegroom's voice.
KJV: because of the bridegroom's voice:
INT: voice of the bridegroom this then

Revelation 18:23 N-GMS
GRK: καὶ φωνὴ νυμφίου καὶ νύμφης
NAS: and the voice of the bridegroom and bride
KJV: the voice of the bridegroom and
INT: and voice of bridegroom and of bride

Strong's Greek 3566
16 Occurrences


νυμφίον — 2 Occ.
νυμφίος — 9 Occ.
νυμφίου — 5 Occ.

3565
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