Topical Encyclopedia
The term "fine-looking" in the Bible often refers to physical appearance and is used to describe individuals who possess an attractive or pleasing appearance. This concept is significant in various biblical narratives, where physical beauty is noted and sometimes plays a role in the unfolding of events.
Old Testament References1.
Sarah: In
Genesis 12:11, Abraham acknowledges the beauty of his wife, Sarah, saying, "I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance." Her fine appearance is significant in the narrative, as it leads to interactions with Pharaoh and later with Abimelech, highlighting the protective measures Abraham takes due to her attractiveness.
2.
Rachel:
Genesis 29:17 describes Rachel as "beautiful in form and appearance." Her beauty captures the attention of Jacob, who loves her deeply and works for fourteen years to marry her. Rachel's fine-looking appearance is a key element in the love account between her and Jacob.
3.
Joseph: In
Genesis 39:6, Joseph is described as "handsome in form and appearance." His attractiveness becomes a pivotal point in the account when Potiphar's wife attempts to seduce him, leading to his imprisonment. Joseph's fine-looking appearance is intertwined with his moral integrity and the trials he faces.
4.
David: The future king of Israel, David, is described in
1 Samuel 16:12 as "ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance." His fine-looking appearance is noted when Samuel anoints him as king, signifying God's choice despite David's youth and the expectations of others.
5.
Absalom: In
2 Samuel 14:25, Absalom is described as having "no blemish from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head." His striking appearance is part of his charismatic and ambitious nature, which ultimately leads to his rebellion against his father, King David.
New Testament References1.
Jesus: While the New Testament does not explicitly describe Jesus' physical appearance,
Isaiah 53:2, a prophetic passage often associated with the Messiah, states, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him." This suggests that Jesus' appeal was not based on physical appearance but on His divine nature and teachings.
Theological ImplicationsIn the biblical context, fine-looking individuals often find themselves in situations where their appearance influences their life circumstances. However, the Bible consistently emphasizes that God values inner character over outward appearance. In
1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
The narratives involving fine-looking individuals serve as reminders of the transient nature of physical beauty and the enduring importance of spiritual virtues. While beauty can open doors and create opportunities, it is ultimately one's faithfulness, integrity, and relationship with God that hold eternal significance.
Library
Third Commandment
... the open air, when a man drove up in a fine turn-out, and after listening a little
while to what I was saying, he put the whip to hisfine-looking Steed, and...
His Murdered Father's Head
... Nothing could be a more complete contrast than that between them and thefine-looking
Goths. They were squat, and short, and yellow, and inconceivably ugly....
Pilate and his Wife.
... Claudia appeared to be much excited, and under the influence of fear. She
was a tall,fine-looking woman, although extremely pale....
Petra
... The men were elderly,fine-looking men; they were wholly engrossed in what they
were doing. It was no foolish farce to them; it was reality....
Chapter fifteen
... The evangelist, a man of apparently very simple, unassuming style, spoke a few
words, and he was followed by afine-looking man, the Rev....
How to Read the Bible
... You have them very neatly bound, and they are veryfine looking volumes: not much
thumbed, not much worn, and not likely to be so, for they only come out on...
Three Afternoons Off the Track
... While we were waiting, a tall,fine-looking Hindu came and said, "Will you
come to my house? I will show you the way." So we went....
The Fourth Continental Journey.
... for all men. On returning to our room the landlady entered with a
fine-looking girl, for whom she begged a book. This opened our...
The First Kings.
... eight sons. Eliab, the eldest, like Saul, wasfine-looking"tall, athletic,
and commanding in his personal appearance. Samuel thought...
Ninth Tractate. Against those that Affirm the Creator of the...
... passing as handsome but essentially base have that, a spurious and superficial beauty:
if anyone tells me he has seen people reallyfine-looking but interiorly...
Thesaurus
Fine-looking (3 Occurrences)Fine-
looking. Fined,
Fine-
looking. Finely . Multi-Version Concordance
Fine-
looking (3 Occurrences). Genesis 41:2 And
...Finely (27 Occurrences)
Fined (4 Occurrences)
Bad-looking (2 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Genesis 41:4 And the kine that were bad-looking and lean-fleshed ate up the
seven kine that werefine-looking and fat. And Pharaoh awoke. (DBY)....
Bad (129 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Genesis 41:4 And the kine that were bad-looking and lean-fleshed ate
up the seven kine that werefine-looking and fat. And Pharaoh awoke. (DBY YLT)....
Resources
What does the Bible say about overbearing or controlling parents? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the biblical view of white privilege? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did people in the Bible look like? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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