The term "unfavorable" in a biblical context often refers to circumstances, conditions, or outcomes that are adverse or not conducive to one's desires or expectations. Throughout Scripture, unfavorable situations are frequently depicted as opportunities for growth, testing, and reliance on God's sovereignty and provision.

Biblical Instances of Unfavorable Circumstances:

1. Joseph's Imprisonment: Joseph's life is a profound example of enduring unfavorable conditions. Sold into slavery by his brothers and later imprisoned on false charges, Joseph's circumstances were dire. Yet, Genesis 39:21 states, "But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." Despite the adversity, God's presence and favor were evident, ultimately leading to Joseph's rise to power in Egypt.

2. Israel's Wilderness Journey: The Israelites faced numerous unfavorable conditions during their 40-year journey in the wilderness. Despite the harsh environment and scarcity of resources, God provided manna, quail, and water, demonstrating His faithfulness. Deuteronomy 8:2 reflects on this period: "Remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments."

3. Paul's Trials and Imprisonment: The Apostle Paul experienced many unfavorable situations, including shipwrecks, beatings, and imprisonment. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 , Paul recounts the Lord's response to his plea for relief from a "thorn in the flesh": "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.'" Paul's experiences highlight how God's strength is made manifest in human weakness.

Theological Implications:

Unfavorable circumstances in the Bible often serve as a backdrop for divine intervention and revelation. They remind believers of the transient nature of earthly trials and the eternal perspective that God calls His people to maintain. Romans 8:28 assures believers, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."

Responses to Unfavorable Conditions:

1. Faith and Trust: Believers are encouraged to trust in God's plan and timing, even when circumstances seem unfavorable. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

2. Perseverance and Endurance: Scripture calls for perseverance in the face of trials. James 1:2-4 states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

3. Prayer and Supplication: In times of adversity, prayer is a vital response. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Conclusion:

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of unfavorable circumstances, it consistently points to God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the ultimate good He brings from such situations. Believers are called to respond with faith, perseverance, and prayer, trusting that God is at work even in the most challenging times.(a.) Not favorable; not propitious; adverse; contrary; discouraging.2205. zelos -- to have warmth of feeling for or against, to be ...
... From zeo; properly, heat, ie (figuratively) "zeal" (in a favorable sense, ardor;
in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband (figuratively, of God), or an ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2205.htm - 7k

255. alusiteles -- unprofitable
... [255 () is used in classical Greek (as in Hippocrates) as a technical medical term
for "unfavorable" symptoms.]. Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/255.htm - 7k

4917. mishlachath -- a discharge, deputation, sending
... discharge, sending. Feminine of mishlowach; a mission, ie (abstractly) and favorable)
release, or (concretely and unfavorable) an army -- discharge, sending. ...
/hebrew/4917.htm - 6k

4916. mishlowach -- outstretching
... mish-lo'-akh}; also mishlach {mish-lawkh'}; from shalach; a sending out, ie (abstractly)
presentation (favorable), or seizure (unfavorable); also (concretely ...
/hebrew/4916.htm - 5k

4941. mishpat -- judgment
... From shaphat; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially,
especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law ...
/hebrew/4941.htm - 7k

5183. Nachath -- quietness, rest
... From nchath; a descent, ie Imposition, unfavorable (punishment) or favorable (food);
also (intransitively; perhaps from nuwach), restfulness -- lighting down ...
/hebrew/5183.htm - 5k

5564. samak -- to lean, lay, rest, support
... A primitive root; to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon
or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense) -- bear up, establish ...
/hebrew/5564.htm - 6k

1082. balag -- to gleam, smile
... A primitive root; to break off or loose (in a favorable or unfavorable sense), ie
Desist (from grief) or invade (with destruction) -- comfort, (recover ...
/hebrew/1082.htm - 6k

Whether the Limbo of Hell is the Same as Abraham's Bosom?
... xxxiii): "Surely no one would be allowed to give an unfavorable signification to
Abraham's bosom and the place of rest whither the godly poor man was carried ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the limbo of hell.htm

The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*]
... whereby to designate this great empire. Neither is this unfavorable opinion
removed immediately on landing. The style of building is ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/iii the city of the.htm

Against what Has Been Advanced in the Preceding Pages...
... Many writers on the art of preaching, as well as on eloquence in general, have
given a decided judgment unfavorable to extempore speaking. ...
/.../ware/hints on extemporaneous preaching/chapter ii against what has.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... The Jehovist belonged to the northern kingdom; the Elohists were of Judah. The state
of the nation after Rehoboam was unfavorable to literature. ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

The Preacher's Cry --Pray for Us!
... It has no traveling force; it stops because the atmosphere is cold, unsympathetic,
unfavorable to its running to the hearts of men and women. ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/x the preachers crypray for.htm

The Peroration
... Both of the contending sides, therefore, try to conciliate the judge, to make him
unfavorable to the opponent, to rouse and occasionally allay his passions ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the peroration.htm

Honorable Submission
... attraction to the homeseeker, who for the last few years has been very sceptical
in his preference on account of existing unfavorable conditions regarding the ...
/.../chapter viii honorable submission.htm

Smerdis the Magian.
... When Cyrus had been some time absent, these magians, having in the mean time, perhaps,
heard unfavorable accounts of his conduct and character, and knowing the ...
/.../abbott/darius the great/chapter iii smerdis the magian.htm

Daniel, the Praying Captive
... privileges. He was a striking illustration of a young man who was decidedly
religious under the most unfavorable surroundings. He ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/x daniel the praying captive.htm

Preface
... Now if this healing grace of ours cures the unfavorable opinion of our God held
by certain men, it will be no small reward that I have thus aided many. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/preface.htm

Unfavorable (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not favorable; not propitious; adverse; contrary;
discouraging. Multi-Version Concordance Unfavorable (1 Occurrence). ...
/u/unfavorable.htm - 6k

Laws (184 Occurrences)
... ancient societies. Wars or unfavorable seasons would soon reduce a farmer
to a condition in which he would have to borrow. But money ...
/l/laws.htm - 47k

Agrarian
... ancient societies. Wars or unfavorable seasons would soon reduce a farmer
to a condition in which he would have to borrow. But money ...
/a/agrarian.htm - 17k

Sabbath (126 Occurrences)
... In certain months of the year (Elul, Marcheshvan) the 7th, 14th, 19th, 21st and
28th days were set down as favorable days, or unfavorable days, that is, as ...
/s/sabbath.htm - 86k

Notorious (16 Occurrences)
... public; as, a notorious thief; a notorious crime or vice; universally believed to
be true; manifest to the world; evident; -- usually in an unfavorable sense. ...
/n/notorious.htm - 11k

Nourish (16 Occurrences)
... Acts 12:20, the Revised Version (British and American) "feed"; Revelation 12:14);
"to fatten" (James 5:5, the context indicating an unfavorable meaning). ...
/n/nourish.htm - 13k

Unfeeling (2 Occurrences)

/u/unfeeling.htm - 7k

Unfathomable (3 Occurrences)

/u/unfathomable.htm - 7k

Jezebel (20 Occurrences)
... the king is the persecutor. What then can be said for the unfavorable Verdict
of the Hebrew historians? That verdict is based on ...
/j/jezebel.htm - 26k

Ill (137 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Contrary to good, in a physical sense; contrary or opposed to advantage,
happiness, etc.; bad; evil; unfortunate; disagreeable; unfavorable. ...
/i/ill.htm - 35k

What does the Bible say about prejudice? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be a root out of dry ground (Isaiah 53:2)? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian spouse handle an adulterous affair that has resulted in a child? | GotQuestions.org

Unfavorable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus