Lexical Summary chuppah: chamber, canopy Original Word: חֻפֶּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chamber, closet, defense From chaphah; a canopy -- chamber, closet, defence. see HEBREW chaphah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chaphaph Definition a canopy, chamber NASB Translation canopy (1), chamber (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. חֻמָּה noun feminine canopy, chamber (as covering, enclosing) — absolute ׳ח Isaiah 4:5; suffix תֻמָּתוֺ Psalm 19:6; חֻמָּתָהּ Joel 2:16; — 1 canopy, ׳עלכֿלכּֿבוד ח Isaiah 4:5 over all glory a canopy (for protection). 2 chamber, of bridegroom Psalm 19:6 (metaphor of sunrising); of bride Joel 2:16 ("" חֶדֶר of bridegroom). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences and Imagery The term appears three times in the Old Testament and is consistently linked to nuptial or protective settings: • Psalm 19:5 pictures the sun “like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber,” highlighting joyful emergence and readiness. Across these passages, the word evokes both a bridal pavilion and a sheltering canopy. Symbol of Protection and Presence Isaiah 4:5 extends the image from a private bridal space to a corporate, holy shelter for the people of God. The same God who once covered Israel with a pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21-22) pledges a renewed, personal covering. The canopy motif assures that divine glory does not merely visit but dwells, shielding the remnant from judgment and creating a sanctuary of holiness. Marriage and Covenant Themes Psalm 19:5 and Joel 2:16 use bridal imagery to convey covenantal commitment. The bridegroom’s eager emergence and the bride’s readiness underscore mutual devotion. Within Israel’s culture, the bridal canopy marked the solemnization of marriage, so Scripture borrows that picture to affirm God’s steadfast covenant. The lively rejoicing of the bridegroom parallels Yahweh’s delight in His people (Isaiah 62:4-5), anticipating the New Testament portrayal of Christ as Bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 19:7-9). Eschatological Resonance Isaiah’s prophetic canopy anticipates the ultimate restoration of Zion. Later prophets expand the same hope: a gathered, purified people enjoying uninterrupted fellowship with God. Joel’s call for the bridal pair to leave their chamber demonstrates that no earthly joy outweighs the urgency of repentance when “the day of the LORD” draws near (Joel 2:1, 11). Together the passages press forward to the consummation where the heavenly Jerusalem descends “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). Practical and Ministry Applications 1. Worship: The canopy image invites congregations to pray for and rejoice in God’s manifest presence. Liturgically, it underlines themes of holiness, joy, and covenant remembrance. In sum, the scriptural use of this term unites themes of joyful covenant, protective glory, and eschatological fulfillment, urging God’s people to live in the shelter of His presence while awaiting the ultimate wedding feast. Forms and Transliterations חֻפָּֽה׃ חפה׃ מֵחֻפָּת֑וֹ מֵחֻפָּתָֽהּ׃ מחפתה׃ מחפתו chupPah ḥup·pāh ḥuppāh mê·ḥup·pā·ṯāh mê·ḥup·pā·ṯōw mechuppaTah mechuppaTo mêḥuppāṯāh mêḥuppāṯōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 19:5 HEB: כְּ֭חָתָן יֹצֵ֣א מֵחֻפָּת֑וֹ יָשִׂ֥ישׂ כְּ֝גִבּ֗וֹר NAS: coming out of his chamber; It rejoices KJV: coming out of his chamber, [and] rejoiceth INT: A bridegroom coming of his chamber rejoices A strong Isaiah 4:5 Joel 2:16 3 Occurrences |
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