Topical Encyclopedia
The term "comely" is often used in the Bible to describe beauty, attractiveness, or something that is pleasing to the eye or senses. In a biblical context, it can refer to both physical beauty and the beauty of character or behavior that aligns with God's standards.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, "comely" is frequently used to describe physical beauty, particularly in the context of women. For example, in
Song of Solomon 1:5 , the Shulammite woman declares, "I am dark, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon." Here, "lovely" is synonymous with "comely," indicating an attractiveness that is both physical and deeper in nature.
The term is also used to describe the beauty of Zion or Jerusalem, as seen in
Isaiah 52:7 : "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" The beauty here is not just physical but also spiritual, reflecting the glory and righteousness of God's people.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the concept of comeliness extends beyond physical appearance to include the beauty of holiness and righteous living. In
1 Corinthians 12:24 , Paul writes about the body of Christ, saying, "whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it." The idea here is that God has arranged the body of Christ in a way that is comely, or fitting, emphasizing the importance of unity and mutual respect among believers.
Spiritual and Moral ImplicationsFrom a spiritual perspective, comeliness is often associated with the inner beauty that comes from a life lived in accordance with God's will.
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 compared to the enduring comeliness of a godly character.
The Bible also speaks to the comeliness of worship and conduct. In
Psalm 93:5 , it is written, "Your testimonies are fully confirmed; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, for endless days." Here, holiness is described as an adornment, suggesting that a life of holiness is comely in the sight of God.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn biblical times, comeliness was often associated with social status and favor. A comely appearance could lead to preferential treatment or opportunities, as seen in the account of Esther, whose beauty and grace won her favor in the eyes of King Xerxes (
Esther 2:17).
However, the Bible consistently emphasizes that true comeliness is found in the fear of the Lord and the pursuit of righteousness. This perspective challenges cultural norms that prioritize outward appearance over inner virtue.
In summary, the biblical concept of comeliness encompasses both physical beauty and the deeper, more enduring beauty of a life aligned with God's principles. It serves as a reminder that while outward appearance may hold some value, it is the inner beauty of a godly character that is truly comely in the eyes of the Lord.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Good-looking; handsome; pleasing or agreeable to the sight; well-proportioned.
2. (superl.) Suitable or becoming; proper; agreeable.
3. (adv.) In a becoming manner.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
COMELINESS; COMELYkum'-li-nes, kum'-li: Cognate with "becoming," namely, what is suitable, graceful, handsome. The servant of Yahweh inIsaiah 53:2 is without "comeliness" (hadhar, "honor"), i.e. there is in his appearance nothing attractive, while he is bowed beneath man's sin. "Praise is comely" (na'wah,ff. of na'weh;Psalm 33:1;Psalm 147:1), i.e. suitable or befitting "for the righteous," and, therefore, an honor and glory; "uncomely parts," aschemona (1 Corinthians 12:23), namely, less honorable. See also1 Samuel 16:18, "a comely person";Songs 6:4, "comely as Jerusalem." etc.
Greek
2158. euschemon --comely...comely. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: euschemon Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo-skhay'-mone) Short Definition:
comely, honorable Definition: (a)
comely...4241. prepo -- to be fitting, proper, suitable
... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to be fitting, proper, suitable NASB
Word Usage fitting (4), proper (3).comely. Apparently...
Strong's Hebrew
5000. naveh --comely, seemly... 4999, 5000. naveh. 5001 .
comely, seemly. Transliteration: naveh Phonetic Spelling:
(naw-veh') Short Definition: lovely.
... becometh,
comely, seemly.
...4998. naah -- to becomely or befitting
... naah. 4999 . to becomely or befitting. Transliteration: naah Phonetic Spelling:
(naw-aw') Short Definition: lovely.... be beautiful, become, becomely....
8231b. shaphar -- to be beautiful, fair orcomely
... 8231a, 8231b. shaphar. 8232 . to be beautiful, fair orcomely. Transliteration:
shaphar Short Definition: beautiful. Word Origin a prim....
5116. naveh -- abode of shepherd or flocks, habitation
... 5115b, 5116. naveh. 5116a . abode of shepherd or flocks, habitation.
Transliteration: naveh Phonetic Spelling: (naw-veh') Short Definition:comely....
8597. tipharah -- beauty, glory
... 1), pomp (1), pride (1), splendor (1). beautiful, brave,comely, fair, glorious,
honor, majesty. Or tiphereth {tif-eh'-reth}; from...
