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Beloved Bridegroom
Book by Nielsen, Donna B.
202 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 13, 2020
Some minor editing goofs (grammatical errors and what looks like a couple copy and paste snafus) did nothing to deter from the deep well of knowledge found in this book.
Basically, this blew my mind.
I took so many notes that I seemed to have copied most of the book into Evernote.
And here’s the thing- we’re supposed to know this stuff. Reading this, then reading the New Testament and attending the temple- yup, God wanted us to know the basic cultural heritage that is ours. Learning about ancient Jewish marriage and family customs has deepened the meaning of my covenants, and has helped me understand God’s character on a more intimate level. Perhaps even more importantly, I also have a better appreciation for my role and expectations. I am seeing everything in a new light, and it is glorious.
I can’t stop talking about this one.
Basically, this blew my mind.
I took so many notes that I seemed to have copied most of the book into Evernote.
And here’s the thing- we’re supposed to know this stuff. Reading this, then reading the New Testament and attending the temple- yup, God wanted us to know the basic cultural heritage that is ours. Learning about ancient Jewish marriage and family customs has deepened the meaning of my covenants, and has helped me understand God’s character on a more intimate level. Perhaps even more importantly, I also have a better appreciation for my role and expectations. I am seeing everything in a new light, and it is glorious.
I can’t stop talking about this one.
July 15, 2010
Christ really does refer to himself as the bridegroom in a number of scriptures, and I have the tendency to just breeze through them thinking, "Okay, you're the bridegroom. I got it." But there is so much more to that statement than I had realized! The layers of symbolism in this statement are amazing. Nielsen delves into Jewish marriage customs that make me appreciate Christ, the scriptures, the temple, and my own marriage so much more. I will never read another "bridegroom" scripture the same way again.
December 13, 2022
First half was a solid 5. I learned so much about intended meanings in scripture and insights into temple ordinances. The middle definitely turned into trying to drink water from a fire house with so much information given quickly and dryly that it was a lot harder to get through. Also had a lot of repeated information. The book then ended strong again. I learned a ton by reading this book and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to study the Bible or Latter-day Saint temple ordinances.
September 21, 2011
This is actually a 3 1/2, and would have been a 4 until the last few chapters. I was intrigued through the early sections as Nielsen discusses ancient Jewish marriage and family customs. The symbolism of Christ as the bridegroom and his church (us) as the bride goes very deep into the many rituals. I loved her insights into the ten virgins story, her explanation of the wedding canopy, and her excellent observations about the significance of bread in Middle Eastern culture. I felt, however, that later parallels were taken too far, to the point that any two dots could be connected. For example, Nielsen's comparison between the larynx and the cervix made me roll my eyes: "The physical similarities between these two body parts seem to indicate a correlation between giving birth to children and giving life to our words. Speaking is much like giving birth..." Still, I learned a lot and will almost certainly refer back to this volume in the future.
December 28, 2008
Recommended by my friend Elaine. Just when you need a book, the right one always appears. I had a colleague scoff at this book (though not having read it) as not written by a scholar. How sad. Nielsen has done her research on the topic; she has taken the concept of the Jewish wedding to illustrate the metaphor of Israel or the covenant people as the bride of Jehovah. Although some editing might still be in order (I always notice things in books that I read), this was an invaluable and very readable help in understanding Jewish customs and so much more. Fascinating facts and scriptures. Another excellent book that helped me understand Hebrew and Greek origins for concepts and terms that modern Christianity has seemingly lost. I am keeping this book close at hand.
April 3, 2013
I’ve been meaning to review this wonderful book for the last few weeks since I first read it. But I’m glad I waited because I’ve been able to ponder it and reflect on just how important the book really is. Have you ever been puzzled by the references in the scriptures to the wedding feast, the marriage covenant, the significance of the marriage ceremony or the parable of the ten virgins?
You’re not alone. Even though I have been a student of the scriptures all my life, I always said to myself, “Someday I’ll understand why the Lord would have one of his prophets marry a harlot. But for the life of me, it seems an awful mean trick to play on a man, knowing that she would leave him and go after her former lovers.” Well, that day has come. I now understand Hosea.
