Bible Dictionary
Canopy
A canopy is a covering or enclosed shelter. Scripture uses the term for a bridal chamber or covering, and for a bed canopy in Judith.
Definition
A canopy is a covering or enclosed shelter. The Hebrew term may refer to a covering, a bridegroom’s chamber, or a bride’s chamber. In Judith, a canopy was a mosquito-net or covering over a bed.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses the term for the bridal chamber or covering in poetic and prophetic passages. Judith mentions the canopy of Holofernes.
Historical Background
The Hebrew chuppah originally described the chamber in which the bride awaited the bridegroom. The Greek term used in Judith first denoted a mosquito-net and then a useful or decorative bed canopy.
Scripture References
Jdt 10:21
Jdt 13:9
Jdt 16:19
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Judith 10:21; 13:9; 16:19. The canopy of Holofernes is the only one mentioned.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kan'-o-pi (chuppah, from a root meaning "to enclose" or "cover"): Isa 4:5 the King James Version has "defence," the English Revised Version "canopy," the American Standard Revised Version "covering," the last being best, though "canopy" has much in its favor. In Ps 19:5 (Hebrew 19:6) chuppah is used of the bridegroom's chamber and in Joe 2:16 of the bride's. Among the Hebrews the chuppah was originally the chamber in which the bride awaited the groom for the marital union. In Judith 10:21; 13:9,15; 16:19 the word canopy occurs as the English equivalent of the Greek konopeion, which was primarily a mosquito-net and then a canopy over a bed, whether for useful or for decorative purposes.</p><p>John Richard Sampey</p>