Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "garnish" in biblical context generally refers to the act of adorning or decorating something to enhance its appearance. It is used both literally and metaphorically in the Scriptures, often implying an external beautification that may or may not reflect the internal reality.
Biblical References:1.
Literal Adornment: · In the Old Testament, the concept of garnishing is often associated with the beautification of sacred spaces. For example, the Temple built by Solomon was richly adorned with gold, precious stones, and intricate carvings, reflecting the glory and majesty of God. Although the specific term "garnish" is not used in these descriptions, the idea of beautification is evident in passages like
1 Kings 6:29-30, where the walls of the Temple are described as being carved with figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and overlaid with gold.
2.
Metaphorical Usage: · In the New Testament, Jesus uses the concept of garnishing in a metaphorical sense to critique the Pharisees and religious leaders. In
Matthew 23:27, He compares them to "whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean." Here, the act of garnishing is symbolic of hypocrisy, where outward appearances are maintained while inner corruption remains.
3.
Spiritual Implications: · The metaphorical use of garnishing extends to spiritual teachings about authenticity and integrity. In
Matthew 12:43-45, Jesus speaks of an unclean spirit that returns to a person, finding the house "empty, swept, and garnished" (KJV). This passage warns against superficial spiritual renewal that lacks true repentance and transformation, suggesting that mere external adornment without genuine change leaves one vulnerable to greater spiritual peril.
Theological Insights:·
External vs. Internal Righteousness: The biblical use of "garnish" often highlights the tension between external appearances and internal realities. Scripture consistently emphasizes that God values the heart over outward appearances (
1 Samuel 16:7). The act of garnishing, when disconnected from true righteousness, serves as a caution against superficiality in one's spiritual life.
·
Holiness and Worship: The beautification of sacred spaces, such as the Temple, underscores the importance of reverence and honor in worship. While the physical adornment of worship spaces can reflect the glory of God, it is ultimately the purity and devotion of the worshippers' hearts that constitute true worship.
·
Moral and Ethical Conduct: The metaphorical use of garnishing in the teachings of Jesus serves as a call to moral and ethical integrity. Believers are encouraged to cultivate inner holiness that aligns with their outward expressions of faith, avoiding the pitfalls of hypocrisy and self-righteousness.
Conclusion:The concept of garnishing in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of aligning external actions with internal convictions. Whether in the context of worship or personal conduct, the Scriptures call for a harmony between the outward and the inward, reflecting the true nature of a life devoted to God.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Overlay with stones (
2 Chronicles 3:6), adorn (
Revelation 21:19), deck with garlands (
Matthew 23:29), furnish (
12:44).
InJob 26:13 (Hebrews shiphrah, meaning "brightness"), "By his spirit the heavens are brightness" i.e., are bright, splendid, beautiful.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To surround with additions; to adorn; to embellish.
2. (v. t.) To ornament, as a dish, with something laid about it; as, a dish garnished with parsley.
3. (v. t.) To furnish; to supply.
4. (v. t.) To fit with fetters.
5. (v. t.) To warn by garnishment; to give notice to; to garnishee. See Garnishee, v. t.
6. (n.) Something added for embellishment; decoration; ornament; also, dress; garments, especially such as are showy or decorated.
7. (n.) Something set round or upon a dish as an embellishment. See Garnish, v. t., 2.
8. (v. t.) Fetters.
9. (n.) A fee; specifically, in English jails, formerly an unauthorized fee demanded by the old prisoners of a newcomer.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GARNISHgar'-nish (tsippah, shiphrah; kosmeo):
The word is used twice in the Old Testament. In2 Chronicles 3:6, tsippah means "to overlay," or "to plate." Thus, he "garnished" the house or "overlaid" it, "studded" it, with precious stones, and thus adorned and beautified it. InJob 26:13, shiphrah is a feminine noun meaning "fairness," "beauty," "brilliancy." "By his Spirit the heavens are garnished," i.e. the clouds are driven off by the wind or breath of Yahweh, and the sky made bright and clear.
In the New Testament (Matthew 12:44;Matthew 23:29) the word kosmeo means "set in order," "make ready," "adorn," etc. InMatthew 25:7 it is translated "trimmed," and inRevelation 21:19 "adorned."
J. J. Reeve
Greek
2885. kosmeo -- to order, arrange... adorn,
garnish, trim. From kosmos; to put in proper order, ie Decorate (literally
or figuratively); specially, to snuff (a wick) -- adorn,
garnish, trim.
...Strong's Hebrew
8235. shiphrah -- fairness, clearness (of sky)... Word Origin from shaphar Definition fairness, clearness (of sky) NASB Word Usage
cleared (1).
garnish. From shaphar; brightness --
garnish. see HEBREW shaphar.
...Library
"Woe unto You, Because Ye Build the Tombs of the Prophets, and...
... Homily LXXIV. "Woe unto you, because ye build the tombs of the prophets, andgarnish
their sepulchers, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we...
The Second Part.
... linens? just as if the master of the house should be sent into banishment,
and thou shouldestgarnish the walls of his house. He...
A Letter from Origen to Africanus.
... The words of our Saviour run thus: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites
because ye build the tombs of the prophets, andgarnish the sepulchres of...
Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew
... Matt. XXIII. 1-3. Homily LXXIII. Matt. XXIII. 14. Homily LXXIV. "Woe unto you, because
ye build the tombs of the prophets, andgarnish their sepulchers, and say...
The Old, Old Story
... again the simple message, "He that believeth in the Lord Jesus Christ hath everlasting
life." So they borrow novelties from literature, andgarnish the Word of...
On the Immeasurable Dignity of Temporal Suffering.
... Igarnish all her outlets with adversity, whether she like it or not, so that she
may not escape from Me; her ways I strew with tribulation, so that she may...
General Note by the American Editor.
... him freely, and recognises his Ciceronian Latinity, and even the elegance of his
rhetoric, and the spirit and eloquence with which he cangarnish the "dismal...
Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the...
... 'How doth the devilgarnish himself, and the people are carried away with
vanity"women plaiting their hair"men and women powdering it, making their backs...
The Life of St. Christopher
... dwell with thee, and then the king told to him, saying: Alway when I hear the devil
named, I fear that he should have power over me, and Igarnish me with this...
The King's Farewell
... Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of
the prophets, andgarnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30....
Thesaurus
Garnish (1 Occurrence)... 7. (n.) Something set round or upon a dish as an embellishment. See
Garnish, vt,
2. 8. (vt) Fetters.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
GARNISH.
...Garners (2 Occurrences)
Garnished (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofGarnish. Multi-Version Concordance
Garnished (4 Occurrences). Matthew 12:44 Then he saith...
Ish
... 2. (n.) A verb ending, originally appearing in certain verbs of French origin;
as, abolish, cherish, finish, furnish,garnish, impoverish. Int....
Adorn (13 Occurrences)
... DRESS. Figurative: In Matthew 12:44 the King James Version the word is
translated "garnish" and is used in a figurative sense. It...
Sepulchers (15 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the
tombs of the prophets, andgarnish the sepulchers of the righteous, (WBS)....
Sepulchres (17 Occurrences)
... hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, andgarnish the
sepulchres of the righteous, (KJV WEY ASV DBY YLT). Luke...
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