Topical Encyclopedia
The term "fairest" is often used in the Bible to describe beauty, purity, and excellence, particularly in the context of love and admiration. It is most prominently featured in the Song of Solomon, a poetic book that celebrates the beauty of love and the beloved.
Biblical References:1.
Song of Solomon 1:8 · "If you do not know, O most beautiful of women, follow the tracks of the sheep and graze your young goats by the tents of the shepherds." Here, the term "most beautiful" is synonymous with "fairest," highlighting the beloved's unmatched beauty and desirability.
2.
Song of Solomon 5:9 · "How is your beloved better than others, O most beautiful of women? How is your beloved better than others, that you charge us so?" The friends of the Shulammite woman inquire about the uniqueness of her beloved, emphasizing her own beauty as the "fairest."
3.
Song of Solomon 6:1 · "Where has your beloved gone, O most beautiful of women? Which way has your beloved turned? We will seek him with you." Again, the Shulammite is addressed as the "fairest," underscoring her exceptional beauty and the admiration she commands.
Theological Significance:In the biblical context, "fairest" is not merely a reference to physical beauty but also to the inner qualities that make one admirable and beloved. The Song of Solomon uses this term to convey the deep affection and admiration between the lovers, symbolizing the ideal relationship between God and His people. The beauty of the beloved is a reflection of divine love and grace, suggesting that true beauty is found in the purity and devotion of one's heart.
Symbolism and Allegory:The use of "fairest" in the Song of Solomon has been interpreted allegorically by many Christian theologians. The beloved is often seen as a representation of the Church or the soul, while the lover is Christ. In this view, the "fairest" is the Church, adorned with the righteousness and beauty bestowed by Christ. This interpretation emphasizes the transformative power of divine love, which makes the Church beautiful and pure in the eyes of God.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Near Eastern culture, beauty was highly valued and often associated with divine favor. The use of "fairest" in the Song of Solomon reflects this cultural appreciation for beauty, both physical and spiritual. The poetic language and imagery used in the text are characteristic of ancient love poetry, which often celebrated the beloved's beauty as a reflection of their worth and virtue.
Application for Believers:For contemporary believers, the concept of "fairest" serves as a reminder of the importance of inner beauty and spiritual purity. It encourages Christians to cultivate a heart that is pleasing to God, reflecting His love and grace in their lives. The admiration expressed in the Song of Solomon can inspire believers to seek a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ, who sees them as "fairest" through His redemptive work.
Strong's Hebrew
3303. yapheh -- fair, beautiful... 1), handsome (4), sleek (3). beautiful, beauty, comely,
fairest, one, goodly,
pleasant, well. From yaphah; beautiful (literally or
...Library
The Brightest and theFairest,
... CANON FOR EASTER DAY BY ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS The brightest and thefairest,. tr.,
John Brownlie... This is the chosen day of God,. The brightest and thefairest,....
Fairest Lord Jesus
... III. SACRAMENTS AND RITES Catechism 356.Fairest Lord Jesus. 5.6.8.5.5.8 [1365]Fairest
Lord Jesus: M?�nster Gesangbuch, 1677. [1366]St. Elizabeth:...
Fairest of all the Lights Above,
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CXCIFairest of all the lights above,. Thou
Sun, whose beams adorn the spheres, And with unwearied swiftness move....
If Thou Know Not, O ThouFairest among Women, Go Thy Way Forth by...
... CHAPTER I. 7. If thou know not, O thoufairest among women, go thy way forth by
the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents....
What is Thy Beloved, More than Another Beloved, O ThouFairest...
... CHAPTER V. 9. What is thy beloved, more than another beloved, O thoufairest
among women! what is thy beloved, more than another...
Whither is Thy Beloved Gone, O ThouFairest among Women? Whither...
... CHAPTER V. 17. Whither is thy beloved gone, O thoufairest among women? Whither
is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee....
Lastly He Displays at Length the Folly of Eunomius, who at Times...
... Lastly he displays at length the folly of Eunomius, who at times speaks of the Holy
Spirit as created, and as thefairest work of the Son, and at other times...
The Lily of the Valley. PM
... I have found a friend in Jesus, he's everything to me, He's thefairest of ten thousand
to my soul; The Lily of the Valley, in him alone I see All I need to...
Self-Humbling and Self-Searching
... the people of God to a special survey of our text, "Look not upon me, because I
am black," our first remark shall be this: thefairest Christians are the most...
For the Love of Christ.
... myfairest Light, Who in Thy soul dost love me, I ne'er can tell it, nor its height
Mete, 'tis so high above me, Grant that my heart may warm to Thee, With...
Thesaurus
Fairest (5 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Fairest (5 Occurrences).
... Song of Songs 5:9 How is your
beloved better than another beloved, you
fairest among women?
...Flower (33 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Thefairest, freshest, and choicest part of anything; as, the flower of
an army, or of a family; the state or time of freshness and bloom; as, the...
Fairly (8 Occurrences)
Kids (12 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 1:8 If thou know not, O thoufairest among women, go thy way forth
by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents....
Fairer (4 Occurrences)
Adjure (16 Occurrences)
... love. (WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV). Song of Songs 5:9 How is your beloved
better than another beloved, youfairest among women? How...
Ephraim (168 Occurrences)
... among the tribes. It occupied the central andfairest portions of the land,
and had Shiloh and Shechem within its borders. But now...
Footsteps (30 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 1:8 If thou know not, O thoufairest among women, go thy way forth
by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents....
Booths (24 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 1:8 If thou know not, thoufairest among women, Go thy way forth by
the footsteps of the flock, And feed thy kids beside the shepherds' booths....
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