As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:16-17
Mikvah
In ancient Hebrew culture, a marriage consisted of four parts. The first two, Shiddukhin (שרוכין) and Mikvah (מקוה), were the preparation; and the last two, Erusin (אירוסין) and Nissuin (נשואין) were separate yet equally binding covenants. You can learn about Hebrew marriage in our study, Marriage Supper of the Lamb. YHWH entered into a marriage covenant with the Israelites at the foot of Mount Sinai immediately after the exodus from Egypt.
Isaiah 54:5 For your Maker is your husband, YHWH of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.
Jeremiah 31:32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares YHWH.
The second part of the marriage is the Mikvah (מקוה), when the bride and bridegroom both immerse themselves, separately, in a pool of water in a symbolic spiritual cleansing. This usually takes place within four days before the Erusin (אירוסין).
The Hebrew word “mikvah” is Strong’s h4723 מִקְוֶה miqveh, mik-veh’; or מִקְוֵה miqvêh; (1 Kings 10:28), mik-vay’; or מִקְוֵא° miqvêʼ; (2 Chronicles 1:16), mik-vay’: from H6960; something waited for, i.e. confidence (objective or subjective); also a collection, i.e. (of water) a pond, or (of men and horses) a caravan or drove:—abiding, gathering together, hope, linen yarn, plenty [of water], pool.
We read about the mikvah happening between YHWH and the Israelites in Ezekiel and Exodus.
Ezekiel 15:8-9 When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares YHWH God, and you became mine. Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil.
Exodus 19:10-15 And YHWH said to Moses, go to the people and sanctifyh6942 them today and tomorrow. And let them wash their clothes. And be ready for the third day, For on the third day YHWH will go down before the eyes of all the people on the mountain of Sinai. And you shall set limits to the people all around, saying, Be careful for yourselves, not going up into the mountain and touching its border–everyone touching the mountain shall surely be killed. Not a hand shall touch him but surely he shall be stoned or surely he shall be shot through. He shall not live, whether animal or man. At the sounding of the ram’s horn, they shall go up into the mountain. And Moses went from the mountain to the people. And he sanctifiedh6942 the people, and they washed their clothes. And he said to the people, Be ready for the third day. Do not approach a woman.
The Hebrew word translated “sanctified” is Strong’s h6942 קָדַשׁ qâdash: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally):—appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self).
Baptism of the Bride
Mark 1:4-5 John came baptizing in the wilderness, and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. And all the Judean country and those of Jerusalem went out to him, and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
The act of baptism occurs in conjunction with repentance and subsequent obedience.
Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
Acts 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.
We also learn that through repentance of sins and water baptism we receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
1 Peter 3:18-22 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
The Greek word translated “baptize” is Strong’s g907 βαπτίζω bap-tid’-zo: from a derivative of G911; to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:—Baptist, baptize, wash.
As we learned in the first part of this study, to be sanctified means to be purified and made clean and mikvah means a pool of water. Now we learn that baptize means to be immersed in water and washed clean. Baptism is the purification of the bride and bridegroom in preparation for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Baptism of the Bridegroom
Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Mark 1:9 And it happened in those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
The Marriage
In the Hebrew marriage process, after the Mikvah, the bride and bridegroom would enter a chuppah (marriage canopy), which was symbolic of the new home they would have together. This took place while they were still with the bride’s family.
Mark 14:13-16 And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Under the canopy, they would establish the Erusin, which was the first of two binding marriage contracts. This contract would outline what the bridegroom would provide for the bride, and the responsibilities of both parties to the marriage. The bridegroom would give the bride something of value, such as a ring or money and they would seal their vows with a shared cup of wine.
Mark 14:22-25 And as they were eating, He took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
At this point, the couple was considered married, even though they did not live together or have sexual relations. To annul this contract would require a divorce.
The bridegroom would now leave his bride and her family and return to the house of his father to prepare a place for her there.
John 14:1-4 “Do not let your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. But if it were not so I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you! And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again, and will receive you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
He would be gone for an undetermined length of time, and would return blowing the shofar (ram’s horn). The bride spent the time he was away preparing herself and making her garments. Because she did not know for sure how long he would be gone, she kept her oil lamp full of oil and lit at all times.
