In the context of the Bible, the concept of a "portrait" as understood in modern terms—an artistic representation of a person—does not explicitly appear. However, the Bible does provide descriptions and imagery that serve a similar purpose, offering insight into the character and appearance of individuals, particularly in the context of their spiritual and moral attributes.

Biblical Descriptions and Imagery

While the Bible does not contain physical portraits, it often uses vivid language to describe individuals, emphasizing their spiritual qualities and roles. For example, King David is described as "ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features" (1 Samuel 16:12). This description not only provides a glimpse of his physical appearance but also sets the stage for his anointing as king, highlighting God's choice based on the heart rather than outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).

Similarly, the Shulammite woman in the Song of Solomon is depicted with rich and poetic imagery, celebrating her beauty and the love between her and her beloved. These descriptions, while not portraits in the artistic sense, convey a deep appreciation for the individual's attributes and the relational dynamics at play.

Symbolic Portraits

The Bible also uses symbolic language to create "portraits" of individuals and groups, often reflecting their spiritual state or role in God's plan. For instance, the Book of Revelation contains symbolic portrayals of Jesus Christ, such as the vision of Him with "eyes like a flame of fire" and "feet like polished bronze" (Revelation 1:14-15). These images convey His divine authority, purity, and judgment.

The prophets frequently employ symbolic imagery to depict the spiritual condition of Israel and other nations. Isaiah, for example, uses the metaphor of a vineyard to describe Israel's relationship with God, highlighting both the nation's potential and its failures (Isaiah 5:1-7).

The Image of God

A foundational concept related to the idea of a portrait is the biblical teaching that humans are made in the "image of God" (Genesis 1:27). This theological truth underscores the inherent dignity and worth of every person, reflecting God's attributes such as rationality, morality, and relationality. While this "image" is not a physical likeness, it serves as a profound portrait of humanity's unique role in creation and relationship with the Creator.

Jesus Christ: The Perfect Image

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is described as the "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). This portrayal emphasizes His divine nature and His role as the perfect revelation of God to humanity. Through His life, teachings, and sacrificial death, Jesus provides the ultimate portrait of God's love, holiness, and redemptive plan.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not contain traditional portraits, it offers rich descriptions and symbolic imagery that convey the essence of individuals and their spiritual significance. These biblical "portraits" serve to illuminate the character and purposes of God as revealed through His creation and His redemptive work in history.1. (n.) The likeness of a person, painted, drawn, or engraved; commonly, a representation of the human face painted from real life.

2. (n.) Hence, any graphic or vivid delineation or description of a person; as, a portrait in words.

3. (v. t.) To portray; to draw.

The Portrait of the Bride
... VOLUME I: PSALMS I to XLIX THE PORTRAIT OF THE BRIDE. 'Hearken, O daughter,
and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the portrait of the bride.htm

Portrait of a Matron
... THE PROVERBS PORTRAIT OF A MATRON. 'Who can find a virtuous woman? for
her price is far above rubies.11. The heart of her husband ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/portrait of a matron.htm

The Portrait of a Drunkyard
... THE PROVERBS THE PORTRAIT OF A DRUNKYARD. 'Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath
contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the portrait of a drunkyard.htm

September the Fourth a Portrait of a Great Suppliant
... SEPTEMBER The Fourth A PORTRAIT OF A GREAT SUPPLIANT. MATTHEW viii.5-13. Here we
have the grace of sympathy; one man troubled about the sickness of another. ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/september the fourth a portrait.htm

A Portrait Gallery
... CHAPTER VII A PORTRAIT GALLERY. "We must ... HUTTON. A PORTRAIT GALLERY. WHEREIN
THE READER IS INTRODUCED TO SOME OF OUR FELLOW WORKERS. IN ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter vii a portrait gallery.htm

Another Portrait Gallery
... CHAPTER XXI ANOTHER PORTRAIT GALLERY. "In tragic life, God wot, No villain
need be! Passions ... RUTHERFORD. ANOTHER PORTRAIT GALLERY. ...
/.../chapter xxi another portrait gallery.htm

Some Few Days After, the Portrait of Constantine, Adorned with ...
... Chap. XXV. Some few days after, the portrait of Constantine, adorned with
laurels? Some few days after, the portrait of Constantine ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xxv some few days.htm

A Portrait once Effaced must be Restored from the Original. Thus ...
... Section 14. A portrait once effaced must be restored from the original. ... Section
14. A portrait once effaced must be restored from the original. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 14 a portrait once.htm

Biographies of Musicians.
... BIOGRAPHIES OF MUSICIANS. LIFE OF LISZT. With Portrait. LIFE OF HAYDN. With Portrait.
LIFE OF MOZART. With Portrait. LIFE OF WAGNER. With Portrait. ...
/.../biographies of musicians.htm

Preface
... The portrait of Knox, from Beza's book of portraits of Reformers, is posthumous,
but is probably a good likeness drawn from memory, after a description by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lang/john knox and the reformation/preface.htm

Portrait (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Hence, any graphic or vivid delineation or description of a person; as,
a portrait in words. 3. (vt) To portray; to draw. ...Portrait (2 Occurrences). ...
/p/portrait.htm - 7k

Innocents (2 Occurrences)
... fact. (3) The portrait of Herod the Great. So ... involved. By many it is affirmed
that we have here a hostile and unfair portrait. This ...
/i/innocents.htm - 20k

Massacre (1 Occurrence)
... fact. (3) The portrait of Herod the Great. So ... involved. By many it is affirmed
that we have here a hostile and unfair portrait. This ...
/m/massacre.htm - 20k

Jude (4 Occurrences)
... It is needful to gaze with steady vision on the portrait Jude furnishes of these
depraved foes, if we are to appreciate in any measure the force of his ...
/j/jude.htm - 40k

Natural (49 Occurrences)
... 6. (a.) Resembling the object imitated; true to nature; according to the life; --
said of anything copied or imitated; as, a portrait is natural. ...
/n/natural.htm - 42k

Nebuchadnezzar (90 Occurrences)
... The helmeted profile is said (Schrader) to be genuine also, but it is more probable
that it is the portrait of a usurper in the time of Darius (Hystaspes ...
/n/nebuchadnezzar.htm - 57k

Likeness (52 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Appearance or form; guise. 3. (n.) That which closely resembles; a portrait.
4. (n.) A comparison; parable; proverb. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/l/likeness.htm - 29k

Flatter (5 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To portray too favorably; to give a too favorable idea of; as, his portrait
flatters him. 7. (vi) To use flattery or insincere praise. ...
/f/flatter.htm - 8k

Miniature (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (v.) Originally, a painting in colors such as those in mediaeval manuscripts;
in modern times, any very small painting, especially a portrait. ...
/m/miniature.htm - 7k

Memphis (8 Occurrences)
... The one which remains, though mutilated, measures 48 feet. It is finely carved in
limestone, which takes a high polish, and is evidently a portrait. ...
/m/memphis.htm - 14k

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Portrait: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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