The Bride Waits Faithfully
The Lord desires to have a sacred and deeply spiritual bond with us, similar to the bond that exists between two very close people such as a husband and wife. He does not desire to be an unknown or distant God. He wants our relationship to be based on experiences that are closely shared, building a personal and intimate association. We are the bride. He is the bridegroom.
Like Hosea’s bride, we have played the harlot. We have all gone astray seeking after the ways of the world, when we should have been faithful as we promised when we entered into the wedding contract through baptism. In ancient Israel, after entering into the marriage contract, it was now time for the bridegroom to go and build a home for his bride. She waits for his sudden return.
Bride Price Paid with Blood
Understanding ancient Jewish marriage and family customs will help us understand the Savior. The people he taught were Jews. They understood the significance of why the bridegroom had to go away after negotiating for the bride, paying the bride price and entering into the contract. The bridesmaids, light, outer darkness, the father’s house and the closed door were all clear to them.
For us, it’s not so clear. That’s why Donna Nielsen’s book, Beloved Bridegroom is so essential to really understand the events that will take place when the Savior returns. He came and paid for us in the meridian of time with the price of His blood. He loves us and is beloved by those who know and understood what He did for us. It is now time for the Bridegroom to claim his bride.
The Father Determines the Time
While the bridegroom was away building the wedding chamber or “little mansion” for their honeymoon, if he had to communicate with the bride, he did so through the “friend of the bridegroom.” That’s interesting to ponder today. Who is the friend of the bridegroom that the Lord is using to carry messages to his bride? It seems to me that prophets fulfill this role.
The new home was built under the direct personal supervision of the groom’s father. The father wanted everything regarding the bride’s new home to be as beautiful and perfect as it could be. The father was the sole judge of when the preparations were complete. Only when the father determined everything was ready did he gave permission for the son to claim his bride.
Preparation for the Wedding
There is much work to be done before the bridegroom returns. Although she doesn’t know the exact date and time, the bride knows she must be prepared for the exciting day. One of those areas of preparation was the ritual immersion at a mikvah, a bath drawn from natural or living waters. It had to be large enough to immerse oneself completely in preparation for holiness.
From the time of the bridegroom’s departure until he returned for her a year or so later, the bride placed a lamp in her window and kept it continually burning every night. It was a token of her faithfulness, and she lived for the day when her beloved would return for her. The focus of her life during this time revolved around the thoughts of her future happiness with her new husband.
The Double Invitation
When the “wedding house” was finished, the father finally gave the long-awaited permission. The groom called and gathered his friends and the Father sent servants with a second wedding announcement. The first invitation or calling had been sent when the betrothal began. The initial acceptance implied a firm commitment. The second invitation went to those who had committed.
In Jerusalem, if you planned to accept an invitation to attend a banquet, you made it known to others. No citizen of Jerusalem would attend a banquet without changing his buckle from the right to the left shoulder. This was so that another person should not extend to him an invitation that would be wasted. The guests who accepted the invitation were then duty-bound to appear.
The Bridegroom Cometh
It was now time for the wedding procession, a very noisy and joyful group consisting of the bridegroom, his servants, companions, and closest friends. They wound their way through the streets. The people of the city would gather and watch the wedding processions enter and depart through the special Gate of the Bridegroom. There was much singing, dancing and merriment.
The procession would usually come late at night. The Jewish people thought it romantic that the bridegroom would come suddenly, with an element of surprise. They knew the general week of his arrival, but never the exact day. When the procession nears the brides home, a messenger was sent ahead to give the shout, “The bridegroom cometh!” He would then arrive within a half hour.
The Bringing of the Lamp
The bride had only enough time to make a few final preparations. She gathered her already-packed honeymoon clothes and quickly dressed in her bridal gown. She had her traditional gift for the groom ready, a carefully prepared tallit or prayer shawl. Now came the final call, “The bridegroom cometh!” Immediately the group and the groom rushed in to find the bride.
