Topical Encyclopedia
The term "fair" in the Bible is often associated with beauty, justice, and righteousness. It appears in various contexts, reflecting both physical attractiveness and moral integrity. The concept of fairness is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, emphasizing God's creation, human relationships, and divine justice.
Physical Beauty:In the Scriptures, "fair" is frequently used to describe physical beauty. For instance, in
Genesis 12:11, Abram refers to his wife Sarai as "a beautiful woman" , highlighting her physical attractiveness. Similarly, in
Esther 2:7, Esther is described as "lovely in form and features" , indicating her physical appeal, which plays a significant role in her account.
The Song of Solomon, a poetic book celebrating love and beauty, often uses the term "fair" to describe the beloved. In
Song of Solomon 1:15, the lover exclaims, "How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how very beautiful!" . This expression of admiration underscores the appreciation of physical beauty within the context of marital love.
Moral Integrity and Justice:Beyond physical appearance, "fair" also conveys a sense of moral integrity and justice. The Bible frequently emphasizes fairness in dealings with others, reflecting God's character as just and righteous. In
Leviticus 19:15, the Israelites are commanded, "Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly" . This directive underscores the importance of impartiality and fairness in judgment, aligning human actions with divine justice.
Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight" . This proverb highlights the value God places on fairness and honesty in business and personal interactions, reflecting His desire for righteousness in all aspects of life.
Divine Justice:The concept of fairness is also integral to understanding God's justice. The Bible portrays God as the ultimate judge who administers justice fairly and without partiality. In
Deuteronomy 32:4, God is described as "a God of faithfulness and without injustice; righteous and upright is He" . This depiction assures believers of God's fair and just nature, providing a foundation for trust in His judgments.
In the New Testament, the theme of divine justice continues.
Romans 2:6-11 emphasizes that God "will repay each one according to his deeds" and that "there is no favoritism with God" . This passage reinforces the idea that God's judgment is fair and impartial, rewarding righteousness and punishing wickedness.
Human Relationships:Fairness in human relationships is a recurring theme in the Bible, particularly in the context of love and marriage.
Ephesians 5:25-33 instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, highlighting the fairness and selflessness required in marital relationships. This passage calls for mutual respect and love, reflecting the fairness that should characterize Christian relationships.
In summary, the biblical concept of "fair" encompasses both physical beauty and moral integrity. It reflects God's creation, His just nature, and His expectations for human relationships. The Bible consistently calls for fairness in judgment, business, and personal interactions, aligning with the divine standard of righteousness and justice.
Topical Bible Verses
Leviticus 19:18You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
Topicalbible.orgRevelation 3:10
Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come on all the world, to try them that dwell on the earth.
Topicalbible.org
1 John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Topicalbible.org
Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Topicalbible.org
Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Topicalbible.org
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Fair Havens
A harbour in the south of Crete, some 5 miles to the east of which was the town of Lasea (Acts 27:8). Here the ship of Alexandria in which Paul and his companions sailed was detained a considerable time waiting for a favourable wind. Contrary to Paul's advice, the master of the ship determined to prosecute the voyage, as the harbour was deemed incommodious for wintering in (9-12). The result was that, after a stormy voyage, the vessel was finally wrecked on the coast of Malta (27:40-44).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
superl.) Free from spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection; unblemished; clean; pure.
2. (superl.) Pleasing to the eye; handsome; beautiful.
3. (superl.) Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a fair skin.
4. (superl.) Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; favorable; -- said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.; as, a fair sky; a fair day.
5. (superl.) Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unencumbered; open; direct; -- said of a road, passage, etc.; as, a fair mark; in fair sight; a fair view.
6. (superl.) Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; -- said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.
7. (superl.) Characterized by frankness, honesty, impartiality, or candor; open; upright; free from suspicion or bias; equitable; just; -- said of persons, character, or conduct; as, a fair man; fair dealing; a fair statement.
8. (superl.) Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and confidence; -- said of words, promises, etc.
9. (superl.) Distinct; legible; as, fair handwriting.
10. (superl.) Free from any marked characteristic; average; middling; as, a fair specimen.
11. (adv.) Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; auspiciously; agreeably.
12. (n.) Fairness, beauty.
13. (n.) A fair woman; a sweetheart.
14. (n.) Good fortune; good luck.
15. (v. t.) To make fair or beautiful.
16. (v. t.) To make smooth and flowing, as a vessel's lines.
17. (n.) A gathering of buyers and sellers, assembled at a particular place with their merchandise at a stated or regular season, or by special appointment, for trade.
18. (n.) A festival, and sale of fancy articles. etc., usually for some charitable object; as, a Grand Army fair.
