Beauty

How Nave’s arranged it

• Vanity ofPsalms 39:11Proverbs 6:25Proverbs 31:30Isaiah 3:24Ezekiel 16:14Ezekiel 28:17
• Wastes awayPsalms 39:11Psalms 49:14
• INSTANCES OF
• SarahGenesis 12:11
• RebekahGenesis 24:16
• RachelGenesis 29:17
• JosephGenesis 39:6
• MosesExodus 2:2Hebrews 11:23
• David1 Samuel 16:121 Samuel 16:18
• Bath-sheba2 Samuel 11:2
• Tamar2 Samuel 13:1
• Absalom2 Samuel 14:25

The passages, in Bible order (29)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Genesis 12:11

   As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman,

   ›Commentary on Genesis 12:112 voices

   “There came a famine, and so he went to Egypt. He knew that in Egypt the dissipation of youth was widespread, characterized by lust, impudent desires and unrestrained passions. He understood that among such men the modesty of his wife would be defenseless and that her beauty would be a danger for him. So he told his wife to say that she was his sister. By this we are taught that it is not so much beauty that one should seek in a wife, for this often leads to the death of the husband.

   “The counsel of Abram to her was true in words, but it was a deception, intended to give an impression that she was no more than his sister. His conduct was culpable and inconsistent with his character as a servant of God: it showed a reliance on worldly policy more than a trust in the promise; and he not only sinned himself, but tempted Sarai to sin also.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 12:11→

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2. Genesis 24:16

   Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 24:161 voice

   “And the damsel was very fair to look upon,.... Of a good countenance and beautiful aspect: a virgin: neither had any man known her; not only was reckoned a virgin, but was really one, pure and incorrupt: and she went down to the well and filled her pitcher, and came up; by which it appears the well lay low, there was a descent unto it, and an ascent from it.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 24:16→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Genesis 29:17

   Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 29:172 voices

   “Leah was tender eyed,.... Blear eyed, had a moisture in them, which made them red, and so she was not so agreeable to look at; though Onkelos renders the words,"the eyes of Leah were beautiful,''as if her beauty lay in her eyes, and nowhere else: but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured; in all parts, in the form of her countenance, in her shape and stature, and in her complexion, her hair black, her flesh white and ruddy, as Ben Melech observes.

   “Leah was tender-eyed - רכות raccoth, soft, delicate, lovely. I believe the word means just the reverse of the signification generally given to it. The design of the inspired writer is to compare both the sisters together, that the balance may appear to be greatly in favor of Rachel. The chief recommendation of Leah was her soft and beautiful eyes; but Rachel was יפת תאר yephath toar, beautiful in her shape, person, mien, and gait, and יפת מראה yephath mareh, beautiful in her countenance.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 29:17→

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4. Genesis 39:6

   So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,

   ›Commentary on Genesis 39:61 voice

   “Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored - יפה תאר ויפה מראה yepkeh thoar, vipheh mareh, beautiful in his person, and beautiful in his countenance. The same expressions are used relative to Rachel; see them explained Gen 29:17 (note). The beauty of Joseph is celebrated over all the East, and the Persian poets vie with each other in descriptions of his comeliness. Mohammed spends the twelfth chapter of the Koran entirely on Joseph, and represents him as a perfect beauty, and the most accomplished of mortals.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 39:6→

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5. Exodus 2:2

   and she conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months.

   ›Commentary on Exodus 2:22 voices

   “Hence it is said to have been done by faith (Heb 11:23), either in the general promise of deliverance, or some special revelation made to Amram and Jochebed--and in this view, the pious couple gave a beautiful example of a firm reliance on the word of God, united with an active use of the most suitable means.

   “Bare a son - This certainly was not her first child, for Aaron was fourscore and three years old when Moses was but fourscore, see Exo 7:7: and there was a sister, probably Miriam, who was older than either; see below, Exo 2:4, and see Num 26:59. Miriam and Aaron had no doubt been both born before the decree was passed for the destruction of the Hebrew male children, mentioned in the preceding chapter.

   Everything gathered on Exodus 2:2→

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6. 1 Samuel 16:12

   So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:121 voice

   “He was ruddy - I believe the word here means red-haired, he had golden locks. Hair of this kind is ever associated with a delicate skin and florid complexion.

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 16:12→

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7. 1 Samuel 16:18

   One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:182 voices

   “It is fitting to raise the eyes of faith to the power of this craftsman, and to consider here and there the Fathers of the new and old testament. Behold, with these same eyes of faith opened, I gaze upon David, Amos, Daniel, Peter, Paul, Matthew, and I wish to consider what kind of craftsman this Holy Spirit is, but in my very consideration I fall short. For he fills a boy who plays the harp, and makes him a psalmist. He fills a herdsman shepherd picking sycamore figs, and makes him a prophet.

