Adorning in the biblical context refers to the act of decorating or embellishing oneself or something else, often with the intent to enhance beauty or attractiveness. The concept of adorning is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, where it is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual virtues or the inner qualities of a person, as well as literally in reference to physical appearance and attire.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, adorning is frequently associated with preparation and presentation, often in the context of worship or significant events. For example, in Exodus 28, God commands Moses to make holy garments for Aaron, the high priest, "for glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2). These garments were adorned with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and fine linen, symbolizing the sacredness and honor of the priestly office.

The prophets also use the imagery of adorning to convey messages of restoration and divine favor. In Isaiah 61:10, the prophet declares, "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul will exult in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels" . Here, adorning signifies the joy and righteousness bestowed by God upon His people.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of adorning is often discussed in the context of modesty and the inner beauty of a believer. The Apostle Peter advises women in 1 Peter 3:3-4, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight" . This passage emphasizes the importance of inner virtues over external appearances.

Similarly, the Apostle Paul instructs women in 1 Timothy 2:9-10, "Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God" . Paul underscores that true adornment for a believer is characterized by good works and a godly lifestyle.

Spiritual Adorning

Beyond physical appearance, the Bible frequently uses adorning as a metaphor for spiritual readiness and righteousness. In Revelation 21:2, the New Jerusalem is described as "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" , symbolizing the purity and beauty of the Church as it is presented to Christ.

The concept of adorning is also linked to the virtues and character that believers are encouraged to cultivate. In Titus 2:10, Paul exhorts servants to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every way" , suggesting that the way believers live their lives should reflect and enhance the teachings of the Gospel.

In summary, adorning in the Bible encompasses both the physical and spiritual dimensions, urging believers to prioritize inner beauty and godliness over external appearances, while also recognizing the significance of preparation and presentation in worship and spiritual life.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Adorn.2889. kosmos -- order, the world
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition order, the world NASB Word Usage adornment
(1), world (184), world's (1). adorning, world. Probably ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2889.htm - 7k

Christ, for Thee a Wreath Adorning
... ST. GREGORY Christ, for Thee a wreath adorning. tr., John Brownlie 8,7,8,7. ... I. Christ,
for Thee a wreath adorning. Weaves my raptured soul with glee,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/christ for thee a wreath.htm

V. ...
... Whose adorning is not outward, in the braiding of the hair, and the wearing of gold,
or the putting on of apparel, but the hidden man of the heart, in that ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter iii v .htm

Women Adorned with Good Work
... In the first they are taught that their adorning is to be not with braided hair,
and gold or pearls or costly raiment, but, as becomes women preferring ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xvii women adorned with good.htm

Commandments to Men.
... willing to please his own wife alone, [2553] and treat her honourably and obligingly,
endeavouring to be agreeable to her; (III.) not adorning thyself in such ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii commandments to men.htm

On Dress
... Second Series Sermon 88 On Dress. "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning
of " wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; "But let it be the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 88 on dress.htm

A Faithful Undershepherd
... "Whose adorning," he counseled, "let it not be ... "By their fruits ye shall know them."
Matthew 7:20. The inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit is priceless. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 51 a faithful undershepherd.htm

The Creation
... In the work of creation there are two things to be considered: 1: The making.2:
The adorning. I. The making of the world. ... II. The adorning of the world. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/13 the creation.htm

Hark the Voice of Angels.
... Hills and valleys sing,. Sunlight is adorning. Every pleasant thing; Not a note
of sadness. ... Smiling from the hills; All our life adorning,. Banishing our ills; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the early church/hark the voice of angels.htm

That a Woman Ought not to be Adorned in a Worldly Fashion.
... a good conversation." [4399] Of this same thing in the Epistle of Peter to the people
at Pontus: "Let there be in a woman not the outward adorning of ornament ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/36 that a woman ought.htm

Temples Built by Constantine the Great; the City Called by his ...
... He imposed taxes to cover the expenses of building and adorning the city, and of
supplying its inhabitants with food, and providing the city with all the other ...
/.../chapter iii temples built by constantine.htm

Adorning (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Adorn. Multi-Version Concordance
Adorning (2 Occurrences). 1 Peter 3:3 Let your beauty ...
/a/adorning.htm - 7k

Plaiting (3 Occurrences)
... is from the Latin plicatum, "fold"): An interweaving, a braiding, a knot; an elaborate
gathering of the hair into knots; emploke, "outward adorning of plaiting ...
/p/plaiting.htm - 8k

Adornment (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An adorning; an ornament; a decoration.
Multi-Version Concordance Adornment (7 Occurrences). 1 Peter ...
/a/adornment.htm - 8k

Decoration (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of adorning, embellishing, or honoring;
ornamentation. 2. (n.) That which adorns, enriches ...
/d/decoration.htm - 7k

Apparel (38 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair,
and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/a/apparel.htm - 24k

Outward (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair,
and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; (WEB KJV WEY ...
/o/outward.htm - 13k

Onyx (16 Occurrences)
... A hail; claw; hoof, (Hebrews shoham), a precious stone adorning the breast-plate
of the high priest and the shoulders of the ephod (Exodus 28:9-12, 20; 35:27 ...
/o/onyx.htm - 12k

Jewels (54 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair,
and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; (WEB ASV BBE). ...
/j/jewels.htm - 23k

Wearing (43 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair,
and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; (WEB KJV WEY ...
/w/wearing.htm - 18k

Flowering (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The act of blossoming, or the season when plants blossom; florification.
4. (n.) The act of adorning with flowers. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/flowering.htm - 8k

Why does the Bible speak against braided hair? | GotQuestions.org

Should Christian women wear makeup or jewelry? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian view fashion? | GotQuestions.org

Adorning: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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