The second half of the wedding ceremony called the “hometaking” refers to a part of the wedding ceremony and the actual bridal canopy that covers the bridal couple. The original meaning was “room” or “covering.” It was a special room built in the bridegroom’s father’s home and is referenced in Psalm 19:5 and Joel 2:15. The bride was lifted up and carried to her waiting groom. The groom always arrived before his bride to welcome her to the place he had prepared for her. Together, they would greet the guests gathered at his father’s house and then be escorted to the bridal chamber where they would be alone for seven days. This week is mentioned in the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel in Genesis chapter 29 where we read, “ . . . and Laban said, ‘It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.“ During the week, the marriage would be consummated, and the second part of the marriage ceremony would be complete. The best man, who is referred to as the “friend of the bridegroom,” waited outside the wedding chamber to hear the voice of the bridegroom tell him that the marriage was consummated. Then all the guests began a week-long celebration. John 3:29 reads, “He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy, therefore, is fulfilled” (John 3:29).
The room in the bridegroom’s father’s house was eventually replaced by a bridal canopy, which was usually a square cloth of silk or velvet, supported by four poles, and held up by four men. It symbolized the new home, open on four sides to reflect a place of hospitality. There are many various forms of cultural practices over the years. Since the room was originally the place of marital union and required privacy, a custom developed in which the couple met privately after the wedding ceremony to spend the first few minutes alone together as husband and wife. This custom is still practiced among some Jewish groups today.
The spiritual application parallel for the bride of Christ begins at the first resurrection of Revelation 20 when the people of God are taken to their heavenly wedding chamber. John writes, “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). The New Jerusalem is described as descending from heaven to dwell with us (Rev. 21:9-10). Scripture seems to indicate that the bride of Christ will be hidden away with her groom while the wrath of God is poured out against others who are fit for destruction (See Zephaniah 1:14-17).