The term "ornamented" in the biblical context often refers to the adornment or decoration of objects, garments, or individuals, signifying beauty, honor, or status. Throughout Scripture, ornamentation is used both literally and metaphorically, reflecting cultural practices and spiritual truths.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, ornamentation is frequently associated with garments and objects used in worship and daily life. For instance, the priestly garments were richly ornamented to reflect the glory and holiness of God. Exodus 28:2 states, "Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor." These garments included the ephod, breastpiece, and robe, all adorned with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and fine linen.

Ornamentation also appears in descriptions of the Tabernacle and Temple. The Tabernacle, as described in Exodus, was adorned with gold, silver, and bronze, along with finely woven fabrics and artistic designs. This elaborate decoration symbolized the beauty and majesty of God's dwelling place among His people.

In a more personal context, ornamentation is seen in the attire of individuals. For example, in Genesis 41:42 , Pharaoh adorns Joseph with fine linen and a gold chain as a sign of his elevated status: "Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck."

Metaphorical and Spiritual Significance

Ornamentation in Scripture often carries a deeper spiritual meaning. In Proverbs, wisdom and understanding are described as ornaments that enhance one's life. Proverbs 1:9 states, "For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck." Here, wisdom is likened to a beautiful adornment that brings honor and grace.

The prophets also use the imagery of ornamentation to convey messages of judgment and restoration. In Ezekiel 16, God describes Israel as an adorned bride whom He has clothed with fine garments and jewelry, symbolizing His covenant relationship with His people. However, Israel's unfaithfulness leads to the removal of these ornaments, signifying judgment and loss.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the concept of ornamentation shifts towards inner beauty and spiritual adornment. The apostle Peter advises women to focus on the "unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" rather than external adornment (1 Peter 3:3-4). This reflects a broader biblical principle that true beauty and honor come from one's character and relationship with God.

Similarly, Paul encourages believers to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" (Colossians 3:12), emphasizing virtues as the true adornments of a Christian life.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, ornamentation was a common practice, often indicating wealth, status, or religious devotion. Jewelry, fine clothing, and decorated objects were used in both secular and sacred contexts. The biblical references to ornamentation reflect these cultural practices while also infusing them with theological significance.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of being "ornamented" encompasses both physical adornment and spiritual beauty. While the Scriptures acknowledge the value of external beauty, they consistently elevate the importance of inner virtues and the adornment of the soul through a relationship with God.(imp. & p. p.) of Ornament.5718. Adayah -- "Yah has ornamented Himself," the name of a number ...
... "Yah has ornamented Himself," the name of a number of Isr. ... Word Origin from adah
and Yah Definition "Yah has ornamented Himself," the name of a number of Isr. ...
/hebrew/5718.htm - 6k

5927. alah -- to go up, ascend, climb
... 10), lighted (1), made (1), marching (1), mating (2), mount (9), mounted (2), offer
(29), offered (34), offering (10), offers (3), ornamented* (1), overgrown (1 ...
/hebrew/5927.htm - 8k

5921. al -- upon, above, over
... 1), named* (1), near (4), next (9), next* (13), now* (1), obliging* (1), off (6),
off* (5), opposed (1), opposite (1), opposite* (4), ornamented* (1), over (538 ...
/hebrew/5921.htm - 8k

Ambrose Also Uses the Temperate and Ornamented Style when He is ...
... Book 4 Chapter 48. Ambrose also uses the temperate and ornamented style
when he is holding up before? 48. Ambrose also uses the ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 48 ambrose also uses.htm

Devout Customs and Usages
... "The Stole is a strip of silk about three inches wide and eight and a half
feet long, with ends ornamented by embroidery and fringed. ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/devout customs and usages.htm

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
... They stood upon bases, measuring 6 feet by 4 1/2 feet, ornamented carefully on each
side with garlands hanging in festoons, literally, "garlands, pensile work ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/hiram the inspired artificer.htm

Marriage of the Blessed virgin to Joseph
... It hung in a single width down to the edge of the dress, of which it covered the
opening in front. The lower edge was ornamented with fringes and beads. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/vii marriage of the blessed.htm

Preface
... But whether it was lofty, or low, or square, or round; whether it stood east and
west, or north and south; whether it was ornamented or decorated or perfectly ...
/.../ryle/the upper room being a few truths for the times/preface.htm

Argument. Perpetua is Again Tempted by Her Father Her Third vision ...
... I went out to him, and opened the gate for him; and he was clothed in a richly
ornamented white robe, and he had on manifold callicul??. ...
/.../chapter iii argument perpetua is again.htm

Letter iv. Personal Habits.
... The carpet and papering of the room were of light neutral tints, and the broad sloping
walls which made the sides of the dormer window were ornamented, the one ...
/.../letter iv personal habits.htm

1879-1880. Experiences among Indians --Picnic in the Bush ...
... the hands of the giver. Chief Henry's wife gave a beautiful bark basket
ornamented with porcupine's quills. Then another head man ...
/.../lowe/gods answers/chapter viii 1879-1880 experiences among.htm

The Story of Panthea.
... There were beautiful and costly suits of arms, rich tents made of splendid materials
and highly ornamented, large sums of money, vessels of silver and gold ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter x the story of.htm

Classification.
... The appearance is that of a vast collection of microscopic urns, goblets, and vases,
each richly ornamented with small sculptured discs or perforations which ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/classification.htm

Ornamented (14 Occurrences)
...Ornamented (14 Occurrences). ... (BBE). 1 Kings 6:35 These were ornamented with designs
of winged ones and palm-trees and open flowers, plated over with gold. (BBE). ...
/o/ornamented.htm - 10k

Designs (118 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:18 (All the inside of the house was cedar-wood, ornamented with designs
of buds and flowers; no stonework was to be seen inside.) (BBE). ...
/d/designs.htm - 35k

Plated (29 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Kings 6:35 These were ornamented with designs of winged ones and
palm-trees and open flowers, plated over with gold. (BBE). ...
/p/plated.htm - 14k

Winged (69 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Kings 6:29 And all the walls of the house inside and out were ornamented
with forms of winged ones and palm-trees and open flowers. (BBE). ...
/w/winged.htm - 26k

Decorated (12 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Chronicles 3:5 The greater house he made a ceiling with fir wood, which
he overlaid with fine gold, and ornamented it with palm trees and chains. ...
/d/decorated.htm - 10k

Lampstand (38 Occurrences)
... commonly vertical. This form is called Roman, and the bowl is often ornamented
with mythological human or animal figures (Fig. 5 ...
/l/lampstand.htm - 24k

Lamp (45 Occurrences)
... commonly vertical. This form is called Roman, and the bowl is often ornamented
with mythological human or animal figures (Fig. 5 ...
/l/lamp.htm - 28k

High (4559 Occurrences)
... It was without seam or sleeves. The hem or skirt was ornamented with pomegranates
and golden bells, seventy-two of each in alternate order. ...
/h/high.htm - 60k

Violet (3 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 2 Chronicles 3:14 He made the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson,
and fine linen, and ornamented it with cherubim. (See NAS). ...
/v/violet.htm - 8k

Nave (19 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Chronicles 3:5 The greater house he made a ceiling with fir wood, which
he overlaid with fine gold, and ornamented it with palm trees and chains. ...
/n/nave.htm - 12k

Why did Jacob give Joseph a coat of many colors? | GotQuestions.org

Ornamented: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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