The saying “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” means beauty is relative. Indeed, beauty means different things to different people. Even in the Bible, beauty is used in different contexts to illustrate different meanings. Let us have a look at some of the noteworthy usage of the word “beauty” or its close variants like “fair” or “goodly” in the scriptures.  

What Does Beauty Mean in the Bible?

The Bible emphasizes that beauty starts from the inside rather than from the outside. One of the most commonly referenced scriptures on beauty is Proverbs 31:30 which reminds us how temporary outside looks are. Instead, the proverb encourages us to focus more on the intrinsic beauty that stems from the fear of the Lord. From this, we can infer that it is only through a close relationship with God that we can attain true beauty. 

The Bible on Inner Beauty

As we have already observed, the Bible emphasizes the importance of inner beauty and how it trumps outer beauty. Here are a couple of scriptures that belabor this principle. 

God warns prophet Samuel about outer beauty

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'” 1 Samuel 16:7

This scripture is a stark reminder that God is not impressed by our outside appearance but he is more interested in the condition of our hearts. Jesus echoed this when he rebuked the Pharisees who were big on appearances and yet their hearts were not right (Mathew 15:6)

Outward Beauty is fleeting

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

This verse from the famous Proverbs 31 passage highlights the fleeting nature of external beauty and emphasizes the lasting value of a woman’s reverence for God. Inner beauty, rooted in a deep relationship with the Lord, is what truly deserves admiration.

Emphasis placed on inner beauty

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.1 Peter 3:3-4.

Most ladies spend a great deal of time working on their physical appearance. From styling their hair and applying makeup to choosing the perfect outfit, they will do anything to look great. While there is nothing wrong with that, the scripture above reminds us that we should spend even more time taking care of our inner beauty. Inner beauty, characterized by humility, gentleness, and a quiet confidence in God, is of great value in God’s sight.

The Bible on Outer Beauty

As much as the Bible places a lot of premium on inner beauty, several characters are described as beautiful (to the eye). Here are some of these characters:

The Beauty of Sarah

And when the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very fair. The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.” (Genesis 12:14-15)

In the scripture above, Sarah, the wife to Abraham, is described as “very fair.” It is not only Abraham who thought so because even the Egyptians were attracted to her. In a desperate attempt to save his life, Abraham ends up lying that Sarah is her sister. He was afraid that they would kill him to take her because of her beauty. 

The beauty of Rebekah

And she was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.” (Genesis 24:16).

In the words of scripture, Rebekah was “very fair to look upon.” Rebekah was so beautiful that her beauty captivated Abraham’s servant who was on a mission to find Issac a wife. But just like Sarah, Rebekah’s outward looks were nothing compared to her kindness and generosity which demonstrated true beauty. 

The beauty of Abigael

Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance…” (1 Samuel 25:3).

Abigail, the wife of Nabal, is celebrated for her beauty and wisdom. Described as “a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance,” Abigail’s inner virtues shine brightly in the face of adversity. Her grace and intelligence ultimately prevent disaster and bring about reconciliation, showcasing the transformative power of beauty when coupled with wisdom and virtue.

The beauty of Queen Esther

The story of Esther is perhaps one of the most incredible stories of beauty in the Bible. Esther rose to power after Queen Vashti, who was incredibly beautiful, became too proud on account of her beauty. Queen Vashti loses her life due to her arrogance and Esther is chosen as her replacement. Even though Esther emerges as the most beautiful girl in the kingdom, she does not repeat the mistakes of her predecessor but rather holds her position with grace, wisdom, and courage. Her bravery in risking her life to save her people highlights the transformative power of beauty when coupled with righteousness and bravery.

God is described as beautiful

When we think of beauty in the Bible, God may not necessarily be the first thing that comes to mind. That’s because society has accustomed us to think of beauty as a quality for women. However, the Bible describes God as beautiful in numerous places. Here are a couple of examples:

Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar. Isaiah 33:17

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4 

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,  God shines forth. Psalm 50:2

In the above scriptures, the word beauty has been used to describe God’s attractiveness and desirability. God is the “desire of ages” because of his desirability. The beauty in this case is not about his physical features but the quality that made Moses desire to know his ways. It is these intrinsic qualities of God that attract angels and all creation to bow down in reverence and worship. 

Conclusion

To wrap things up, beauty in the Bible means many things. While the word has been used in some passages about outer beauty, the Bible demonstrates that inner beauty is more important. The Christian must therefore prioritize inner beauty while not neglecting outer beauty. In the words of scripture, the outer man decays but the inner man is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ).