The term "decked" in the Bible often refers to adorning or decorating, typically with an emphasis on outward appearance. This concept is frequently associated with the embellishment of individuals or objects, often to convey wealth, status, or beauty. The use of "decked" can be found in various contexts throughout Scripture, illustrating both positive and negative connotations depending on the circumstances and intentions behind the adornment.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the idea of being "decked" is often linked to the adornment of women or objects with jewelry and fine clothing. For instance, in Ezekiel 16:11-13, God describes how He adorned Jerusalem, personified as a woman, with jewelry and fine garments: "I adorned you with jewelry, and I put bracelets on your wrists and a chain around your neck. I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and silk and embroidered cloth." This passage highlights God's blessings and the honor bestowed upon Jerusalem, symbolizing His covenant relationship with His people.

Conversely, the prophets often use the imagery of being "decked" to criticize Israel's unfaithfulness and idolatry. In Jeremiah 4:30, the prophet laments, "And you, O devastated one, what will you do? Though you dress yourself in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with gold jewelry, though you enlarge your eyes with paint, you beautify yourself in vain. Your lovers despise you; they seek your life." Here, the adornment is depicted as futile and deceptive, symbolizing Israel's attempts to seek favor through alliances and idolatry rather than faithfulness to God.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of being "decked" is less frequently mentioned but still carries significant meaning. Revelation 17:4 describes the woman on the scarlet beast: "The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality." This imagery is symbolic of the corrupt and seductive nature of Babylon, representing false religion and worldly allure that leads people away from God.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the use of "decked" in Scripture often serves as a metaphor for spiritual realities. It can represent the blessings and honor that come from a right relationship with God, as seen in the positive depiction of Jerusalem's adornment. However, it can also symbolize the dangers of focusing on external appearances and worldly allurements at the expense of inner spiritual truth and faithfulness to God.

The Bible consistently warns against the temptation to prioritize outward beauty and material wealth over spiritual integrity and devotion. In 1 Peter 3:3-4, believers are encouraged, "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."

In summary, the concept of being "decked" in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of aligning one's outward appearance and actions with inner spiritual truth and devotion to God.(imp. & p. p.) of Deck.5171. truphao -- to live luxuriously
... ["Dainty living" in NT times included going to the public baths ("wash houses"),
typically decked out with ornate furnishings (eg decorated baths made of marble ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5171.htm - 7k497. Eladah -- "God has adorned," an Ephraimite
... Eladah. From 'el and adah; God has decked; Eladah, an Israelite -- Eladah. see HEBREW
'el. see HEBREW adah. 496, 497. Eladah. 498 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/497.htm - 6k

With Beauty Decked the Morn Ascends,
... HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH With beauty decked the morn ascends,. 8,6,8,6. With
beauty decked the morn ascends,. And all the earth is bright; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the early church/with beauty decked the morn.htm

What was the Life in Paradise, and what was the Forbidden Tree ?
... 1. What then is that which includes the knowledge of good and evil blended
together, and is decked with the pleasures of sense? ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xx what was the life.htm

The Coming of the Pharaoh
... The gardens, the storehouses and the wine-lofts felt unusual draft for the festivities,
and the great capital was decked and scented like a bride. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xiii the coming of.htm

"That is the Price of My Soul"
... to neighboring towns and got all her most worldly companions to come to the house;
they bought her a magnificent silk dress and jewelry, and decked her out in ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/that is the price of.htm

Why Man Appeared Last, after the Creation
... And as a good host does not bring his guest to his house before the preparation
of his feast, but, when he has made all due preparation, and decked with their ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/ii why man appeared last.htm

A Woman on a Scarlet-Colored Beast.
... And the woman was arrayed in purple and crimson, and decked with gold and precious
stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/a woman on a scarlet-colored.htm

Against Men who Embellish Themselves.
... So also cocks, which fight in defence of the hens, he has decked with combs, as
it were helmets; and so high a value does God set on these locks, that He ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iii against men who embellish.htm

The Spiced Wine of My Pomegranate;
... covered thee with silk. I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets
upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. And I put ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the spiced wine of my.htm

Letter Li to the virgin Sophia
... And if the daughters of Belial reproach you, those who walk with stretched forth
necks mincing as they go (Isaiah 3:16), decked out and adorned like the Temple ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter li to the virgin.htm

The Apocalypse of Sedrach.
... O fingers adorned and decked with gold and silver (rings): and great worlds are
led by the fingers: the three joints enfold the palms, and heap up beautiful ...
/.../unknown/the apocalypse of sedrach/the apocalypse of sedrach.htm

Decked (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Deck. Multi-Version Concordance Decked
(10 Occurrences). Revelation 17:4 The woman was dressed ...
/d/decked.htm - 9k

Adorned (20 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold
and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of ...
/a/adorned.htm - 12k

Deck (8 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 16:16 You took of your garments, and made for yourselves high places decked
with various colors, and played the prostitute on them: the like things ...
/d/deck.htm - 9k

Glittering (12 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold
and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of ...
/g/glittering.htm - 11k

Iddo (14 Occurrences)
... (6) (ye`do (Kethibh ye`di), or `iddo, "decked," "adorned"): Seer (chozeh) and prophet
(nabhi), the Chronicler's "source" for the reign of Solomon (2 Chronicles ...
/i/iddo.htm - 14k

Pearls (8 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold
and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of ...
/p/pearls.htm - 9k

Bedecked (2 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold
and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of ...
/b/bedecked.htm - 7k

Scarlet (54 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold
and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of ...
/s/scarlet.htm - 26k

Purple (54 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold
and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of ...
/p/purple.htm - 28k

Dressed (77 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold
and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of ...
/d/dressed.htm - 29k

Is born again virginity possible? | GotQuestions.org

Decked: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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