of uncertain affinity; nuptials:--marriage, wedding.
Transliteration:gámos
Pronunciation:gam'-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun γάμος (gámos, `{{G1062}}`) primarily denotes a "marriage" or "wedding." Its semantic range extends to encompass several related concepts:
1. **The Wedding Feast/Celebration:** Most frequently, γάμος refers to the festive occasion of a wedding, including the banquet and associated festivities. This highlights the communal, joyful, and often public aspect of marriage in ancient cultures.
2. **The Act of Marrying:** It can signify the process or event of entering into a marital union.
3. **The Institution of Marriage:** In some contexts, it refers to the state of matrimony itself, as a divinely ordained and honorable institution.
While the etymology is noted as "of uncertain affinity," its consistent usage in the New Testament establishes a clear and significant meaning related to the sacred bond between a man and a woman, and metaphorically, between Christ and His Church.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term γάμος appears 16 times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Gospels and Revelation, with one significant occurrence in Hebrews.
* **Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew & Luke):** The majority of occurrences are found in Jesus' parables, where a "wedding feast" serves as a powerful metaphor for the Kingdom of God and the eschatological banquet.
* In the Parable of the Wedding Feast for the King's Son ([[Matthew 22:2-12]]), γάμος is used repeatedly to describe the banquet prepared by the king. The narrative emphasizes the invitation, the rejection by some, the subsequent invitation to others (Gentiles), and the requirement of proper attire (righteousness/faith) for those who attend.
* Similarly, the Parable of the Ten Virgins ([[Matthew 25:10]]) speaks of the virgins going out to meet the bridegroom and enter the γάμος, signifying preparedness for the Lord's return.
* Luke's Gospel also uses γάμος in parables concerning readiness for the master's return from a wedding ([[Luke 12:36]]) and the humility required at a wedding feast ([[Luke 14:8]]). These uses highlight the celebratory and communal nature of the event, often as a setting for spiritual lessons.
* **The Wedding at Cana (John):** The first miracle of Jesus, turning water into wine, occurred at a γάμος in Cana of Galilee ([[John 2:1-2]]). Here, γάμος denotes a literal human wedding celebration, underscoring Jesus' presence and blessing upon the institution of marriage.
* **The Institution of Marriage (Hebrews):** The epistle to the Hebrews declares, "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge" ([[Hebrews 13:4]]). Here, γάμος clearly refers to the institution of marriage itself, emphasizing its sanctity, purity, and divine approval, in contrast to illicit sexual relations. This verse serves as a crucial theological statement on the nature of marriage.
* **The Marriage of the Lamb (Revelation):** In the book of Revelation, γάμος takes on a profound eschatological and symbolic meaning, referring to the "marriage of the Lamb" ([[Revelation 19:7, 9]]). This climactic event symbolizes the ultimate union and communion between Christ (the Lamb) and His Church (His bride), marking the culmination of redemptive history and the beginning of eternal fellowship. The "wedding supper of the Lamb" is the ultimate celebration of God's covenant faithfulness and the redemption of His people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of γάμος is enriched by examining its lexical family and related biblical concepts:
* **Verbal Forms:**
* `{{G1061}}` (gameō): The verb "to marry" or "to be married."
* `{{G1060}}` (gamiskō): "To give in marriage."
* **Related Persons/Places:**
* `{{G3565}}` (numphē): "Bride."
* `{{G3566}}` (numphios): "Bridegroom."
* `{{G3567}}` (numphōn): "Bridal chamber" or "wedding hall."
* **Theological Concepts:**
* **Covenant:** Marriage in the Bible is often understood as a covenant, a solemn agreement between two parties, often involving God as a witness. This resonates with God's covenant relationship with His people.
* **Union:** The concept of "one flesh" ([[Genesis 2:24]]) is central to biblical marriage, signifying deep spiritual and physical unity.
* **Purity and Holiness:** Marriage is presented as a context for pure sexual expression and is held in high esteem as a sacred state.
* **Family:** Marriage is the foundational unit for the family, intended for procreation and the raising of godly offspring.
* **Eschatology:** The recurring motif of the wedding feast points to the ultimate joy and communion of God's people in the consummated Kingdom.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of γάμος is multifaceted, spanning from the creation order to eschatological hope:
1. **Divine Institution:** Marriage, as described in [[Hebrews 13:4]] and implied throughout Scripture, is not merely a human construct but a divine institution ordained by God from creation ([[Genesis 2:24]]). It reflects God's design for human companionship, procreation, and the ordering of society. Its honorableness and purity are divinely affirmed.
2. **A Metaphor for God's Relationship with His People:** Throughout the Old Testament, the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel is often depicted using marriage imagery (e.g., in Hosea, Ezekiel, Jeremiah). This prophetic tradition is carried into the New Testament, where the "marriage of the Lamb" in Revelation culminates this rich theological symbolism. It portrays Christ as the faithful Bridegroom and the Church as His pure and adorned Bride, united in an eternal, unbreakable bond. This metaphor underscores God's unwavering love, faithfulness, and the intimate communion He desires with His redeemed people.
3. **Illustrations of the Kingdom of God:** Jesus' frequent use of wedding feasts in His parables highlights the joyous, celebratory, and inclusive nature of the Kingdom of God. These parables invite listeners to prepare for the coming Kingdom, to accept the divine invitation, and to live in readiness for the Lord's return. The imagery conveys abundance, fellowship, and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
4. **Foundation for Christian Ethics:** The New Testament's teaching on γάμος provides a strong ethical framework for marriage, emphasizing fidelity, mutual respect, love, and the sanctity of the marital bed. It serves as a bulwark against sexual immorality and promotes a high view of the marital covenant as a reflection of Christ's relationship with the Church.
### Summary
The Greek word γάμος (gámos, `{{G1062}}`) carries a rich and profound meaning in the New Testament, primarily denoting a "wedding feast" or the institution of "marriage" itself. While often referring to literal human nuptial celebrations, as seen in the Wedding at Cana ([[John 2:1-2]]), its most significant theological weight is found in its metaphorical and eschatological applications. Jesus frequently employed the imagery of a γάμος in His parables to illustrate the Kingdom of God, emphasizing the divine invitation and the necessity of spiritual preparedness ([[Matthew 22:2-12]], [[Matthew 25:10]]). Crucially, γάμος is affirmed as an honorable and sacred institution ordained by God ([[Hebrews 13:4]]). Ultimately, its pinnacle of meaning is reached in the book of Revelation, where the "marriage of the Lamb" ([[Revelation 19:7, 9]]) symbolizes the glorious, eternal union of Christ with His Church, signifying the culmination of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate communion between the divine Bridegroom and His redeemed people. Thus, γάμος encapsulates both the earthly sacredness of marital union and the heavenly reality of God's covenant faithfulness and ultimate fellowship with humanity.
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