Cosmetics, in the context of the Bible, refer to substances or treatments used to enhance or alter the appearance, particularly of the face. The use of cosmetics is mentioned in several passages throughout the Scriptures, often reflecting cultural practices and attitudes towards beauty and adornment.

Biblical References and Cultural Context

1. Historical Use: The use of cosmetics in biblical times was common among various cultures in the ancient Near East. Women, and occasionally men, used oils, perfumes, and colored powders to beautify themselves. The practice was often associated with wealth and social status.

2. Esther's Preparation: One of the most notable references to cosmetics is found in the Book of Esther. Before being presented to King Xerxes, Esther underwent a year-long beauty treatment: "Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics" (Esther 2:12). This indicates the importance placed on physical appearance in royal settings.

3. Jezebel's Adornment: In 2 Kings 9:30, Jezebel is described as painting her eyes and adorning her head before facing Jehu: "When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it. So she painted her eyes, arranged her hair, and looked out of a window" . This act of adornment is often interpreted as a symbol of her defiance and vanity.

4. Warnings Against Excess: The prophets often warned against excessive adornment, associating it with idolatry and moral decline. In Isaiah 3:16-24, the prophet Isaiah criticizes the daughters of Zion for their haughty demeanor and excessive use of ornaments and cosmetics, predicting that their beauty will be replaced with shame.

5. Symbolism in Jeremiah: Jeremiah 4:30 uses cosmetics metaphorically to describe the futility of Judah's attempts to beautify itself in the face of impending judgment: "And you, O devastated one, what will you do? Though you dress yourself in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with gold jewelry, though you enlarge your eyes with paint, you beautify yourself in vain. Your lovers despise you; they seek your life" .

Theological Implications

The use of cosmetics in the Bible is often linked to themes of vanity, seduction, and moral decay. However, it is also seen as a part of cultural practices related to beauty and preparation, as in the case of Esther. The Bible does not explicitly prohibit the use of cosmetics, but it emphasizes the importance of inner beauty and character over outward appearance. In 1 Peter 3:3-4, women are encouraged to focus on the "unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight" .

Conclusion

While cosmetics are mentioned in the Bible, the emphasis is consistently placed on the heart and character rather than external adornment. The biblical narrative encourages believers to prioritize spiritual virtues over physical appearance, reflecting a deeper understanding of true beauty as defined by God.2 Kings 9:30
And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.
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1 Timothy 2:9
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with modesty and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
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Jeremiah 4:30
And when you are spoiled, what will you do? Though you clothe yourself with crimson, though you deck you with ornaments of gold, though you rend your face with painting, in vain shall you make yourself fair; your lovers will despise you, they will seek your life.
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Ezekiel 23:40
And furthermore, that you have sent for men to come from far, to whom a messenger was sent; and, see, they came: for whom you did wash yourself, painted your eyes, and decked yourself with ornaments,
Topicalbible.org

2885. kosmeo -- to order, arrange
... to , make , (, ). See 2889 (). [This term is the root of the English term,
"cosmetics," ie what ("orders") the face.]. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2885.htm - 7k8562. tamruq -- a scraping, rubbing
... 8561, 8562. tamruq. 8563 . a scraping, rubbing. Transliteration: tamruq
Phonetic Spelling: (tam-rook') Short Definition: cosmetics. ...
/hebrew/8562.htm - 6k

Against Embellishing the Body.
... But if one withdraw the veil of the temple, I mean the head-dress, the dye, the
clothes, the gold, the paint, the cosmetics,"that is, the web consisting of ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii against embellishing the body.htm

Prolegomena.
... with earrings, necklaces, and the rest of her ornaments of gold, her silk robe blazing
with embroidery, her face smeared with red and white cosmetics, and her ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/prolegomena.htm

The Avenging of the Saviour.
... And Titus says: If thou couldst at any time find anything either of cosmetics or
herbs which could cure the wound that I have in my face, as thou seest, so ...
/.../unknown/the avenging of the saviour/the avenging of the saviour.htm

The Study of Words
... Paint and polish them with feminine cosmetics, and admiration ceases; the very pains
taken to make them appear more beautiful add to the dislike we conceive ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the study of words.htm

Womanhood Self-Evident, and not to be Concealed by Just Leaving ...
... they consult the looking-glass to aid their beauty, and thin down their over-exacting
face with washing, perhaps withal vamp it up with cosmetics, toss their ...
/.../on the veiling of virgins/chapter xii womanhood self-evident and not.htm

Of Dyeing the Hair.
... Nay, moreover, the force of the cosmetics burns ruin into the hair; and the constant
application of even any undrugged moisture, lays up a store of harm for ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter vi of dyeing the hair.htm

It is not Enough that God Know us to be Chaste: we must Seem So ...
... Do you go forth (to meet them) already arrayed in the cosmetics and ornaments of
prophets and apostles; drawing your whiteness from simplicity, your ruddy hue ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter xiii it is not enough.htm

And for a Very Long While Wickedness Extended and Spread...
... presents to their wives teachings of wickedness, [110] in that they brought them
the virtues of roots and herbs, dyeing in colors and cosmetics, the discovery ...
/.../irenaeus/the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 18 and for a.htm

Letter xxxviii. To Marcella.
... The women who ought to scandalize Christians are those who paint their eyes and
lips with rouge and cosmetics; whose chalked faces, unnaturally white, are like ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxxviii to marcella.htm

Was it for this He Sent Souls, that they which Shortly Before had ...
... of their purity; should entwine their necks with these, pierce the tips of their
ears, bind [3697] their foreheads with fillets, seek for cosmetics [3698] to ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/41 was it for this.htm

Cosmetics (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cosmetics (3 Occurrences). Esther 2:3 Let the ... of
the women. Let cosmetics be given them; (WEB NAS). Esther 2 ...
/c/cosmetics.htm - 7k

Women's (9 Occurrences)
... Let cosmetics be given them; (WEB BBE). Esther 2:9 The maiden pleased him,
and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her ...
/w/women's.htm - 9k

Treatments (3 Occurrences)
... Let cosmetics be given them; (See NIV). Esther 2:9 The maiden pleased him,
and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her ...
/t/treatments.htm - 7k

Beauty (98 Occurrences)
... Let cosmetics be given them; (See NIV). Esther 2:9 The maiden pleased him,
and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her ...
/b/beauty.htm - 45k

Harem (8 Occurrences)
... Hegai the king's eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be given them;
(See NAS RSV NIV). Esther 2:8 So it happened, when the ...
/h/harem.htm - 9k

Virgins (33 Occurrences)
... the king's eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be given them; (WEB
KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV). Esther 2:17 The king loved ...
/v/virgins.htm - 16k

Girls (27 Occurrences)
... custody of Hegai the king's eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be
given them; (See NIV). Esther 2:8 So when the order made by ...
/g/girls.htm - 14k

Maidens (40 Occurrences)
... He quickly gave her cosmetics and her portions of food, and the seven choice
maidens who were to be given her out of the king's house. ...
/m/maidens.htm - 18k

Commissioners (7 Occurrences)
... of Hegai the king's eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be given
them; (See NIV). Daniel 6:2 and over them three presidents ...
/c/commissioners.htm - 8k

Citadel (20 Occurrences)
... of Hegai the king's eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be given
them; (WEB NAS NIV). Esther 2:5 There was a certain Jew in ...
/c/citadel.htm - 13k

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