After the father of the bride made sure he was the man with the contract, the father would stand aside and let the groom take the bride. The procession reversed course, lifting the bride up into a special chair and carrying her home. Four strong men were given the honor of carrying the bride, accompanied by torch-bearers. This was called “the bringing of the lamp,” meaning the bride.
Entering the New Home
The most important period of the marriage festivities was when the bride entered her new home. The bride and groom were sometimes crowned with real crowns or with garlands of roses, myrtle, or olive leaves. The parents uttered a traditional blessing upon the bride and groom and the guests repeated the expression of a wish for happiness and fruitfulness in their marriage.
After these blessings were recited, the bride and groom and all of the invited guests who carried their lights went in. The door was then shut and bolted because there was not enough room for all who would seek to enter. Even the invited guests who came late were left outside. To be late was unthinkable at such an important occasion and was considered a gross insult to the host.
Light is Our Contribution
There was great disappointment for those not prepared or on time for the marriage and wedding feast. This is why the parable of the ten virgins, or bridesmaids was so easily understood by the Jewish people. It was considered a religious duty to bring light when attending a wedding. Light was associated with marriage as a special metaphor for joy, lighting the father’s house for days.
To bring a lamp to the festivities was the responsibility of every guest and was considered his personal contribution to the joy of the event. The expression “outer darkness” takes on a new meaning when we realize those not admitted to the feast would suffer agony of being alone when everyone else was rejoicing together. How sad for the foolish virgins who were not prepared.
Conclusion and Recommendation
I could go on and on with things I have learned from this book. If you note the reviews on Amazon, you’ll see they are almost all rated five-star. Yes, it’s that good. At about 180 pages, I was able to read it in one day, basically an afternoon and evening. I simply could not put it down because I was filled with so many “ah-ha” moments as phrases took on new and real meaning.
My little review here only covered two chapters – four and five. There is so much more. I’ll include the table of contents below. I highly recommend this book. I give it five stars. It is more than just a good book. I believe it is imperative that we understand these things in order to be fully prepared for the events of the last days which are now upon us. The bridegroom cometh!
Table of Contents
Chapter One – Family Life in Israel
- Roles of men and women, religious training of children, and family loyalty
Chapter Two – The Marriage Proposal
- Finding a mate, fire, desirable personal qualities, negotiating the bride price
Chapter Three – The Bride’s Acceptance
- Ketubah, gift, ratify covenants, cup of wine, veil
Chapter Four – Preparing a Place
- Father’s supervision, bride’s preparations, double invitation, procession
Chapter Five – The Ten Bridesmaids
- Light, outer darkness, the father’s house, closing the door
Chapter Six – The Wedding Canopy
- Wedding garments, crown of glory, seven bridal blessings
Chapter Seven – Gardens and Fountains
- The sanctity of sexuality, scriptural euphemisms, spiritual views, wedding chamber
Chapter Eight – Food for Feasting
- Seven species, wedding song, party manners, etiquette
Chapter Nine – Song for the Bridegroom
- Prophetic principles, celebrating life stages, biblical prosperity, peace in the home
Chapter Ten – Spiritual Betrothal
- Christ paid the bride price, gift of the Sabbath, honoring his name
Chapter Eleven – Spiritual Preparation and Marriage
- The Comforter, Sabbath bride, cup of joy, knowing God, rending the veil
Chapter Twelve – The Imperative of Fruitfulness
- Bringing forth fruit, vessels, glory, holy places, brides in scripture
Source: http://latterdaycommentary.com/2013/0...
You’re not alone. Even though I have been a student of the scriptures all my life, I always said to myself, “Someday I’ll understand why the Lord would have one of his prophets marry a harlot. But for the life of me, it seems an awful mean trick to play on a man, knowing that she would leave him and go after her former lovers.” Well, that day has come. I now understand Hosea.
The Bride Waits Faithfully
The Lord desires to have a sacred and deeply spiritual bond with us, similar to the bond that exists between two very close people such as a husband and wife. He does not desire to be an unknown or distant God. He wants our relationship to be based on experiences that are closely shared, building a personal and intimate association. We are the bride. He is the bridegroom.
