The concept of adornment in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing both physical and spiritual dimensions. The term "adorn" generally refers to the act of decorating or enhancing the appearance of something or someone. In Scripture, adornment can be seen in various contexts, including the beautification of the tabernacle, the attire of individuals, and the spiritual adornment of the believer.

Physical Adornment

In the Old Testament, physical adornment is often associated with beauty and splendor. For instance, the adornment of the tabernacle and the temple involved intricate designs and precious materials, reflecting the glory and holiness of God. Exodus 28:2 describes the garments of the high priest: "Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and splendor." These garments were adorned with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and fine linen, symbolizing the sacred role of the priesthood.

The adornment of individuals, particularly women, is also addressed in Scripture. In Isaiah 61:10, the prophet speaks of being clothed with garments of salvation and a robe of righteousness, likening it to a bride adorned with jewels: "I will rejoice greatly in the LORD; my soul will exult in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Spiritual Adornment

The New Testament shifts the focus from external adornment to the inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. In 1 Peter 3:3-4, women are encouraged to prioritize inner beauty over outward appearance: "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."

Similarly, Paul advises in 1 Timothy 2:9-10, "Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God." Here, the emphasis is on modesty and good works as the true adornment of a believer.

Adorned with Righteousness

The concept of spiritual adornment extends to the entire body of Christ, the Church. In Revelation 21:2, the New Jerusalem is described as "a bride adorned for her husband," symbolizing the purity and holiness of the Church as it is presented to Christ. This imagery underscores the ultimate adornment of believers, clothed in the righteousness of Christ and prepared for eternal union with Him.

In summary, while the Bible acknowledges the role of physical adornment, it places greater emphasis on the spiritual adornment of the heart. True beauty, according to Scripture, is found in a life that reflects the character and righteousness of God, adorned with good deeds and a spirit that honors Him.1. (v. t.) To deck or dress with ornaments; to embellish; to set off to advantage; to render pleasing or attractive.

2. (n.) Adornment.

3. (a.) Adorned; decorated.

ADORN

a-dorn' (kosmeo): Has as its primary meaning "to arrange," "to put In order," "to decorate." It is used with reference to the manner in which Christian women were urged to dress. This was a vital question in the early church, and both Paul and Peter give advice on the subject (1 Timothy 2:9 1 Peter 3:3).

See DRESS.

Figurative: In Matthew 12:44 the King James Version the word is translated "garnish" and is used in a figurative sense. It describes accurately the condition of the Jewish nation. Even though they have swept out idolatry and have adorned the life with much ceremony and endless religious prescriptions yet the evil spirit can say, "I will return to my house." This same thing has repeatedly been done by individuals and nations when reforms have been instituted, but Christ was not enthroned and the heart or nation was still dominated by evil. It is used also in a figurative sense with reference to the graces of the Christian life. When we remember how very highly Orientals esteem the adornment of the body, its use here becomes very forceful. It is this that makes Psalm 45:13 of special significance as to the beauty and glory of the church as she is presented to God. See also Proverbs 1:9; Proverbs 4:9 Isaiah 61:10 1 Peter 3:4, 5. Consecration to God, the indwelling of His Spirit, righteousness, a meek and quiet spirit-these are the true adornments of the life. All these passages carry with them the idea of joy, the satisfaction that should be ours in these possessions.

Jacob W. Kapp

2885. kosmeo -- to order, arrange
... to order, arrange. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kosmeo Phonetic Spelling:
(kos-meh'-o) Short Definition: I put into order, adorn Definition: I put into ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2885.htm - 7k

4737. stephanoo -- to crown
... to crown. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: stephanoo Phonetic Spelling:
(stef-an-o'-o) Short Definition: I crown, adorn Definition: I crown, adorn, decorate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4737.htm - 6k

5558. chrusoo -- to gild, to cover with gold
... to gild, to cover with gold. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: chrusoo Phonetic
Spelling: (khroo-so'-o) Short Definition: I gild, adorn with gold Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5558.htm - 6k

1921. hadar -- to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell
... 1920, 1921. hadar. 1922 . to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell. Transliteration:
hadar Phonetic Spelling: (haw-dar') Short Definition: honor. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/1921.htm - 6k

5710. adah -- to pass on, advance
... 5709, 5710. adah. 5710a . to pass on, advance. Transliteration: adah Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-daw') Short Definition: adorn. adorn, deck self, pass by, take ...
/hebrew/5710.htm - 5k

5710b. adah -- to ornament or deck oneself
... root Definition to ornament or deck oneself NASB Word Usage adorn (1), adorn yourself
(1), adorned (2), adorns (1), decorate (1), decorated yourselves (1 ...
/hebrew/5710b.htm - 5k

