The term "glossy" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of something being shiny, lustrous, or having a polished appearance can be related to various biblical themes and descriptions. In Scripture, the idea of glossiness can be associated with beauty, wealth, and divine splendor.

Biblical Imagery and Symbolism

1. Divine Splendor and Glory: The Bible often uses imagery of brightness and radiance to describe the glory of God. In Ezekiel 1:28 , the prophet describes a vision of God's glory: "Like the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around Him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD." The radiant and glossy appearance symbolizes God's majestic and awe-inspiring presence.

2. Wealth and Opulence: Glossiness can also be associated with wealth and opulence in biblical times. In descriptions of Solomon's wealth and the grandeur of his kingdom, the Bible highlights the splendor and luxuriousness of his possessions. 1 Kings 10:21 states, "All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. There was no silver, for it was considered as nothing in the days of Solomon." The use of gold, a shiny and glossy metal, underscores the immense wealth and prosperity of Solomon's reign.

3. Beauty and Adornment: The Bible also uses glossy imagery in the context of beauty and adornment. In Song of Solomon, the beauty of the beloved is often described in terms of radiance and splendor. Song of Solomon 4:1 says, "How beautiful you are, my darling—how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead." The poetic language evokes a sense of glossy beauty and elegance.

4. Moral and Spiritual Implications: While glossiness can represent positive attributes such as beauty and divine glory, it can also serve as a metaphor for superficiality or deceit. In Matthew 23:27 , Jesus criticizes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity." Here, the outward glossiness of the tombs contrasts with the inner corruption, highlighting the danger of focusing solely on external appearances.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, glossiness and shine were often associated with wealth and status. Polished metals, fine fabrics, and other glossy materials were symbols of affluence and power. The biblical text reflects this cultural understanding, using glossy imagery to convey messages about God's glory, human beauty, and the dangers of superficiality.

Theological Reflections

From a theological perspective, the concept of glossiness in the Bible can remind believers of the importance of inner purity and authenticity over mere outward appearances. While the Bible acknowledges the beauty and splendor of God's creation, it also calls for a deeper, spiritual beauty that reflects the character of God. As 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."1. (superl.) Smooth and shining; reflecting luster from a smooth surface; highly polished; lustrous; as, glossy silk; a glossy surface.

2. (superl.) Smooth; specious; plausible; as, glossy deceit.

6245. ashath -- to be smooth or shiny
... A primitive root; probably to be sleek, ie Glossy; hence (through the idea of polishing)
to excogitate (as if forming in the mind) -- shine, think. ...
/hebrew/6245.htm - 5k

A Provision Ground
... That tree with upright branches, and large, dark, glossy leaves tiled upwards
along them, is the Mammee Sapota, {311a} beautiful likewise. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xvi a provision ground.htm

The Savanna of Aripo
... heads to the drizzly shower which plays incessantly on their glistening leaves,
off which the globules roll in a thousand pearls, as from the glossy plumage of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xii the savanna of.htm

August 19, 1894
... I keep a close watch upon my little rabbits; I do not want to do them any harm,
but I tell them gently: "You must keep your fur glossy, and must not look ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/xix august 19 1894.htm

To J. Tarn, Esq. , Under-Treasurer of the British and Foreign ...
... This paper is far superior to that for which the Society formerly paid 40 (and
which was not dear at 40), being far stronger and more glossy. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to j tarn esq under-treasurer.htm

He Careth for You
... That we may be clothed, he makes the cotton and the flax to grow out of the soil,
the wool upon the sheep, and causes the silkworm to spin its glossy house. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk fifty-two he careth for.htm

Homer's Obligations to the Sacred Writers.
... He wrote thus in his own poem: [2573] ". "And, seizing by her glossy locks. The
goddess Ate, in his wrath he swore. That never to the starry skies again,. ...
/.../chapter xxviii homers obligations to the.htm

The Contrast.
... If he had lived in these days, and there are many of his family with us now, he
would have worn glossy broadcloth instead of purple, and have held a ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xxxvi the contrast.htm

The Entry into Jerusalem.
... Its coat, too, is as glossy as a well-kept horse's""shiny black, or satiny white,
or sleek mouse colour." It was not chosen by our Lord at this time that He ...
/.../ii the entry into jerusalem.htm

The High Woods
... But he stops with a smile of satisfaction as he sees lying on the ground dark green
glossy leaves, which are fading into a bright crimson; for overhead ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vii the high woods.htm

Jacob's Waking Exclamation
... you be alone in your thought, for every waving flower-bell will bear witness to
the fact, and the insect humming in the breeze, and the glossy beetle creeping ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jacobs waking exclamation.htm

Glossy (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Smooth and shining; reflecting luster from a smooth surface; highly
polished; lustrous; as, glossy silk; a glossy surface. ...Glossy (2 Occurrences). ...
/g/glossy.htm - 7k

Polish (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To make smooth and glossy, usually by friction; to burnish; to overspread
with luster; as, to polish glass, marble, metals, etc. ...
/p/polish.htm - 7k

Sleek (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Having an even, smooth surface; smooth;
hence, glossy; as, sleek hair. 2. (superl.) Not rough or harsh. ...
/s/sleek.htm - 8k

Glow (3 Occurrences)

/g/glow.htm - 8k

Glorying (27 Occurrences)

/g/glorying.htm - 14k

Divided (102 Occurrences)
... Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation tall and of glossy skin, to a people terrible
from their beginning onward; a nation that is sturdy and treadeth down ...
/d/divided.htm - 37k

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)
... ostrich plumes. The females are smaller, the colors gray and white, the
males a glossy black, the wing and tail plumes white. The ...
/o/ostrich.htm - 18k

Liver (16 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The glossy ibis (Ibis falcinellus); -- said to have given its name to
the city of Liverpool. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LIVER. ...
/l/liver.htm - 16k

Finish (35 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) The result of completed labor, as on the surface of an object; manner or
style of finishing; as, a rough, dead, or glossy finish given to cloth, stone ...
/f/finish.htm - 20k

Raven (7 Occurrences)
... land is it more numerous than in Palestine In general appearance it resembles the
crow, but is much larger, being almost two feet long, of a glossy black, with ...
/r/raven.htm - 14k

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