Like Hosea’s bride, we have played the harlot. We have all gone astray seeking after the ways of the world, when we should have been faithful as we promised when we entered into the wedding contract through baptism. In ancient Israel, after entering into the marriage contract, it was now time for the bridegroom to go and build a home for his bride. She waits for his sudden return.
Bride Price Paid with Blood
Understanding ancient Jewish marriage and family customs will help us understand the Savior. The people he taught were Jews. They understood the significance of why the bridegroom had to go away after negotiating for the bride, paying the bride price and entering into the contract. The bridesmaids, light, outer darkness, the father’s house and the closed door were all clear to them.
For us, it’s not so clear. That’s why Donna Nielsen’s book, Beloved Bridegroom is so essential to really understand the events that will take place when the Savior returns. He came and paid for us in the meridian of time with the price of His blood. He loves us and is beloved by those who know and understood what He did for us. It is now time for the Bridegroom to claim his bride.
The Father Determines the Time
While the bridegroom was away building the wedding chamber or “little mansion” for their honeymoon, if he had to communicate with the bride, he did so through the “friend of the bridegroom.” That’s interesting to ponder today. Who is the friend of the bridegroom that the Lord is using to carry messages to his bride? It seems to me that prophets fulfill this role.
The new home was built under the direct personal supervision of the groom’s father. The father wanted everything regarding the bride’s new home to be as beautiful and perfect as it could be. The father was the sole judge of when the preparations were complete. Only when the father determined everything was ready did he gave permission for the son to claim his bride.
Preparation for the Wedding
There is much work to be done before the bridegroom returns. Although she doesn’t know the exact date and time, the bride knows she must be prepared for the exciting day. One of those areas of preparation was the ritual immersion at a mikvah, a bath drawn from natural or living waters. It had to be large enough to immerse oneself completely in preparation for holiness.
From the time of the bridegroom’s departure until he returned for her a year or so later, the bride placed a lamp in her window and kept it continually burning every night. It was a token of her faithfulness, and she lived for the day when her beloved would return for her. The focus of her life during this time revolved around the thoughts of her future happiness with her new husband.
The Double Invitation
When the “wedding house” was finished, the father finally gave the long-awaited permission. The groom called and gathered his friends and the Father sent servants with a second wedding announcement. The first invitation or calling had been sent when the betrothal began. The initial acceptance implied a firm commitment. The second invitation went to those who had committed.
In Jerusalem, if you planned to accept an invitation to attend a banquet, you made it known to others. No citizen of Jerusalem would attend a banquet without changing his buckle from the right to the left shoulder. This was so that another person should not extend to him an invitation that would be wasted. The guests who accepted the invitation were then duty-bound to appear.
The Bridegroom Cometh
It was now time for the wedding procession, a very noisy and joyful group consisting of the bridegroom, his servants, companions, and closest friends. They wound their way through the streets. The people of the city would gather and watch the wedding processions enter and depart through the special Gate of the Bridegroom. There was much singing, dancing and merriment.
The procession would usually come late at night. The Jewish people thought it romantic that the bridegroom would come suddenly, with an element of surprise. They knew the general week of his arrival, but never the exact day. When the procession nears the brides home, a messenger was sent ahead to give the shout, “The bridegroom cometh!” He would then arrive within a half hour.
The Bringing of the Lamp
The bride had only enough time to make a few final preparations. She gathered her already-packed honeymoon clothes and quickly dressed in her bridal gown. She had her traditional gift for the groom ready, a carefully prepared tallit or prayer shawl. Now came the final call, “The bridegroom cometh!” Immediately the group and the groom rushed in to find the bride.
After the father of the bride made sure he was the man with the contract, the father would stand aside and let the groom take the bride. The procession reversed course, lifting the bride up into a special chair and carrying her home. Four strong men were given the honor of carrying the bride, accompanied by torch-bearers. This was called “the bringing of the lamp,” meaning the bride.
Entering the New Home
The most important period of the marriage festivities was when the bride entered her new home. The bride and groom were sometimes crowned with real crowns or with garlands of roses, myrtle, or olive leaves. The parents uttered a traditional blessing upon the bride and groom and the guests repeated the expression of a wish for happiness and fruitfulness in their marriage.
After these blessings were recited, the bride and groom and all of the invited guests who carried their lights went in. The door was then shut and bolted because there was not enough room for all who would seek to enter. Even the invited guests who came late were left outside. To be late was unthinkable at such an important occasion and was considered a gross insult to the host.
Light is Our Contribution
There was great disappointment for those not prepared or on time for the marriage and wedding feast. This is why the parable of the ten virgins, or bridesmaids was so easily understood by the Jewish people. It was considered a religious duty to bring light when attending a wedding. Light was associated with marriage as a special metaphor for joy, lighting the father’s house for days.
To bring a lamp to the festivities was the responsibility of every guest and was considered his personal contribution to the joy of the event. The expression “outer darkness” takes on a new meaning when we realize those not admitted to the feast would suffer agony of being alone when everyone else was rejoicing together. How sad for the foolish virgins who were not prepared.
Conclusion and Recommendation
I could go on and on with things I have learned from this book. If you note the reviews on Amazon, you’ll see they are almost all rated five-star. Yes, it’s that good. At about 180 pages, I was able to read it in one day, basically an afternoon and evening. I simply could not put it down because I was filled with so many “ah-ha” moments as phrases took on new and real meaning.
My little review here only covered two chapters – four and five. There is so much more. I’ll include the table of contents below. I highly recommend this book. I give it five stars. It is more than just a good book. I believe it is imperative that we understand these things in order to be fully prepared for the events of the last days which are now upon us. The bridegroom cometh!
Table of Contents
Chapter One – Family Life in Israel
- Roles of men and women, religious training of children, and family loyalty
Chapter Two – The Marriage Proposal
- Finding a mate, fire, desirable personal qualities, negotiating the bride price
Chapter Three – The Bride’s Acceptance
- Ketubah, gift, ratify covenants, cup of wine, veil
Chapter Four – Preparing a Place
- Father’s supervision, bride’s preparations, double invitation, procession
Chapter Five – The Ten Bridesmaids
- Light, outer darkness, the father’s house, closing the door
Chapter Six – The Wedding Canopy
- Wedding garments, crown of glory, seven bridal blessings
Chapter Seven – Gardens and Fountains
- The sanctity of sexuality, scriptural euphemisms, spiritual views, wedding chamber
Chapter Eight – Food for Feasting
- Seven species, wedding song, party manners, etiquette
Chapter Nine – Song for the Bridegroom
- Prophetic principles, celebrating life stages, biblical prosperity, peace in the home
Chapter Ten – Spiritual Betrothal
- Christ paid the bride price, gift of the Sabbath, honoring his name
Chapter Eleven – Spiritual Preparation and Marriage
- The Comforter, Sabbath bride, cup of joy, knowing God, rending the veil
Chapter Twelve – The Imperative of Fruitfulness
- Bringing forth fruit, vessels, glory, holy places, brides in scripture
Source: http://latterdaycommentary.com/2013/0...
April 23, 2022
Really enjoyed this book! It opened my eyes to the analogy in the scriptures of Christ as the bridegroom and Israel as the bride. The book takes an in depth look at Jewish symbolism and the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony and how they both support this analogy. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because something about the organization and flow of the book felt slightly disjointed, but I would still recommend it!
November 23, 2020
There were a lot of great comparisons to help understand Jewish culture and use that understanding to help liken the scriptures more to us. It was tricky to follow at times, when it seemed that the concepts bounced around a bit, but there was a lot of great information in there with biblical references and sources to help support.
July 3, 2023
I liked this book overall. Pros: readable language, interesting culture insights, scripture connections. Cons: no citations (only an overall bibliography at the end), several typos, and a tendency to force connections where I'm not sure they are. I still enjoyed this book, but I find it hard to recommend.
March 5, 2025
I loved this! God is so good at symbolism!
