Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of decoration is often associated with the adornment of sacred spaces, garments, and even individuals, reflecting the glory and beauty of God. The act of decorating is seen as a way to honor God and to create an environment that is fitting for worship and reverence.
Tabernacle and Temple DecorationsThe most detailed biblical accounts of decoration pertain to the Tabernacle and the Temple, where God provided specific instructions for their construction and adornment. In
Exodus 25-31, God commands Moses to build the Tabernacle, providing detailed instructions for its design and the materials to be used, including gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, and acacia wood. The purpose of these decorations was to reflect the holiness and majesty of God.
Exodus 28:2 states, "Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and splendor."
Similarly, the Temple built by Solomon was richly decorated.
1 Kings 6:29 describes the intricate carvings: "And he carved all the walls around the temple, in both the inner and outer sanctuaries, with cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers." The use of precious materials and detailed craftsmanship was intended to create a space that was worthy of God's presence.
Garments and Personal AdornmentThe Bible also addresses the decoration of garments, particularly those worn by priests and individuals of high status. The high priest's garments, as described in
Exodus 28, were adorned with gold, precious stones, and fine fabrics, symbolizing the beauty and holiness required for those who minister before God.
In the New Testament, the concept of adornment is addressed in the context of modesty and inner beauty.
1 Peter 3:3-4 advises, "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."
Symbolism and Spiritual SignificanceDecoration in the Bible often carries symbolic meaning. The use of specific colors, materials, and designs can represent various spiritual truths. For example, gold often symbolizes divinity and purity, while the use of blue and purple can signify royalty and heavenly authority.
The act of decorating, particularly in a religious context, is seen as an expression of worship and reverence. It reflects the desire to honor God with the best of what one has, acknowledging His sovereignty and majesty. The beauty and order of decoration in sacred spaces serve as a reminder of the beauty and order inherent in God's creation.
Warnings Against Excessive AdornmentWhile decoration is used to honor God, the Bible also warns against excessive or vain adornment. In
Isaiah 3:16-24, the prophet Isaiah condemns the pride and vanity of the daughters of Zion, who are obsessed with their appearance and adornments. This serves as a caution against allowing external beauty to overshadow inner spiritual qualities.
In summary, the biblical perspective on decoration emphasizes its role in honoring God and enhancing worship, while also encouraging believers to focus on inner beauty and spiritual adornment.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
v. t.) To deck with that which is ornamental, or honorary; to adorn; to embellish; to beautify; as, to decorate the person; to decorate a lawn with flowers; to decorate the mind with moral beauties; to decorate a hero with honors.
Greek
2885. kosmeo -- to order, arrange... Verb Transliteration: kosmeo Phonetic Spelling: (kos-meh'-o) Short Definition: I
put into order, adorn Definition: I put into order; I
decorate, deck, adorn.
...4737. stephanoo -- to crown
... to crown. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: stephanoo Phonetic Spelling:
(stef-an-o'-o) Short Definition: I crown, adorn Definition: I crown, adorn,decorate...
Strong's Hebrew
5710b. adah -- to ornament or deck oneself... root Definition to ornament or deck oneself NASB Word Usage adorn (1), adorn yourself
(1), adorned (2), adorns (1),
decorate (1), decorated yourselves (1
...3302. yaphah -- to be fair or beautiful
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be fair or beautiful NASB Word Usage beautiful
(5),decorate (1), fairer (1), make yourself beautiful (1)....
Library
How a Schoolmaster Became a God.
... The washermen far and near were told to bring cloths of different colours with which
to cover anddecorate the car, and payment for them was promised....
First Day in New York
... He could make a cross of flowers look like a picture, and he could make a bouquet
for the most particular bride, he coulddecorate a little chapel around the...
The Doctrine Adorned
... to the dictionary, and tell you something like this: 'To "adorn" is to set off to
advantage, to add to the attractiveness, to beautify, todecorate as with...
Rarity the Only Cause which Makes Such Things Valuable.
... Emeralds [121] lurk in their belts; and the sword (that hangs) below their bosom
alone is witness to the cylindrical stones thatdecorate its hilt; and the...
The Choice of Pursuits.
... fancy? To be one in a full procession?"to dig my kindred clay? Todecorate
the gallery of art? to clear a few acres of forest?...
The Good Samaritan
... with the march of life," and looks sadly upon the glittering stars and crosses which
adorn him, remembering how soon they will only serve todecorate his coffin...
Thankful Service.
... thankfulness. It is for this reason that we build beautiful Churches, and
decorate them with stained glass windows, and rich carvings....
The Messenger
... "I have another royal obelisk todecorate," he said, fixing the young man with a
steady eye, "of a surety,"without doubt,"inevitably,"for the thing is...
Athor, the Golden
... "By the grace of the mutable Hathors," the young man muttered as he dropped back
into his seat, "my father may yetdecorate a temple to Set, but by the same...
Profit and Loss
...Decorate the tenement, but suffer not the inhabitant to die of starvation; paint
not the ship while you are letting the crew perish for want of stores on board...
Thesaurus
Decorate (5 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To deck with that which is ornamental, or honorary;
to adorn; to embellish; to beautify; as, to
decorate the person; to
decorate...Decorated (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofDecorate. Multi-Version Concordance
Decorated (12 Occurrences). Luke 21:5 As some were talking...
Ostrich (9 Occurrences)
... These exquisite feathers were first used todecorate the headdress and shields of
desert chieftains, then as decorations for royalty, and later for hat and...
Jewelry (18 Occurrences)
... for men who come from far, to whom a messenger was sent, and behold, they came;
for whom you did wash yourself, paint your eyes, anddecorate yourself with...
Graves (37 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the
tombs of the prophets, anddecorate the tombs of the righteous, (See NIV)....
Grace (277 Occurrences)
... Called also grace hoop or hoops. 15. (vt) To adorn; todecorate; to embellish and
dignify. 16. (vt) To dignify or raise by an act of favor; to honor. 17....
Woe (102 Occurrences)
... hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets, anddecorate the tombs
of the righteous, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Wo (92 Occurrences)
... For you build the tombs of the prophets, anddecorate the tombs of the
righteous, (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Illuminate (1 Occurrence)
... a book. 2. (vt) To light up; todecorate with artificial lights, as a building
or city, in token of rejoicing or respect. 3. (vt...
Illustration (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A picture designed todecorate a volume or elucidate a literary work.
Multi-Version Concordance Illustration (3 Occurrences)....
Resources
Is Christmas a pagan holiday? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Advent? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are Jachin and Boaz? | GotQuestions.orgDecorate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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