3303. yapheh -- fair, beautiful
... sleek (3). beautiful, beauty,comely, fairest, one, goodly, pleasant, well. From
yaphah; beautiful (literally or figuratively) -- + beautiful...
2433. chin -- perhaps beauty
... Word Origin from chanan Definition perhaps beauty NASB Word Usage orderly (1).comely.
Another form for chen; beauty --comely. see HEBREW chen. 2432, 2433....
8389. toar -- outline, form
... be drawn, mark out. From ta'ar; outline, ie Figure or appearance -- + beautiful,
Xcomely, countenance, + fair, X favoured, form, X goodly, X resemble, visage....
8390. Taarea -- a descendant of Saul
... of Saul, the same as NH8475 NASB Word Usage Tarea (1). beautiful,comely, countenance,
fair, favored, goodly. Perhaps from ara'; Taarea, an Israelite -- Tarea....
3190. yatab -- to be good, well, glad, or pleasing
... or figuratively (happy, successful, right) -- be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit,
be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, becomely, + be content...
Library
It is aComely Thing
... It is acomely thing. tr., John Brownlie 6,6,8,6. deute proskunesomen kai prospesomen
auto. (kontakion). I. It is acomely thing. To glorify and praise....
Thy Cheeks areComely as a Turtle Dove's; Thy Neck as Jewels.
... CHAPTER I. 9. Thy cheeks arecomely as a turtle dove's; thy neck as jewels. The
cheeks signify the interior and exterior; they arecomely as a turtle dove's....
I am Black, butComely, O Ye Daughters of Jerusalem, as the Tents...
... COMMENTARY. CHAPTER I. 4. I am black, butcomely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon....
To Praise isComely, O My Soul,
... MEDITATIONS To praise iscomely, O my soul,. tr., John Brownlie 8.6.8.6.8.8.
I. To praise iscomely, O my soul,. To God this homage pay;...
Behold, Thou Art Fair, My Beloved, andComely; Our Bed is Adorned...
... COMMENTARY. CHAPTER I. 15. Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, andcomely;
our bed is adorned with flowers. The loving soul seeing...
Thou Art Beautiful, O My Love, Sweet andComely as Jerusalem...
... CHAPTER VI. 3. Thou art beautiful, O my love, sweet andcomely as Jerusalem,
terrible as an army set in array. The Bridegroom finding...
Rules for visits, Exorcisms, and How People are to Assist the Sick...
... Moreover, also, this iscomely and useful, that a man "visit orphans and widows,"
[409] and especially those poor persons who have many children....
Chapter i
... into his storechambers; we will exult and be glad in thee, remembering thy breasts
are better than wine, the upright love thee.5. I am black, butcomely, O ye...
What Priests Should be and Should not Be.
... This too, again, iscomely, that a man should not be envious of his neighbour.
And moreover, again, it is suitable andcomely that...
The Washing Away of Sins is Indicated by the White Robes of the...
... The washing away of sins is indicated by the white robes of the catechumens,
whence the Church speaks of herself as black andcomely....
Thesaurus
Comely (32 Occurrences)... COMELINESS;
COMELY. kum'-li-nes, kum'-li: Cognate with "becoming," namely, what
is suitable, graceful, handsome.
... "Praise is
comely" (na'wah,ff.
...Comeliness (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality or state of beingcomely. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. COMELINESS;COMELY. kum'-li...
Goodly (46 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) Excellently. 2. (superl.) Pleasant; agreeable; desirable. 3. (superl.)
of pleasing appearance or character;comely; graceful....
Countenance (67 Occurrences)
... The countenance (mar'eh) is"fair" (1 Samuel 17:42 2 Samuel 14:27 Daniel 1:15); in
1 Samuel 16:12, literally, "fair of eyes"; "comely" (Songs 2:14); "beautiful...
Handsome (15 Occurrences)
... Agreeable to the eye or to correct taste; having a pleasing appearance or expression;
attractive; having symmetry and dignity;comely; -- expressing more than...
Speech (107 Occurrences)
... I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty
man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and acomely person; and...
Valor (45 Occurrences)
... I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty
man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and acomely person; and...
Valour (66 Occurrences)
... seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skilful in playing, and a mighty
man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and acomely person; and...
Uncovered (78 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). 1 Corinthians 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is itcomely
that a woman pray unto God uncovered? (KJV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Uncomely (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Notcomely. -- adv. In an uncomely manner.
Multi-Version Concordance Uncomely (2 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians...
Resources
Comely: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
