The term "adorns" in the Bible often refers to the act of decorating or enhancing something to make it more beautiful or attractive. This concept is applied both in a literal sense, such as the adornment of physical objects or people, and in a metaphorical sense, relating to spiritual or moral qualities.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, adornment is frequently associated with the beautification of sacred spaces and objects. For example, the Tabernacle and the Temple were adorned with precious materials to reflect the glory and holiness of God. Exodus 28:2 describes the priestly garments: "Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor." Here, adornment serves a divine purpose, signifying the sanctity and honor of the priestly office.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of adornment takes on a more spiritual dimension. The apostle Peter advises women on the nature of true beauty: "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" (1 Peter 3:3-4). This passage emphasizes the importance of inner spiritual qualities over external appearances.

Similarly, Paul writes 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." Here, adornment is linked to modesty and good works, reflecting a life dedicated to God.

Spiritual Adornment

The Bible also speaks of spiritual adornment in terms of virtues and godly character. In Titus 2:10 , Paul encourages believers to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every way." This suggests that Christians are to live in a manner that reflects and enhances the teachings of the Gospel, making it attractive to others through their conduct.

Symbolic Adornment

Revelation uses the imagery of adornment to describe the New Jerusalem, the bride of Christ: "And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2). This symbolizes the ultimate union between Christ and His Church, adorned in righteousness and glory.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, adornment is portrayed as both a physical and spiritual concept, with an emphasis on the latter in the New Testament. The Bible encourages believers to focus on inner beauty and godly virtues, which are of eternal value in the sight of God.5710b. adah -- to ornament or deck oneself
... root Definition to ornament or deck oneself NASB Word Usage adorn (1), adorn yourself
(1), adorned (2), adorns (1), decorate (1), decorated yourselves (1 ...
/hebrew/5710b.htm - 5k

The First Rill Adorns the Memory
... THE SECOND BOOK CHAPTER XXXVI. THE FIRST RILL ADORNS THE MEMORY. The first
rill of grace, which God causes to flow forth in this ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxxvi the first rill.htm

"Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that ...
... And yet, truly, there is nothing in the world, that more adorns and beautifies a
man, nothing so elevates him above beasts as this, insomuch that many natural ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi who walk not.htm

Extracts from the Work on Things Created.
... This is the power of the Father. The other which adorns and embellishes,
by imitation of the former, the things which already exist. ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/extracts from the work on.htm

Sanctification
... glorious apparel. Exodus 28:8; so sanctification not only washes from sin,
but adorns with purity. What is sanctification? It is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/5 sanctification.htm

The Adornment of the Spritual Marriage
... CHAPTER XXXV. OF THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST, OR, THE FOUNTAIN WITH THREE RILLS.
CHAPTER XXXVI. THE FIRST RILL ADORNS THE MEMORY. CHAPTER XXXVII. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/

Perils to the virgins Themselves Attendant Upon Not-Veiling.
... individual! Is it virgins who (adorn or commend) the Church in the sight
of God, or the Church which adorns or commends virgins? ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter xiv perils to the virgins.htm

General Summary of the virtues and Effects of Patience.
... the weak; exhausts not the strong; is the delight of the believer; invites the Gentile;
commends the servant to his lord, and his lord to God; adorns the woman ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter xv general summary of the.htm

Kingo's Later Years
... lasting. When admiral Juul died, Kingo wrote the beautiful epitaph that
still adorns his tomb in the Holmen church at Copenhagen. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter seven kingos later years.htm

Christian Meekness
... meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the
hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/12 christian meekness.htm

Toilet.
... of the soul. One of the sweetest charms that adorns your age is that which
arises from its simplicity and candor. The world itself ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xv toilet.htm

Adorns (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Adorns (3 Occurrences). Psalms 93:5 Your statutes stand
firm. Holiness adorns your house, Yahweh, forevermore. (WEB NIV). ...
/a/adorns.htm - 7k

Adra

/a/adra.htm - 9k

Ornament (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) That which embellishes or adorns; that which
adds grace or beauty; embellishment; decoration; adornment. ...
/o/ornament.htm - 17k

Garland (6 Occurrences)
... the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as
a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with ...
/g/garland.htm - 9k

Forevermore (27 Occurrences)
... Psalms 92:8 But you, Yahweh, are on high forevermore. (WEB). Psalms 93:5 Your statutes
stand firm. Holiness adorns your house, Yahweh, forevermore. (WEB NAS). ...
/f/forevermore.htm - 13k

Endless (10 Occurrences)
... They name their lands after themselves. (See NIV). Psalms 93:5 Your statutes stand
firm. Holiness adorns your house, Yahweh, forevermore. (See NIV). ...
/e/endless.htm - 10k

Decks (2 Occurrences)
... the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as
a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with ...
/d/decks.htm - 7k

Decoration (1 Occurrence)
... honoring; ornamentation. 2. (n.) That which adorns, enriches, or beautifies;
something added by way of embellishment; ornament. 3. (n ...
/d/decoration.htm - 7k

Befits (8 Occurrences)
... Praise is fitting for the upright. (See RSV). Psalms 93:5 Your statutes stand firm.
Holiness adorns your house, Yahweh, forevermore. (See NAS RSV). ...
/b/befits.htm - 8k

Bridegroom (23 Occurrences)
... the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as
a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with ...
/b/bridegroom.htm - 14k

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