Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of attractiveness in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing physical beauty, inner character, and spiritual allure. While the Bible acknowledges physical beauty, it places a greater emphasis on the attractiveness of one's character and spirit.
Physical BeautyPhysical attractiveness is mentioned in several biblical narratives. For instance, Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is described as beautiful in appearance (
Genesis 12:11). Similarly, Rachel is noted for her beauty: "Now Rachel was shapely and beautiful" (
Genesis 29:17). Esther's physical beauty also plays a significant role in her account, as she finds favor in the eyes of King Xerxes (
Esther 2:7).
However, the Bible warns against placing undue emphasis on outward appearance.
Proverbs 31:30 states, "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." This verse highlights the transient nature of physical beauty and elevates the fear of the Lord as a more enduring and praiseworthy trait.
Inner Beauty and CharacterThe Bible places a strong emphasis on the attractiveness of one's character. In
1 Samuel 16:7 , the Lord tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This passage underscores the importance of inner beauty over physical appearance.
The New Testament echoes this sentiment. In
1 Peter 3:3-4 , women are encouraged, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight." Here, the attractiveness of a gentle and quiet spirit is highlighted as being of great value.
Spiritual AttractivenessSpiritual attractiveness is also a significant theme in the Bible. The beauty of holiness is celebrated in passages such as
Psalm 29:2 : "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness." The attractiveness of a life devoted to God is seen as a reflection of His glory and splendor.
The Apostle Paul speaks of the spiritual attractiveness of believers in
2 Corinthians 2:15 : "For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." This metaphor of a sweet aroma suggests that the life of a believer, marked by Christ-like qualities, is attractive to God and can draw others to Him.
ConclusionIn summary, while the Bible acknowledges physical beauty, it places a greater emphasis on the attractiveness of one's character and spiritual life. True attractiveness, according to Scripture, is found in a heart that fears the Lord, a gentle and quiet spirit, and a life that reflects the holiness and love of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Having the power or quality of attracting or drawing; as, the attractive force of bodies.
2. (a.) Attracting or drawing by moral influence or pleasurable emotion; alluring; inviting; pleasing.
3. (n.) That which attracts or draws; an attraction; an allurement.
Greek
3169. megaloprepes -- befitting a great one... make becoming, appropriate") -- properly, ("") what is magnificent and splendid
(full of majesty); "sublime" (Thayer); "unusually
attractive and beautiful
...2573. kalos -- well
... Cognate: 2573 (the adverbial form of 2570 ) -- well-; as good (advantageous,
appealing), ie as "winsomelyattractive." See 2570 ()....
2436. hileos -- propitious
... Perhaps from the alternate form of haireomai; cheerful (asattractive), ie Propitious;
adverbially (by Hebraism) God be gracious!, ie (in averting some calamity...
Library
TheAttractive Force of the Cross.
... IV. THEATTRACTIVE FORCE OF THE CROSS.... To the penitent the Cross isattractive as
an open door to the prisoner, or the harbour-heads to the storm-tossed ship....
TheAttractive Power of God
... ECKHART'S SERMONS I THEATTRACTIVE POWER OF GOD. THEATTRACTIVE POWER
OF GOD St John 6:44.""No one can come unto Me, except the...
Our Drawing Power.
... Jesus. Man himself is the mostattractive thing on God's earth. He has
the greatest drawing power. He isattractive to God. He...
Of Perfect Conversion, which is an Effect of this Method of Prayer...
... centre. The centre has always a strongattractive power; and the larger
the centre, the stronger is itsattractive force. Besides...
Of Conversion
... God has anattractive virtue which draws the soul more and more powerfully to Himself,
the nearer it approaches towards Him, and, in attracting, He purifies...
viii
... with the exception of a very few who have made the study a specialty, our educated
men shew a most unaccountable ignorance of the mostattractive and valuable...
Home and the Home-Maker.
... To preserve the family circle, the home must be madeattractive.... The home must
be made moreattractive than the street or places of amusement....
Preaching (ii. ).
... I pursue the subject ofattractive preaching, taking still the wordattractive in
its worthiest sense, and again laying stress on the necessity of...
Pray to Thy Father which is in Secret or Alone with God.
... A teacher is always anxious that his schoolroom should be bright andattractive,
filled with the light and air of heaven, a place where pupils long to come...
Social Recreation.
... Life, activity, exercise, each must have some method of spending itself. Some normal
method, some right method, someattractive method must be chosen....
Thesaurus
Attractive (6 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Having the power or quality of attracting or drawing;
as, the
attractive force of bodies.
...Attractive (6 Occurrences).
...Attraction (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The power or act of alluring, drawing to, inviting, or engaging; an
attractive quality; as, the attraction of beauty or eloquence....
Color (18 Occurrences)
... change or alter, as if by dyeing or painting; to give a false appearance to; usually,
to give a specious appearance to; to cause to appearattractive; to make...
Idolatry (14 Occurrences)
... 3:5 1 Peter 4:3). The neighboring gods of Phoenicia, Canaan, Moab-Baal, Melkart,
Astarte, Chemosh, Moloch, etc.-were particularlyattractive to Jerusalem...
Kidron (11 Occurrences)
... as meaning "of the cedars." The Hebrew word has been very generally accepted as
from qadhar, "to become black," but it is anattractive suggestion (Cheyne...
Naaman (19 Occurrences)
... the two kingdoms at the time. The character of Naaman is at onceattractive
and manly. His impulsive patriotic preference for the...
Untempered (5 Occurrences)
... The surface is rubbed smooth and isattractive in appearance. This coating prolongs
the life of the wall but requires yearly attention if the wall is to stand....
Ornament (23 Occurrences)
... moral character. Yet the employment ofattractive attire receives sanction
in the divine example of Ezekiel 16:10-14. Ornaments...
Leah (30 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 29:17 Leah's eyes
were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form andattractive....
Lusted (14 Occurrences)
... lusted after the children of Asshur her neighbours, governors and rulers, clothed
most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of themattractive young men...
Resources
Can a Christian woman consider getting breast implants / breast augmentation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is churchianity? | GotQuestions.orgWhen does hygiene cross the line and become vanity? | GotQuestions.orgAttractive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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