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νύμφη

nýmphē

G3565 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A woman at the time of her wedding or recently married; in certain contexts, a bride, a young woman in the process of entering marriage, or, by extension, a daughter-in-law. The primary sense is a woman in the marriage relationship, either during the wedding ceremony (the bride) or as a newly married woman (wife, particularly in familial designations as daughter-in-law). The term often evokes the social state and ceremonial aspects of marriage in ancient Greek culture.

Semantic Range

woman at marriage, bride, newlywed woman, daughter-in-law, (rarely) betrothed girl, (classical) minor nature deity (Nymph)

Root / Etymology

Related to an obsolete Greek verb meaning 'to veil' (possibly νυμφεύω), though the exact verbal form is not attested in surviving texts. The term is part of a broader set of Indo-European words for 'bride' (compare Latin 'nupta', Sanskrit 'nāpikā'). Etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, νύμφη referred primarily to a bride or newlywed woman, the latter marked especially by the use of the bridal veil (νυμφικός). The term was also used in Greek mythology for minor goddesses of nature (Nymphs), but this mythological sense is distinct from the marital sense found in biblical literature. In the Septuagint and New Testament, νύμφη designates: (1) a bride, in the context of the wedding ceremony; and (2) a daughter-in-law, as the female counterpart to γαμβρός (son-in-law, bridegroom), especially within family relationships. Standard English Bible translations render νύμφη as 'bride' or 'daughter-in-law', but this can mask the breadth of its use in Hellenistic society, where the term is closely linked to marriage customs and social identity. Notably, the meaning does not automatically include the sense of 'betrothed girl' outside context. The metaphorical use of νύμφη in passages such as Revelation 21:2 ('the bride, the wife of the Lamb') draws upon these cultural and ceremonial associations. There is overlap but not identity with the Latin term 'nupta', and with other Greek terms for 'young woman' or 'wife' (e.g., γυνή), which may or may not denote marital status.

Translation Consistency

primary "bride" 8 occurrences

νύμφη most typically denotes a woman in the marriage relationship (a bride or newly married woman). 'Bride' is the natural, common English rendering in most biblical contexts and covers the primary ceremonial/newlywed sense; rarer senses (daughter‑in‑law, classical 'nymph') are less common and can be handled by context or glosses.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a primary but obsolete verb (to veil as a bride; compare Latin "nupto," to marry); a young married woman (as veiled), including a betrothed girl; by implication, a son's wife:--bride, daughter in law.

Root Family

νύμφη (nýmphē) — marriage, wedding, bride

Root νυμφ- marriage, wedding, bride

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3565-02 νύμφην numphen N ACC F SG bride a bride bride 5
G3565-01 νύμφη numphe N NOM F SG bride bride bride 2
G3565-03 νύμφης numphes N GEN F SG of bride of a bride of a bride 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3565-02 Matthew 10:35 νύμφην numphen N ACC F SG the daughter-in-law a bride bride
G3565-02 Luke 12:53 νύμφην numphen N ACC F SG daughter-in-law a bride a bride
G3565-01 Luke 12:53 νύμφη numphe N NOM F SG daughter-in-law bride bride
G3565-02 John 3:29 νύμφην numphen N ACC F SG bride a bride bride
G3565-03 Revelation 18:23 νύμφης numphes N GEN F SG of bride of a bride of a bride
G3565-02 Revelation 21:2 νύμφην numphen N ACC F SG bride a bride a bride
G3565-02 Revelation 21:9 νύμφην numphen N ACC F SG bride a bride bride
G3565-01 Revelation 22:17 νύμφη numphe N NOM F SG bride bride bride
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