6059. anaq -- to serve as a necklace
... A primitive root; properly, to choke; used only as denominative from anaq, to collar,
ie Adorn with a necklace; figuratively, to fit out with supplies ...
/hebrew/6059.htm - 6k

6286. paar -- to beautify, glorify
... root Definition to beautify, glorify NASB Word Usage adorn (1), beautify (2), become
boastful (1), boast (1), glorified (4), glorify (1), honor (1), show my ...
/hebrew/6286.htm - 6k

Our Life is to Adorn the Gospel.
... OUR LIFE IS TO ADORN THE GOSPEL. To adorn is to make attractive, to beautify.
We are exhorted by the apostle Paul to adorn the doctrine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/our life is to adorn.htm

Ep. Lxxxviii. It was Needful that the Royal Image Should Adorn the ...
... Ep. LXXXVIII. It was needful that the Royal Image should adorn the Royal City.?
It was needful that the Royal Image should adorn the Royal City. ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep lxxxviii it was needful.htm

The Doctrine Adorned
... V The Doctrine Adorned. 'But shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn
the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.' (Titus 2:10.). ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/v the doctrine adorned.htm

Whether the Adornment of Women is Devoid of Mortal Sin?
... Objection 3: Further, just as it is unbecoming for a woman to wear man's clothes,
so is it unbecoming for her to adorn herself inordinately. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the adornment of women.htm

Women Adorned with Good Work
... XVII Women adorned with Good Work. Let women adorn themselves; not with braided
hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but through good works. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xvii women adorned with good.htm

To-Day the Groans of Hades Rise, --
... Into the realm of light.'. Let glory now the Cross adorn,. Hail, hail the Resurrection
morn! II. ... And He hath rescued all.'. Let glory now the Cross adorn,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/to-day the groans of hades.htm

V. ...
... great price. For thus also did the holy women of old adorn themselves, who
hoped in God and were subject to their husbands. As Sarah ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter iii v .htm

1 Timothy ii. 10-Aug
... In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness
and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly ...
/.../homily viii 1 timothy ii.htm

On Dress
... Paul's words are, (1:Tim.2:9, 10, ) "I will that women adorn themselves in modest
apparel; not " with gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 88 on dress.htm

Letter xiv. Dress.
... LETTERS, &c. LETTER XIV. Dress. "In like manner also that women adorn themselves
in ... The apostle enjoins upon women to adorn themselves with modest apparel. ...
/.../newcomb/a practical directory for young christian females/letter xiv dress.htm

Adorn (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Adornment. 3. (a.) Adorned; decorated. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ADORN. ... Jacob W. Kapp. Multi-Version Concordance Adorn (13 Occurrences). ...
/a/adorn.htm - 12k

Garnish (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Overlay with stones (2 Chronicles 3:6), adorn (Revelation
21:19), deck with garlands (Matthew 23:29), furnish (12:44). ...
/g/garnish.htm - 9k

Adorned (20 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Adorn. ... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Ezekiel 16:11 And I adorn thee with
adornments, And I give bracelets for thy hands, And a chain for thy neck. ...
/a/adorned.htm - 12k

Jewel (12 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To dress, adorn, deck, or supply with jewels, as a dress, a sword hilt,
or a watch; to bespangle, as with jewels. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/j/jewel.htm - 12k

Gem (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (vt) To adorn with gems or precious stones. 6. (vt) To embellish or adorn,
as with gems; as, a foliage gemmed with dewdrops. Int. ...
/g/gem.htm - 7k

Flourish (26 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To adorn with flowers or beautiful figures, either natural or
artificial; to ornament with anything showy; to embellish. ...
/f/flourish.htm - 18k

Attire (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To dress; to array; to adorn; esp., to
clothe with elegant or splendid garments. 2. (n.) Dress ...
/a/attire.htm - 11k

Array (63 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) To place or dispose in order, as troops for battle; to marshal. 9. (n.)
To deck or dress; to adorn with dress; to cloth to envelop; -- applied esp. ...
/a/array.htm - 30k

Necklace (9 Occurrences)
... (See JPS NAS RSV NIV). Ezekiel 16:11 And I adorn thee with adornments, And I give
bracelets for thy hands, And a chain for thy neck. (See NAS NIV). ...
/n/necklace.htm - 10k

Nebuchadnezzar (90 Occurrences)
... Having completed the subjugation of Phoenicia, and inflicted chastisement on Egypt,
Nebuchadnezzar now set himself to rebuild and adorn the city of Babylon (Dan ...
/n/nebuchadnezzar.htm - 57k

Should Christian women wear makeup or jewelry? | GotQuestions.org

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