   “I have seen a son of Jesse - Dr. Warburton supposes the story is anticipated from 1Sa 16:14-23, and that the true chronology of this part of David’s life is the following: - 1. David is anointed by Samuel; 2. Carries provisions to his brethren in the army; 3. Fights with and kills Goliath; 4. Is received into the king’s court, 5. Contracts a friendship with Jonathan; 6. Incurs Saul’s jealousy; 7. Retires to his father’s house; 8. Is after some time sent for by Saul to sooth his melancholy with his harp;

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 16:18→

   Verse page →Original language →

8. 2 Samuel 11:2

   One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 11:22 voices

   “Arose from off his bed - Where he had lain, and slept for some time. And the bed of sloth often proves the bed of lust. Washing herself - In a bath, which was in her garden.

   “In an evening-tide - David arose - He had been reposing on the roof of his house, to enjoy the breeze, as the noonday was too hot for the performance of business. This is still a constant custom on the flat-roofed houses in the East. He saw a woman washing herself - How could any woman of delicacy expose herself where she could be so fully and openly viewed? Did she not know that she was at least in view of the king’s terrace? Was there no design in all this? Et fugit ad salices, et se cupit ante videri.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 11:2→

   Verse page →Original language →

9. 2 Samuel 13:1

   After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 13:11 voice

   “Whose name was Tamar - Tamar was the daughter of David and Maacah, daughter of the king of Geshur, and the uterine sister of Absalom. Amnon was David’s eldest son by Ahinoam. She was therefore sister to Amnon only by the father’s side, i.e., half-sister; but whole sister to Absalom.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 13:1→

   Verse page →Original language →

10. 2 Samuel 14:25

    Now there was not a man in all Israel as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.

    ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:251 voice

    “None to be so much praised as Absalom - It was probably his personal beauty that caused the people to interest themselves so much in his behalf; for the great mass of the public is ever caught and led by outward appearances. There was no blemish in him - He was perfect and regular in all his features, and in all his proportions.

    Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 14:25→

    Verse page →Original language →

11. 1 Kings 1:4

    The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her.

    Verse page →Original language →

12. 1 Chronicles 16:29

    Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness;

    ›Commentary on 1 Chronicles 16:291 voice

    “And again, in another prophecy, the Spirit of prophecy, through the same David, intimated that Christ, after He had been crucified, should reign, and spoke as follows: "Sing to the Lord, all the earth, and day by day declare His salvation. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, to be feared above all the gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols of devils; but God made the heavens. Glory and praise are before His face, strength and glorying are in the habitation of His holiness. Give Glory to the Lord, the Father everlasting.

    Everything gathered on 1 Chronicles 16:29→

    Verse page →Original language →

13. Esther 1:11

    to bring Queen Vashti before him, wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and officials. For she was beautiful to behold.

    ›Commentary on Esther 1:112 voices

    “To bring Vashti the queen before the king,.... Not against her will, or by force; but they were sent to let her know it was the king's pleasure that she should come to him immediately: with the crown royal; that is, upon her head, to make her look the more grand and majestic: to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was fair to look upon; which was not wisely done, neither was it comely nor safe.

    “To bring Vashti the queen - This command, though contrary to Persian customs, is not out of harmony with the character of Xerxes; and is evidently related as something strange and unusual. Otherwise, the queen would not have refused to come.

    Everything gathered on Esther 1:11→

    Verse page →Original language →

14. Esther 2:7

    And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, because she did not have a father or mother. The young woman was lovely in form and appearance, and when her father and mother had died, Mordecai had taken her in as his own daughter.

    ›Commentary on Esther 2:72 voices

    “And he brought up Hadassah (that is Esther) his uncle's daughter,.... Her Hebrew name was Hadassah, which signifies a myrtle, to which the Israelites, and good men among them, are sometimes compared, Zec 1:

    “Hadassah, הדסה hădassâh from הדס hădas (“myrtle”) would seem to have been the Hebrew, and Esther the Persian, name of the damsel. Esther is thought to be connected through the Zend with ἀστήρ astēr, “star.” But there is not at present any positive evidence of the existence in Old Persian of a kindred word.

    Everything gathered on Esther 2:7→

    Verse page →Original language →

15. Psalms 27:4

    One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.

    ›Commentary on Psalms 27:41 voice

    “One thing. Divided aims tend to distraction, weakness, disappointment. The man of one book is eminent, the man of one pursuit is successful. Let all our affections be bound up in one affection, and that affection set upon heavenly things. Have I desired —what we cannot at once attain, it is well to desire. God judges us very much by the desire of our hearts.

    Everything gathered on Psalms 27:4→

    Verse page →Original language →

16. Psalms 29:2

    Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.

    ›Commentary on Psalms 29:21 voice

    “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name. A third time the admonition is given, for men are backward in glorifying God, and especially great men, who are often too much swollen with their own glory to spare time to give God his rightful praise, although nothing more is asked of them than is most just and right. Surely men should not need so much pressing to give what is due, especially when the payment is so pleasant.

    Everything gathered on Psalms 29:2→

    Verse page →Original language →