In the Bible, physical appearance is often mentioned in the context of describing individuals who are noted for their attractiveness. While the Scriptures emphasize inner beauty and character, there are several instances where good looks are highlighted, often impacting the narrative or the individual's life.

Old Testament Examples

1. Sarah: Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is described as a beautiful woman. Her beauty was so notable that Abraham feared for his life, thinking that the Egyptians would kill him to take her. Genesis 12:11-14 states, "As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, 'Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live.'"

2. Rachel: Rachel, the wife of Jacob, is described as beautiful in form and appearance. Genesis 29:17 notes, "Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful."

3. Joseph: Joseph, the son of Jacob, was also noted for his good looks. Genesis 39:6 mentions, "Now Joseph was well-built and handsome."

4. David: King David is described as ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. 1 Samuel 16:12 records, "So Jesse sent for him. He came in and was glowing with health, with a fine appearance and handsome features."

5. Absalom: Absalom, the son of David, was praised for his physical appearance. 2 Samuel 14:25 states, "Now in all Israel there was no man as handsome and highly praised as Absalom; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him."

New Testament Considerations

While the New Testament does not focus as much on physical appearance, it does provide guidance on the importance of inner beauty and character. 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."

Theological Implications

The Bible acknowledges physical beauty but consistently emphasizes that true beauty is found in one's character and relationship with God. Proverbs 31:30 reminds us, "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." This perspective encourages believers to prioritize spiritual virtues over physical appearance.

Cultural and Historical Context

In biblical times, physical appearance could influence social standing and relationships. Beauty was often associated with favor and blessing, yet it could also lead to envy and conflict, as seen in the accounts of Sarah and Rachel. The biblical narrative uses these examples to illustrate the complexities of human relationships and the importance of divine favor and character over mere physical attributes.(a.) Handsome.2896a. tob -- pleasant, agreeable, good
... ones (1), fit (1), generous* (1), glad (1), good (196), good and to those who (1),
good is better (1), good man (3), good men (1), good-looking* (1), gracious ...
/hebrew/2896a.htm - 6k

4758. mareh -- sight, appearance, vision
... Definition sight, appearance, vision NASB Word Usage appear (1), appearance (48),
appears (7), desires (1), face (2), form (2), good-looking* (1), impressive (1 ...
/hebrew/4758.htm - 6k

A Good Wife.
... "First, then, this is incumbent on her who is endowed with mind,. That
even if her husband be ugly, he must appear good-looking; ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xx a good wife.htm

Six Months' Record
... The next day a good-looking man came to Brother Gordon's house and was admitted
into his study. "I am Winnie's uncle, sir," he said simply. ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/six months record.htm

Those Days it was Near Twelve O'Clock by the Great Dial of History ...
... One day I was in the Via Sacra and a young man caught and held me for a moment and
tried to touch my lips"that boy, Antipater, a good-looking wretch!". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 2 those days it.htm

Meanwhile, Angela Sovrani was Detained in Her Studio by the ...
... Angela laughed. "He is good-looking, certainly," she said, "He is very like
Miraudin. They might almost be brothers.". "Miraudin, ce ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xi meanwhile angela sovrani was.htm

On Smart Novelists and the Smart Set
... He may not be particularly good-looking, but he would rather be good-looking than
anything else; he may not have ridden on a mad elephant, but he rides a pony ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xv on smart novelists and.htm

How Solomon Became the Ruler of Israel
... His father, David, had never in his life troubled him by saying, "Why have you done
thus and so?" Adonijah was very good-looking and was the next younger son ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/how solomon became the ruler.htm

San Josef
... escape (Satchell). 'A good-looking young man, named Torrens, was brought
as prisoner to the presence of Colonel Bush. The colonel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter ix san josef.htm

The Call of Moses
... covet higher good. Looking after sheep in the desert was a sad downcome
from the possibility of sitting on the throne of Egypt. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the call of moses.htm

How St Francis and Brother Masseo Placed the Bread they had Begged ...
... a mean exterior, did not attract much attention, and gathered only a few bits of
dry bread, whereas Brother Masseo, being tall and good-looking, received many ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xiii how st francis.htm

No one ever Afterwards Quite Knew How the Crowd in the Church ...
... news. Papa Vergniaud has gone home with his good-looking offspring"then
Cardinal Bonpre"do you know the Cardinal Bonpre?". "By ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xiv no one ever afterwards.htm

Good-looking (7 Occurrences)
Good-looking. Goodliness, Good-looking. Goodly . Noah Webster's Dictionary
(a.) Handsome. Multi-Version Concordance Good-looking (7 Occurrences). ...
/g/good-looking.htm - 8k

River-grass (3 Occurrences)
... River-grass (3 Occurrences). Genesis 41:2 And out of the Nile came seven cows,
good-looking and fat, and their food was the river-grass. (BBE). ...
/r/river-grass.htm - 7k

Cows (33 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Genesis 41:2 And out of the Nile came seven cows, good-looking and
fat, and their food was the river-grass. (BBE WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/cows.htm - 15k

Nile (37 Occurrences)
... NIV). Genesis 41:2 And out of the Nile came seven cows, good-looking and fat,
and their food was the river-grass. (BBE NAS RSV). Genesis ...
/n/nile.htm - 29k

Looking (883 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Look. 2. (a.) Having a certain look or appearance; -- often
compounded with adjectives; as, good-looking, grand-looking, etc. ...
/l/looking.htm - 7k

Likely (4 Occurrences)
... likely to rain. 3. (a.) Similar; like; alike. 4. (a.) Such as suits;
good-looking; pleasing; agreeable; handsome. 5. (a.) Having ...
/l/likely.htm - 8k

Goodliness (2 Occurrences)

/g/goodliness.htm - 7k

Taller (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 9:2 He had a son named Saul, a specially good-looking young man; there
was no one better-looking among the children of Israel: he was taller by a head ...
/t/taller.htm - 8k

Red-haired (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Samuel 17:42 And when the Philistine, taking note, saw David, he had a poor opinion
of him: for he was only a boy, red-haired and good-looking. (BBE). ...
/r/red-haired.htm - 6k

Better-looking (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Samuel 9:2 He had a son named Saul, a specially good-looking young man; there
was no one better-looking among the children of Israel: he was taller by a head ...
/b/better-looking.htm - 6k

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