Matthew 25:1-13 “Then the kingdom of Heaven shall be compared to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to the meeting of the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five foolish. Those being foolish, taking their lamps did not take oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But the bridegroom delaying, all nodded and slept. And at midnight a cry occurred; Behold the bridegroom comes! go out to meet him. Then all those virgins rose up and prepared their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered, saying, No, lest there not be enough for us and you. But rather go to those who sell, and buy for yourselves, But they, going away to buy, the bridegroom came. And those ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. And afterwards the rest of the virgins also came, saying, Lord, Lord open to us. But answering he said. Truly I say to you, I do not know you. Therefore, watch, for you do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of man comes.”
The second binding contract of the marriage is called the nissuin (נשואין), meaning to take, from the primitive root nashaw (נשא), meaning to lift up. When the bride and bridegroom left together, they would lead the bridal procession to his father’s house, to the place he had prepared for her, blowing the shofar as they went. When they arrived at his father’s house, they would again enter a chuppah. The bride would circle the bridegroom seven times before taking her place beside him. Then they would recite a blessing and have wine, then give their verbal vows to each other, followed by seven days of feasting and celebration. This seven-day feast is called the marriage supper.
Matthew 22:2-14 The Kingdom of Heaven is compared to a man, a king, who made a wedding feast for his son. And he sent his servants to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast; but they did not desire to come. Again, he sent other servants, saying, tell the ones invited, Behold, I have prepared my supper; my oxen, and the fatlings are killed, and all things ready; come to the wedding feast. But not caring, they went away, one to his own field, and one to his trading. And the rest, seizing his servants, insulted and killed them. And hearing, the king became angry. And sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, Indeed, the wedding feast is ready, but those who had been invited were not worthy. Therefore, go onto the exits of the highways and call to the wedding feast as many as you can find. And going out into the highways those servants gathered all, as many as they found, both evil and good. And the wedding feast was filled with reclining guests. And the king, coming in to look over those reclining, he saw a man there not being dressed in a wedding garment. And he said to him, friend, how did you come in here, not having wedding garments? But he was silent. Then the king said to the servants, bind his feet and hands, take him away, and throw him out into the outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.
Revelation 3:18 (Yeshua speaking to the apostate church of Laodicea) I advise you to buy from Me gold having been refined by fire that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed and your shame and nakedness may not be revealed. And anoint your eyes with eye-salve, that you may see.
Revelation 3:4-5 (Yeshua speaking to the church of Sardis) You also have a few names in Sardis which did not defile their robes, and they shall walk with Me in white because they are worthy. The one overcoming, this one shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not at all blot his name out of the Book of Life; and I will acknowledge his name before My Father, and before His angels.
Revelation 7:9 After these things I saw, and behold, a great crowd which no one was able to number them, out of every nation, even tribes and peoples and tongues standing in front of the throne, and before the Lamb, having been clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.
Revelation 7:13-14 And one of the elders answered, saying to me, These, the ones having been clothed in the white robes, who are they, and from where did they come? And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are those coming out of the great tribulation; and they washed their robes and whitened them in the blood of the Lamb.
Matthew 13:41-42 (Yeshua is explaining the parable of the darnel of the field, and what will come at the end of this age) The Son of man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all the offenses, and those who practice lawlessness, And they will throw them into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and gnashing of the teeth. Then the righteous will shine out like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The one having ears to hear, let him hear.
Luke 13:28 There will be weeping and gnashing of the teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, but you being thrust outside.
Revelation 19:6-9 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Baptism in Salvation
By being baptized we are preparing ourselves for our marriage covenant with Yeshua. We are symbolically washing ourselves clean of the sins we have knowingly and unknowingly committed. This is only a symbolic washing clean with water. The true washing clean of our sins is spiritual and is with the blood of Yeshua Messiah.
Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
Hebrews 9:22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Revelation 7:14b And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Salvation means to have eternal life in the New Jerusalem. To have salvation we must have our sins washed away by the Blood of the Lamb of YHWH. His blood washes us clean when our faith in Him is alive.
Matthew 7:13-14 Go in through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to death. And many are the ones who go through it. For narrow is the gate, and constricted is the way that leads into life, and few are the ones who find it.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow as to the promise, as some deem slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not having purposed any of us to perish, but all of us to come to repentance.
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged over the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, those keeping the commandments of God, and having the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are the ones keeping the commands of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 22:12-14 And, behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each as his work is. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, the First and the Last. Blessed are the ones doing His commands, that their authority will be over the tree of life, and by the gates they may enter into the city.
May you be blessed by this study. Shalom.