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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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marriage-supper began—<strong>the</strong> cup being filled, <strong>and</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> solemn prayer <strong>of</strong> bridal benediction spoken<br />

over it. And so <strong>the</strong> feast lasted—it might be more<br />

than one day—while each sought to contribute,<br />

sometimes coarsely,* sometimes wisely, to <strong>the</strong><br />

general enjoyment,* till at last * <strong>the</strong> JJ^^p- ^"<br />

friends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bridegroom' led <strong>the</strong> bridal pair to <strong>the</strong><br />

Cheder <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ghuppah^ or <strong>the</strong> bridal chamber<br />

<strong>and</strong> bed. Here it ought to be specially noticed, as a<br />

striking evidence that <strong>the</strong> writer <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fourth<br />

Gospel was not only a Hebrew, but intimately<br />

acquainted with <strong>the</strong> varying customs prevailing in<br />

Galilee <strong>and</strong> in Judasa, that at <strong>the</strong> marriage <strong>of</strong> Cana<br />

no * friend <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bridegroom,' or * groomsman *<br />

(Shosheblieyna)^ is mentioned, while he is<br />

referred to in St. John iii. 29, where <strong>the</strong> words are<br />

spoken outside <strong>the</strong> boundaries <strong>of</strong> Galilee. For<br />

among <strong>the</strong> simpler <strong>and</strong> purer Galileans <strong>the</strong> practice<br />

<strong>of</strong> having * friends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bridegroom,' which must<br />

so <strong>of</strong>ten have led to gross impropriety,* V^fe did<br />

not obtain,* though all <strong>the</strong> invited guests bore <strong>the</strong><br />

general name ^«J ^^ <strong>of</strong> * children <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

bridechamber' (hen^ GhuppaJi).^ p»»«

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