Topical Encyclopedia
The term "embellished" refers to something that is adorned or decorated, often to enhance its appearance or to add detail. In the context of the Bible, embellishment can be seen in both literal and metaphorical senses, reflecting the beauty and glory of God's creation, the splendor of the tabernacle and temple, and the adornment of spiritual truths.
Biblical Instances of Embellishment1.
The Tabernacle and Temple: The construction of the tabernacle and later the temple involved significant embellishment, as God provided specific instructions for their design. The use of gold, silver, precious stones, and fine fabrics was intended to reflect the glory and holiness of God. In
Exodus 25:9, God commands Moses, "You must make it according to all that I show you—the pattern of the tabernacle as well as the pattern of all its furnishings." The intricate details and embellishments served to create a space worthy of God's presence.
2.
Priestly Garments: The garments of the high priest were also richly embellished, symbolizing the beauty and sanctity of the priestly office.
Exodus 28:2 states, "Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor." These garments included gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and were adorned with precious stones, signifying the priest's role as a mediator between God and the people.
3.
Wisdom Literature: In a metaphorical sense, the embellishment of language is evident in the wisdom literature of the Bible. Proverbs, for example, uses vivid imagery and poetic devices to convey deep spiritual truths.
Proverbs 25:11 states, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." This verse highlights the beauty and value of well-chosen words, suggesting that wisdom itself is an embellishment to life.
4.
The Bride of Christ: The New Testament uses the imagery of embellishment to describe the Church, the Bride of Christ. In
Revelation 21:2, John writes, "I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." This adornment signifies the purity and beauty of the Church, made ready for Christ through His redemptive work.
5.
Spiritual Adornment: The concept of spiritual embellishment is also present in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to adorn themselves with virtues.
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." Here, the emphasis is on the inner beauty that reflects a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Theological ImplicationsEmbellishment in the Bible often points to the glory and majesty of God, as well as the beauty of holiness. The physical embellishments of the tabernacle and temple serve as a reminder of God's desire for order, beauty, and reverence in worship. Similarly, the spiritual embellishments of wisdom and virtue highlight the transformative power of God's grace in the lives of believers. Through these embellishments, both literal and metaphorical, Scripture reveals the splendor of God's creation and His redemptive plan for humanity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Embellish.
Library
A Comparison of the Truth with Eloquence: Why the Philosophers Did
... and undisguised truth should be more clear, because it has sufficient ornament of
itself, and on this account it is corrupted whenembellished [365] with...
Narrative Concerning the Prince of the Edessenes.
... great many ecclesiastical fictions have grown up around his name, the story, contained
in its simplest form in the present chapter, beingembellished with many...
Herodotus and Xenophon.
... For this reason, among others, the Greeks wrote narratives of the great events which
occurred in their day, which narratives they soembellished and adorned by...
Womanhood of the Byzantine Decadence
... Blemmidas had so beautifullyembellished the church of the monastery of which he
was abbot, that it was frequently visited by members of the court....
Solomon's Reign.
... According to the most modern computation the precious materials, such as gold with
which it wasembellished, amounted to something like six hundred million...
Other Arts Made Subservient to Idolatry. Lawful Means of Gaining a...
... For it matters not whether you erect or equip: if you haveembellished his temple,
altar, or niche; if you have pressed out gold-leaf, or have wrought his...
Influence of the Lxx. On Christian Biblical Literature.
... They pleaded its venerable age and its use by the Evangelists and Apostles; they
accepted and oftenembellished the legend of its birth [932] , and, following...
The General Service to a Hiero-Confessor or Monk-Confessor.
... Having increased thy talent of wisdom, thou O opulent one, wast made worthy of the
joy of thy Lord;embellished with the grace of the divine beaming and...
Prophets and Kingsforeword
... This new edition isembellished with attractive illustrations, many of
them original paintings designed especially for this work....
The veneration of saints and relics
... The onslaught of the iconoclasts of the ninth century stripped Eastern worship of
much that beautified andembellished it, but icons, or sacred pictures...
Thesaurus
Embellished (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Embellish. Multi-Version Concordance
Embellished (1 Occurrence). Luke 21:5 When some were
...Antioch (21 Occurrences)
... The city was enlarged andembellished by successive kings of the Seleucid Dynasty,
notably by Seleucus Callinicus (246-226 BC), and Antiochus Epiphanes (175...
Syria (73 Occurrences)
... The city was enlarged andembellished by successive kings of the Seleucid Dynasty,
notably by Seleucus Callinicus (246-226 BC), and Antiochus Epiphanes (175...
Zoan (7 Occurrences)
... This city was also called "the Field of Zoan" (Psalm 78:12, 43) and "the Town of
Rameses" (qv), because the oppressor rebuilt andembellished it, probably by...
Remarking (4 Occurrences)
... Luke 21:5 When some were remarking about the Temple, how it wasembellished
with beautiful stones and dedicated gifts, He said, (WEY NIV)....
Embers (2 Occurrences)
Embedded (1 Occurrence)
Delos
... the chief seats of worship of the two deities. Numerous templesembellished
Delos. The most magnificent was that of Apollo, which...
Dedicated (37 Occurrences)
... Luke 21:5 When some were remarking about the Temple, how it wasembellished
with beautiful stones and dedicated gifts, He said, (WEY NIV)....
Caesara
... This town was afterwards enlarged andembellished by Herod Philip, the tetrarch
of Trachonitis, of whose territory it formed a part, and was called by him...
Resources
What does it mean that the scepter will not depart from Judah (Genesis 49:10)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat similarities are there between the Gilgamesh flood account and the biblical flood account? | GotQuestions.orgDid the Apostle Thomas (St. Thomas) take the gospel all the way to India? | GotQuestions.orgEmbellished: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