19. (n.) A competitive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc., not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics' fair; an agricultural fair.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FAIRfar: The word translated in the King James Version from 9 Hebrew and 4 Greek expressions has nowhere in the Bible the modern sense of "blond," "fair-skinned." The translation ofIsaiah 54:11, "fair colors," refers to the cosmetic use of pukh, stibium, antimony powder, with which black margins were painted around the eyelids, so as to make the eyes appear large and dark. The stones of rebuilt Jerusalem, beautifully laid in their black mortar, are compared with such eyes. We can distinguish the following varieties of meaning:
(1) Beautiful, attractive, Tobh, yaphah, yapheh; Aramaic shappir; Septuagint kalos; in the New Testament asteios. This latter word is in both places where it is found used of Moses (Acts 7:20Hebrews 11:23, the Revised Version (British and American) "goodly"), and means literally, town bred (as opposed to boorish), polite, polished in manners, urbane, then nice, pretty.
(2) Pure, free of defilement, the Revised Version (British and American) "clean," Tahor (Zechariah 3:5).
(3) "Fair speech," plausible, persuasive (leqah,Proverbs 7:21; eulalos, Sirach 6:5; compare eulogia,Romans 16:18).
(4) Making a fine display (euprosopein,Galatians 6:12, "to make a fair show").
(5) Good (of weather) (zahabh, "golden," "clear,"Job 37:2, 2, the Revised Version (British and American) "golden splendor"); eudia (Matthew 16:2).
H. L. E. Luering
FAIR HAVENS
far ha'-v'-nz (Kaloi Limenes): A roadstead on the South coast of Crete, about 5 miles East of Cape Matala, the most southerly point of the island. The harbor is formed by a bay, open to the East, and sheltered on the Southwest by two small islands. Here Paul waited for a considerable time (Acts 27:9); but while it afforded good anchorage and a shelter from North and Northwest winds, "the haven was not commodious to winter in" (Acts 27:8, 12).
SeeCRETE.
HAVENS, FAIR
ha'-v'-nz.
SeeFAIR HAVENS.
Greek
2105. eudia --fair weather...fair weather. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: eudia Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo-dee'-ah) Short Definition: good weather Definition:
fair weather
...2568. Kaloi Limenes --Fair Havens, a harbor in Crete
...Fair Havens, a harbor in Crete. Transliteration: Kaloi Limenes Phonetic Spelling:
(kal-oy' lee-men'-es) Short Definition: Havens. Word Origin pl....fair havens....
791. asteios -- of the town, by impl. courteous, elegant
... courteous, elegant. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: asteios Phonetic
Spelling: (as-ti'-os) Short Definition: elegant, pretty,fair, fine, beautiful...
1933. epieikes -- seemly, equitable, yielding
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: epieikes Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-i-kace') Short Definition: gentle, mild, forbearing,fair, reasonable Definition...
2146. euprosopeo -- to be of good countenance, ie to look well
... ie to look well. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: euprosopeo Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo-pros-o-peh'-o) Short Definition: I make afair outward appearance...
2129. eulogia -- praise, blessing
... bountifully (2), flattering speech (1). blessing, bounty,fair speech. From
the same as eulogeo; fine speaking, ie Elegance of language...
2570. kalos -- beautiful, good
... word Definition beautiful, good NASB Word Usage beautiful (1), better (5), better*
(2), commendable manner (1), excellent (1),fair (1), fine (2), good (79...
5611. horaios -- seasonable, timely
... seasonable, timely. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: horaios Phonetic
Spelling: (ho-rah'-yos) Short Definition:fair, beautiful Definition:fair...
1932. epieikeia -- fairness, gentleness
... Cognate: 1932 (from 1909 , ", fitting," which intensifies , "reasonable,
fair, equitable," ) -- justice-beyond-justice"). 1932...
2481. isos -- perhaps
... Cognate: 2481 (from 2470 , "equal") -- properly, ; actingfair, in a way that
is fit (apt), ie to actual reality (worth). See 2470 ()....
Strong's Hebrew
3303. yapheh --fair, beautiful... 3302, 3303. yapheh. 3304 .
fair, beautiful. Transliteration: yapheh Phonetic
Spelling: (yaw-feh') Short Definition: beautiful. Word
...8209. shappir --fair, beautiful
... 8208, 8209. shappir. 8210 .fair, beautiful. Transliteration: shappir Phonetic
Spelling: (shap-peer') Short Definition: beautiful....fair....
3302. yaphah -- to befair or beautiful
... yaphah. 3303 . to befair or beautiful. Transliteration: yaphah Phonetic Spelling:
(yaw-faw') Short Definition: beautiful.... be beautiful, befair, deck....
8232. shephar -- to befair or seemly
... 8231b, 8232. shephar. 8233 . to befair or seemly. Transliteration: shephar
Phonetic Spelling: (shef-ar') Short Definition: good....
8231b. shaphar -- to be beautiful,fair or comely
... 8231a, 8231b. shaphar. 8232 . to be beautiful,fair or comely. Transliteration:
shaphar Short Definition: beautiful. Word Origin a prim....