"A knowledge of biblical marriage imagery can greatly enrich our understanding of how God relates to us through covenants. Biblical covenant marriage imagery encompasses principles as diverse as Sabbath observance, the atonement, temple worship, and missionary of work. It literally begins with Adam and ends with Zion." (From the back cover of the book)
"A knowledge of biblical marriage imagery can greatly enrich our understanding of how God relates to us through covenants. Biblical covenant marriage imagery encompasses principles as diverse as Sabbath observance, the atonement, temple worship, and missionary of work. It literally begins with Adam and ends with Zion." (From the back cover of the book)
January 16, 2017
deep, thoughtful, thorough exploration of Jewish marriage and family culture and how it begins clearer and richer understanding of our relationship with Christ. powerful reverence tool when I was studying the old testament last year.
May 21, 2020
I loved this book! This well research, well sourced, book is a treasure. I had no idea Jewish culture was so sex positive (in marriage) and has such an open and supportive understanding of all aspects of intimacy in marriage. That is just one of the many treasures I gained from this book.
January 31, 2022
I loved reading this!! It was absolutely fascinating. It was really cool learning about Jewish wedding traditions, and very cool to see how a lot of that imagery is used in the Bible. There was so much beautiful symbolism!
July 24, 2022
I love this book! I learned so much and want to learn even more. Jewish culture is so fascinating and symbolic. Reading this book will make scripture study more meaningful and interesting, it has the potential to bless your marriage, and really teaches how Christ feels towards His people.
March 21, 2024
I really enjoyed and learned from the first half of the book. I thought the Jewish marriage customs really gave a great and meaningful dimension to one of the roles of the Savior. It made me do some pondering of my relationship with Him. The second half of the book did not engage me.
August 7, 2024
This book brought to light many things that made my understanding of the Old and New Testament make sense. I love all the knowledge I discovered as I read and I imagine I will continue to turn back to this book as a reference.
May 25, 2020
I’ve never read a book that gave me so much understanding of the scriptures or our ordinances and covenants. A new favorite of mine.
October 1, 2020
A great read to understand cutoms in the ancient church.
November 21, 2020
Beautiful!
This book has helped me to see the importance of my preparation for the Bridegroom. Filled with beautiful imagery and symbolism.
This book has helped me to see the importance of my preparation for the Bridegroom. Filled with beautiful imagery and symbolism.
January 7, 2023
Fascinating and educational.
Read
December 16, 2024Highly informative. I really enjoyed learning about the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony. It brings to light much of the imagery of the language of the Bible.
Not thrilled will the many typos.
Not thrilled will the many typos.
March 18, 2025
10/10⭐️
October 20, 2013
I think I have been reading this book for over a year, maybe just under as it is heavy on symbolism and cultural explanations. That said, it was worth a slow read. I would read a few pages or a chapter and then put the book down to think about it, read the scriptures cited in context, pray about it and read it again to see how I felt about it - whether I agreed or disagreed.
Some of my favorite points were the discussion on what "perfect" meant in ancient Judaism (faithful to covenants) versus our modern understanding (p. 99) and then a discussion of the power of the Holy Ghost, not only to comfort but to give a person a dynamic power to cope with our own life. (pp. 123-124)
Is this book the basis of my faith? Nope. It has helped me look more deeply at the messages of Christ in the scriptures and to understand the culture in which he, and those he taught and walked among, lived. It helped me to see in a new perspective how precious each of us is to Him no matter where we are or have been.
Some of my favorite points were the discussion on what "perfect" meant in ancient Judaism (faithful to covenants) versus our modern understanding (p. 99) and then a discussion of the power of the Holy Ghost, not only to comfort but to give a person a dynamic power to cope with our own life. (pp. 123-124)
Is this book the basis of my faith? Nope. It has helped me look more deeply at the messages of Christ in the scriptures and to understand the culture in which he, and those he taught and walked among, lived. It helped me to see in a new perspective how precious each of us is to Him no matter where we are or have been.
