The term "disfigure" refers to altering or damaging the appearance or form of something, often in a way that is considered unattractive or undesirable. In the biblical context, disfigurement can be both physical and spiritual, symbolizing a departure from God's intended order or beauty.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, physical disfigurement is often associated with impurity or imperfection. Levitical laws, for instance, emphasize the importance of physical wholeness, especially for those serving in the priesthood. Leviticus 21:17-23 outlines that no man with a defect may approach to offer the bread of his God, highlighting the importance of physical integrity in worship practices. This reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness and the need for purity in approaching God.

Prophetic Imagery

The prophets frequently use the imagery of disfigurement to describe the spiritual state of Israel when it turns away from God. Isaiah 52:14, for example, speaks of the suffering servant whose appearance was "marred more than any man," a passage often interpreted as a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ. This disfigurement is not just physical but represents the weight of sin and suffering borne by the servant.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the concept of disfigurement in a spiritual sense. In Matthew 6:16-18, He instructs His followers on fasting, saying, "When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting." Here, disfigurement is associated with hypocrisy and the desire for human approval rather than genuine piety. Jesus emphasizes the importance of inner sincerity over outward appearances.

Spiritual Disfigurement

The New Testament also speaks to the idea of spiritual disfigurement through sin. Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Sin distorts the image of God in humanity, leading to a form of spiritual disfigurement. The redemptive work of Christ is seen as restoring this image, as believers are transformed into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Cultural and Historical Considerations

In biblical times, physical disfigurement could lead to social ostracism and was often seen as a sign of divine displeasure or judgment. However, the Bible also records instances where God uses those with physical imperfections for His purposes, challenging cultural norms and emphasizing His sovereignty and grace.

Conclusion

While the Bible addresses disfigurement in various contexts, both physical and spiritual, it ultimately points to the restoration and redemption found in Christ. Through Him, believers are promised a future where all disfigurement, whether of body or soul, will be healed and made whole.1. (v. t.) To mar the beauty or appearance of; to render less complete, perfect, or beautiful in appearance; to deface; to deform.

2. (n.) Disfigurement; deformity.

853. aphanizo -- to make unseen, ie destroy
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aphanizo Phonetic Spelling: (af-an-id'-zo) Short
Definition: I cause to disappear, I hide, remove, disfigure Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/853.htm - 6k

Matt. vi. 16
... VI. 16. Matt. VI.16. "And when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance.
For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.". ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xx matt vi 16.htm

Reform
... self-righteousness I feel in my own heart, as something like those colossal statues
of Egypt, and when I try to break it in pieces, I can but disfigure it; I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/reform.htm

The Romance of M. Renan. By Napoleon Roussel.
... Renan says, "The Evangelists who have bequeathed to us the image of Jesus are so
much below him of whom they speak, that they constantly disfigure him, through ...
/.../the romance of m renan and the christ of the gospels/the romance of m renan.htm

Divine Impartiality Considered.
... Passion, prejudice, or depravity may disfigure or hide him; but as far as the
discoveries which God hath made of himself are received, his true character is ...
/.../sermon vi divine impartiality considered.htm

The Inconsistent Life of any False Christian no More Condemns True ...
... It must happen even in the healthiest and purest body, that a mole should
grow, or a wart arise on it, or freckles disfigure it. ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter v name inconsistent life.htm

The Lord's Supper.
... Supper been rigidly maintained, the Church might have avoided a multitude of errors;
but very soon the spirit of innovation began to disfigure this institute. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii the lords supper.htm

Seemingly from the Dawn of Man all Nations have had Governments...
... trust in any child of man. It was so with all the ugly institutions which
disfigure human history. Torture and slavery were never ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 23 seemingly from the.htm

Chapter xii.
... "Moreover, when ye fast," says He, "be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:
for they disfigure their faces, [348] that they may appear [349] unto men ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xii 2.htm

The Opinions of Carpocrates, Another Offset from the Pythagorean ...
... For, (according to his miserable doctrine,) this life became consummated to no man
until all those blemishes which are held to disfigure it have been fully ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xxxv the opinions of carpocrates.htm

To Three Italian Cardinals
... Dante; "(though it cannot be otherwise than that the scar and brand of infamy will
have burned with fire upon the Apostolic See and will disfigure her for whom ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to three italian cardinals.htm

Disfigure (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Disfigure (3 Occurrences). ... For they disfigure
their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. ...
/d/disfigure.htm - 7k

Mar (7 Occurrences)
... See Mere. 2. (v.) To make defective; to do injury to, esp. by cutting off or defacing
a part; to impair; to disfigure; to deface. 3. (v.) To spoil; to ruin. ...
/m/mar.htm - 9k

Verily (146 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:
for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. ...
/v/verily.htm - 39k

Noticed (19 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:16 And when ye may fast, be ye not as the hypocrites, of sour countenances,
for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men fasting ...
/n/noticed.htm - 11k

Neglect (19 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:16 "Moreover when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces.
For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. ...
/n/neglect.htm - 12k

Looks (76 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:16 "When any of you fast, never assume gloomy looks as the hypocrites
do; for they disfigure their faces in order that it may be evident to men that ...
/l/looks.htm - 28k

Gloomy (10 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:16 "When any of you fast, never assume gloomy looks as the hypocrites
do; for they disfigure their faces in order that it may be evident to men that ...
/g/gloomy.htm - 9k

Whenever (123 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 6:16 And when ye may fast, be ye not as the hypocrites, of sour
countenances, for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men fasting ...
/w/whenever.htm - 36k

Faces (158 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:16 "Moreover when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces.
For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. ...
/f/faces.htm - 37k

Full (1047 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:16 "Moreover when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces.
For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. ...
/f/full.htm - 36k

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Disfigure: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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