The term "elegant" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of elegance, often associated with beauty, grace, and refinement, can be inferred from various passages and descriptions throughout Scripture. In the biblical context, elegance is often linked to the beauty of creation, the splendor of God's handiwork, and the adornment of individuals, particularly in the context of worship and divine service.

Creation and Nature

The elegance of God's creation is a recurring theme in the Bible. The natural world, with its intricate design and beauty, reflects the glory and majesty of the Creator. Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." This verse highlights the elegance inherent in the universe, crafted by God's wisdom and power.

Human Adornment

In the Scriptures, elegance in human adornment is often associated with dignity and honor. Proverbs 31:22 describes the virtuous woman: "She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple." The use of fine linen and purple, both symbols of elegance and nobility, underscores the value of dignity and grace in personal appearance.

Worship and the Tabernacle

The construction and adornment of the Tabernacle and the Temple also reflect a sense of elegance, as they were designed to be places of beauty and reverence for God. Exodus 28:2 speaks of the garments for Aaron, the high priest: "Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and splendor." These garments were crafted with exquisite materials and intricate designs, symbolizing the elegance appropriate for serving in the presence of the Lord.

Spiritual Elegance

Beyond physical beauty, the Bible emphasizes the importance of spiritual elegance, characterized by a life of holiness and righteousness. 1 Peter 3:3-4 advises, "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." This passage highlights the elegance of character and spirit, which is of greater value in the eyes of God than mere external appearance.

Elegance in Speech and Conduct

The Bible also speaks to the elegance of speech and conduct. Colossians 4:6 instructs, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Gracious and thoughtful communication reflects an elegance that honors God and edifies others.

In summary, while the Bible may not use the term "elegant" explicitly, the concept is woven throughout Scripture in the context of creation, human adornment, worship, spiritual character, and conduct. Elegance, as understood biblically, encompasses both the physical and the spiritual, pointing ultimately to the beauty and majesty of God Himself.1. (a.) Very choice, and hence, pleasing to good taste; characterized by grace, propriety, and refinement, and the absence of every thing offensive; exciting admiration and approbation by symmetry, completeness, freedom from blemish, and the like; graceful; tasteful and highly attractive; as, elegant manners; elegant style of composition; an elegant speaker; an elegant structure.

2. (a.) Exercising a nice choice; discriminating beauty or sensitive to beauty; as, elegant taste.

791. asteios -- of the town, by impl. courteous, elegant
... courteous, elegant. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: asteios Phonetic
Spelling: (as-ti'-os) Short Definition: elegant, pretty, fair, fine, beautiful ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/791.htm - 6k

Neat and Elegant Banff
... Chapter 17. Wesley Arrested; A Terrible Ride; A Methodist Isaac Newton;
Wesley and the American War Neat and Elegant Banff. Banff ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/neat and elegant banff.htm

The Elegant Works of Iren??us which have Come Down to Us.
... Book V. Chapter XXVI."The Elegant Works of Iren??us which have come down
to us. Besides the works and letters of Iren??us which ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxvi the elegant works of.htm

Faustus was Indeed an Elegant Speaker, but Knew Nothing of the ...
... Book V. Chapter VI."Faustus Was Indeed an Elegant Speaker, But Knew Nothing
of the Liberal Sciences. 10. And for nearly the whole ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter vi faustus was indeed an.htm

The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*]
... III. THE CITY OF THE "ELEGANT GATE"[*]. [Footnote *: the meaning of the two
Chinese characters composing the name Amoy.] In a letter ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/iii the city of the.htm

Deluded by an Insane Love, He, Though Foul and Dishonourable ...
... Book III. Chapter I."Deluded by an Insane Love, He, Though Foul and
Dishonourable, Desires to Be Thought Elegant and Urbane. 1 ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter i deluded by an insane.htm

That Philosophical Discourses, However, Distinguished by Orderly ...
... Chapter LXVIII. That philosophical discourses, however, distinguished by orderly
arrangement and elegant expression? That philosophical ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxviii that philosophical discourses.htm

It is the Same in the Case of Girls. ...
... Would you go back to the elegant early Victorian female, with ringlets and
smelling-bottle, doing a little in water colors, dabbling a little in Italian ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 41 it is the.htm

What Nonsense is this Out of which they Fabricate a Charge against ...
... that, even after you have heard the true story from me, another who does not know
it may declare that it is made up, and composed in elegant language by you ...
/.../20 what nonsense is this.htm

Chapter twenty-nine
... Clarence Penrose was one of the most elegant looking men in Chicago. He came from
an aristocratic family of great wealth and social distinction. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-nine.htm

The Publisher Has Pleasure in Submitting the Following Extracts ...
... issued by Mr Nichol is remarkable even in this age of cheap literature, and will
go far to supply what has been long needed,"an accurate, elegant, and cheap ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/the publisher has pleasure in.htm

Elegant (2 Occurrences)
... and approbation by symmetry, completeness, freedom from blemish, and the like; graceful;
tasteful and highly attractive; as, elegant manners; elegant style of ...
/e/elegant.htm - 7k

Eleloheisrael (1 Occurrence)

/e/eleloheisrael.htm - 8k

Vase (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A vessel adapted for various domestic purposes, and anciently for sacrificial
uses; especially, a vessel of antique or elegant pattern used for ornament ...
/v/vase.htm - 8k

Urbane (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Courteous in manners; polite; refined; elegant. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. URBANE. ur'-ban, -ban'. See URBANUS. ...
/u/urbane.htm - 6k

Lily (9 Occurrences)
... Testaments, denotes liliaceous plants in general, or if one genus is to be selected,
that it must be the genus Iris, which is "large, vigorous, elegant in form ...
/l/lily.htm - 15k

Graceful (6 Occurrences)
... (a.) Displaying grace or beauty in form or action; elegant; easy; agreeable in
appearance; as, a graceful walk, deportment, speaker, air, act, speech. ...
/g/graceful.htm - 8k

Inexhaustible (2 Occurrences)
... or used up; as an inexhaustible supply; unfailing; not to be wasted or spent; as,
inexhaustible stores of provisions; an inexhaustible stock of elegant words. ...
/i/inexhaustible.htm - 7k

Fine (184 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Finished; brought to perfection; refined; hence, free from impurity;
excellent; superior; elegant; worthy of admiration; accomplished; beautiful. ...
/f/fine.htm - 47k

Fir (22 Occurrences)
... (n.) A genus (Abies) of coniferous trees, often of large size and elegant shape,
some of them valued for their timber and others for their resin. ...
/f/fir.htm - 19k

Tasty (7 Occurrences)
... See Taste. 2. (n.) Being in conformity to the principles of good taste; elegant;
as, tasty furniture; a tasty dress. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/tasty.htm - 8k

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Elegant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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