November 19, 2011
There were some parts to this book that were quite interesting. I learned a lot about the symbolism of ancient Jewish marriage customs. The purpose of marriage, how we should focus on our spouse, and the marriage ceremony are all very enlightening from an ancient Jewish standpoint. I think we could all be very enriched from their views. I enjoyed the explanations of the parable of the Ten Virgins and how the author broke down the information.
I am giving this book a two because, despite the interesting parts, there were a lot of non-interesting parts. There were many sections that I felt the author took a huge stretch. I am no Jewish scholar but how the author compared the heart and the womb made me very skeptical. This book was simply OK.
I did find a bit of humor. In Hebrew, the word "to know" is "yada" - meaning to have intimate experience with. Now that Seinfeld episode makes much more sense!
I am giving this book a two because, despite the interesting parts, there were a lot of non-interesting parts. There were many sections that I felt the author took a huge stretch. I am no Jewish scholar but how the author compared the heart and the womb made me very skeptical. This book was simply OK.
I did find a bit of humor. In Hebrew, the word "to know" is "yada" - meaning to have intimate experience with. Now that Seinfeld episode makes much more sense!
September 7, 2011
This book is amazing if you are interested in the Jewish tradition of marriage and it's symbolism in the bible. My husband and I read it together. It took us a while, since we just read together on Sundays, but we learned so much. I think what surprised me most is how everything (I mean everything) involved in the wedding means something or is a symbol for something (not unlike our very own temples--I shouldn't have been surprised). Also, that the scriptures so often use these things to explain something. If you know how a Jewish wedding goes, you would see the significance of the reference, but if you don't, you'll just keep reading, missing the point.
December 28, 2014
This book is a long explanation of the symbolism of Jesus Christ as the Bridegroom. It has excellent insights which I wish I could simply download into my brain, but the writing is dense with no real writer's voice, and I get tired of slogging through it.
I highly recommend this book if you are interested in learning more about Ancient Jewish marriage and family customs and how they symbolize Christ. For me, it is more of a reference book, than a book I can read on a daily basis--although I did read the majority of it.
I highly recommend this book if you are interested in learning more about Ancient Jewish marriage and family customs and how they symbolize Christ. For me, it is more of a reference book, than a book I can read on a daily basis--although I did read the majority of it.
December 5, 2020
Excellent presentation, wonderful depth
This is the best discussion on Jewish marriage and the way all their traditions and ceremonies tie into the gospel, the atonement and the relationship of Christ to us his children, I have yet to read. The author covers the subject using a challenging combination of references and in depth analysis. It is worthy of repeated study to assimilate the many areas of covered. I greatly enjoyed the increased understanding of the parable of the Ten Virgins.
This is the best discussion on Jewish marriage and the way all their traditions and ceremonies tie into the gospel, the atonement and the relationship of Christ to us his children, I have yet to read. The author covers the subject using a challenging combination of references and in depth analysis. It is worthy of repeated study to assimilate the many areas of covered. I greatly enjoyed the increased understanding of the parable of the Ten Virgins.
September 2, 2014
Knowing more about the Jewish marriage customs at the time of Jesus' added a lot of insight into the new testament scriptures.
I also enjoyed the emphasis put on families to be peaceful and happy. I found it encouraging for me in my own family. It lacks a star because in a few places I felt like it was trying to hard to find more comparisons for things than were really there. A god insightful read I'd recommend.
I also enjoyed the emphasis put on families to be peaceful and happy. I found it encouraging for me in my own family. It lacks a star because in a few places I felt like it was trying to hard to find more comparisons for things than were really there. A god insightful read I'd recommend.
May 8, 2024
Excellent read. If you want to see more of the symbols and matrix of ideas related to how the Old Testament images of the "woman" and the "husband" are used in the writings of the New Testament writers, this is a book you should read. I find much of what Nielsen writes in the scholarship that I constantly read, and while not everything is perfect in the way the book is produced, the bones are all there.
February 12, 2008
Profoundly interesting. Nielson delves into ancient Jewish marriage customs to illuminate Christ's parables and allegories. Understanding the significance of covenant making and the attending ceremonies, we better understand Christ's self-title, the bridegroom. Fascinating from both secular and non-secular approaches.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews