He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.
but the friend of the bridegroom; meaning himself: and such is every true minister of the Gospel; he is a lover of Christ, a friend to his interest, and seeks by all means to promote it, and to bring souls unto him. The allusion is to a custom among the Jews, who, at their marriages, used to have persons both on the side of the bride, and of the bridegroom, as companions that attended each, and were called their friends; see Judges 14:20. Such an one is called by the Rabbins, שושבין; and this word is interpreted by אוהב, "a lover", or "friend", the same as here; and by רעהו, "his" (the bridegroom's) "friend" in the time of his marriage s. There were two of these, one for the bride, and another for the bridegroom; for so it is said t, formerly they appointed two שושבינין,