Bible Dictionary
Spouse
Spouse means a husband or wife; in the cited biblical usage it especially refers to a bride or wife. Scripture also uses marriage imagery to portray covenant love.
Definition
Spouse means a husband or wife, though the supplied biblical usage of the term applies specifically to a bride or wife. In the Revised Version, the term is rendered “bride” in the Song of Solomon and “brides” in Hosea.
Biblical Usage
The word is used in marriage-related passages, especially the Song of Solomon and Hosea. The supplied material indicates that Scripture’s use in these passages denotes the bride or wife rather than the husband.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Cant. 4:8-12; Hos. 4:13, 14) may denote either husband or wife, but in the Scriptures it denotes only the latter.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Marriage]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>spouz (kallah, "bride," "daughter-in-law"): the Revised Version (British and American) gives "bride" for the King James Version "spouse" in So 4:8 ff, and "brides" for "spouses" in Ho 4:13 f (margin "daughters-in-law").</p><p>See ESPOUSAL; MARRIAGE; RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY.</p>