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    Bride

    כַּלָּה (kallah)

    The beloved partner — the chosen, adorned, and cherished one united to the bridegroom.

    Hebrew
    Strong's H3618
    Pronunciation: kahl-LAH
    Quick Answer

    Kallah is the Hebrew word for bride, used literally for a wedding partner and metaphorically for God's people. Scripture pictures Israel and the church as God's bride — chosen, loved, adorned, and united to Him in covenant love.

    "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." — Revelation 21:2 (KJV)

    Key Verses

    Revelation 21:2

    “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
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    Isaiah 62:5

    “As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.”
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    Ephesians 5:25

    “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
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    Strong's Concordance

    Strong's H3618 — Bride (כַּלָּה (kallah))

    Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where כַּלָּה (kallah) appears.

    Open Strong's H3618

    Etymology and Original Meaning

    Kallah means 'bride' or 'daughter-in-law' — the young woman entering a marriage covenant. The word carries connotations of beauty, freshness, and anticipation. In Hebrew culture, the bride was the center of joy — adorned, celebrated, and cherished. The wedding day was the culmination of a covenant relationship, marked by feasting, music, and communal celebration.

    Israel as God's Bride

    The prophets dared to picture God's relationship with Israel as a marriage. Hosea lived this metaphor — marrying an unfaithful wife to illustrate God's faithful love for faithless Israel. Isaiah proclaimed, 'As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee' (62:5). God's love for His people is not contractual but romantic — passionate, pursuing, and unwilling to let go.

    The Church as Christ's Bride

    Paul reveals that marriage itself is a parable: 'This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church' (Ephesians 5:32). Christ loved the church and 'gave himself for it' — the bridegroom dying for the bride. He is sanctifying her, 'that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle' (5:27). The bride is being prepared for the wedding day.

    The Wedding of the Lamb

    Revelation culminates in a wedding: 'The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready' (19:7). The New Jerusalem descends 'prepared as a bride adorned for her husband' (21:2). All of history moves toward this consummation — the eternal union of Christ and His people. The wedding of the Lamb is the happy ending that gives all other stories their meaning.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why is the church called the bride of Christ?

    Because marriage is a parable of Christ's relationship with His people (Ephesians 5:32). He loves the church sacrificially, is sanctifying her for the wedding day, and will present her to Himself in glory. The bride metaphor expresses intimate, covenantal, self-giving love.

    What is the marriage of the Lamb?

    The marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7) is the ultimate consummation — the eternal union of Christ and His redeemed people. It is the joyful conclusion toward which all of salvation history moves: the bridegroom and bride united forever.

    What is the Hebrew word for "Bride" in the Bible?

    כַּלָּה (kallah), pronounced "kahl-LAH." It means the beloved partner — the chosen, adorned, and cherished one united to the bridegroom. Its Strong's number is H3618. It is the word behind "Bride" in both Testaments, for example in Revelation 21:2.

    What does "Bride" mean in the Bible?

    The beloved partner — the chosen, adorned, and cherished one united to the bridegroom. The underlying Hebrew word is כַּלָּה (kallah) ("kahl-LAH"), Strong's H3618. Kallah is the Hebrew word for bride, used literally for a wedding partner and metaphorically for God's people.

    Related Words

    Covenant
    Love (Ahavah)
    Ecclesia

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    Word Meaning

    Bride (כַּלָּה (kallah))

    The beloved partner — the chosen, adorned, and cherished one united to the bridegroom.

    Strong's

    Strong's H3618 — Bride

    כַּלָּה (kallah) • The beloved partner — the chosen, adorned, and cherished one united to the bridegroom.

    Dream Meaning

    Biblical Meaning of a Wedding in a Dream (KJV)

    Covenant, union, and the marriage of Christ and His church.

    Commentary

    Ephesians 5:24 Commentary

    In-depth study • Marriage & the Church

    Commentary

    Hebrews 13:4 Commentary

    In-depth study • Marriage Honoured by God

    Devotional

    Hebrews 10:25 — Meaning & Devotional

    Fellowship

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