2898. tub -- good things, goods, goodness
... Word Origin from tob Definition good things, goods, goodness NASB Word Usage best
(3), best things (1), bounty (2), comeliness (1),fair (1), glad (2), good (2...
8597. tipharah -- beauty, glory
... 1), pomp (1), pride (1), splendor (1). beautiful, brave, comely,fair, glorious,
honor, majesty. Or tiphereth {tif-eh'-reth}; from...
2896. towb -- pleasant, agreeable, good
... Definition: beautiful. beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease,
fair word, be in favor, From towb; good (as an adjective...
6320. puk -- antimony, stibium
...fair colors, glistering, painted. From an unused root meaning to paint; dye
(specifically, stibium for the eyes) --fair colours, glistering, paint(-ed) (-ing)....
2603. chanan -- to show favor, be gracious
... nan') Short Definition: beseech. beseech,fair, be, find, show favorable,
be deal, give, grant graciously, A primitive root (compare...
Library
HowFair and How Pleasant Art Thou, O Love, for Delights!
... CHAPTER VII. 6. Howfair and how pleasant art thou, O Love, for delights!... Thou art
fair and enchanting, for thou art clothed with all My perfections....
"The Soul that Beholdeth theFair Nature of Our Lord Jesus, it...
... THE SIXTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXXVI "The soul that beholdeth thefair
nature of our Lord Jesus, it hateth no hell but sin". "The...
And in ThyFair, Calm Haven, Blest,
... STILLING THE TEMPEST I And in Thyfair, calm haven, blest,. 8,8,8,8.... The winds and
threatening waves control. And in Thyfair, calm haven, blest,....
Little King, SoFair and Sweet
... No. 125 Little King, sofair and sweet. FOR CHILDREN Little King, sofair and
sweet. School Hymn SND From a Slovak Hymnal Arr. by NAM. Unison....
Thou Art allFair, My Love, There is no Spot in Thee.
... CHAPTER IV. 7. Thou art allfair, my love, there is no spot in thee. Until
the soul was wholly immersed in bitterness and crosses...
HowFair are Thy Breasts, My Sister Spouse! Thy Breasts are Fairer...
... CHAPTER IV. 10. Howfair are thy breasts, my sister Spouse! thy breasts are fairer
than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices....
Suppose a Curious andFair Woman
... THE SECOND CENTURY 68 Suppose a curious andfair woman. Suppose a curious andfair
woman. Some have seen the beauties of Heaven in such a person....
Behold, Thou ArtFair, My Love; Behold, Thou ArtFair; Thou Hast...
... COMMENTARY. CHAPTER I. 14. Behold, thou artfair, my love; behold, thou
artfair; thou hast doves' eyes. The Well-beloved beholding...
He Thought the Stars asFair Now
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 24 He thought the stars asfair now. He thought the
stars asfair now, as they were in Eden, the sun as bright...
Behold, Thou ArtFair, My Beloved, and Comely; Our Bed is Adorned...
... COMMENTARY. CHAPTER I. 15. Behold, thou artfair, my beloved, and comely;
our bed is adorned with flowers. The loving soul seeing...
Thesaurus
Fair (147 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary
Fair Havens.
... 2. (superl.) Pleasing to the eye; handsome;
beautiful. 3. (superl.) Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a
fair skin.
...Darling (13 Occurrences)
... carriages. (See NAS NIV). Song of Songs 1:15 See, you arefair, my love,
you arefair; you have the eyes of a dove. (See NAS NIV)....
Phoenix (2 Occurrences)
... The ship was then able to make her way along the South shore of Crete to a harbor
calledFair Havens (Kaloi Limenes), near a city Lasea (Lasaia)....
Havens (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible DictionaryFair Havens. A harbour in the south of... 27:40-44).
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.FAIR HAVENS. far ha'-v...
Jewelry (18 Occurrences)
... thing. (See NIV). Ezekiel 16:11 And I made youfair with ornaments and put
jewels on your hands and a chain on your neck. (See NIV)....
Weather (5 Occurrences)
... There seems to be no word in the Hebrew corresponding to "weather." In Job 37:22
the King James Version translates "Fair weather comes out of the north," but...
Delicate (32 Occurrences)
... 6. (a.) Soft andfair; -- said of the skin or a surface; as, a delicate cheek; a
delicate complexion.... Those who havefair robes are in kings' houses....
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...
Crete (7 Occurrences)
... The excavations of Mr. Evans at Knossos and of the Italians at Phastos (nearFair
Havens) prove that Crete was a center of Mediterranean civilization in an...
Lasea (1 Occurrence)
... LASEA. la-se'-a (Lasaia): A town on the South coast of Crete, 5 miles East ofFair
Havens (Acts 27:8). The ruins were examined in 1856 by G. Brown (see Code of...
Resources
Why is life not fair? | GotQuestions.orgIs God fair? | GotQuestions.orgIf we are born in sin, how is it fair for God to judge us for our sin? | GotQuestions.orgFair: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus