The term "garnished" in the Bible typically refers to something that is adorned, decorated, or embellished. This concept is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures, often to describe the beautification or preparation of a place or object.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the idea of garnishing is often associated with the adornment of sacred spaces. For example, the construction and decoration of the Tabernacle and the Temple involved detailed craftsmanship and the use of precious materials to create a space worthy of God's presence. Although the specific term "garnished" may not appear frequently in the Old Testament, the concept is evident in the descriptions of these holy places.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the term "garnished" is used in a more metaphorical sense. One notable instance is found in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus uses the term in a parable to describe the state of a person who has been cleansed of an evil spirit but fails to fill their life with righteousness:

"When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order" (Matthew 12:43-44).

Here, "put in order" can be understood as "garnished," indicating that the house (representing the person's life) is outwardly prepared and adorned but remains spiritually empty, making it vulnerable to further spiritual attack.

Symbolic Meaning

The concept of garnishing in the Bible often carries a deeper symbolic meaning. It can represent the outward appearance of righteousness or holiness that lacks true spiritual substance. Jesus frequently criticized the Pharisees and religious leaders for their focus on external appearances while neglecting the weightier matters of the law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23-28).

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the idea of being "garnished" without true spiritual transformation serves as a warning against superficial religiosity. It emphasizes the importance of inner renewal and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as the true source of spiritual beauty and strength. The Bible encourages believers to focus on the inward adornment of the heart, characterized by a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God's sight (1 Peter 3:3-4).

In summary, while the term "garnished" may refer to physical adornment, its biblical usage often points to the necessity of genuine spiritual renewal and the dangers of relying solely on external appearances.(imp. & p. p.) of Garnish.

From St. Paul's Analogy of the Seed we Learn that the Body which ...
... Chapter LII."From St. Paul's Analogy of the Seed We Learn that the Body Which Died
Will Rise Again, Garnished with the Appliances of Eternal Life. ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter lii from st pauls analogy.htm

Luke xi. 25
... 25. LUKE xi.25. When he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. ... The house which
was empty, swept and garnished, was especially one empty of the love of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xv luke xi 25.htm

Of the Question as to the Manner of Matthew's Agreement with Luke ...
... and of the Ninevites, and of the Queen of the South, and of the Unclean Spirit Which,
When It Has Gone Out of the Man, Returns and Finds the House Garnished. ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxxix of the question as.htm

The Power of the Holy Ghost
... This you will see at once by referring to the sacred Scriptures, Job 26, 13th verse,
"By his Spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the power of the holy.htm

Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
... into { ^c turn back unto} my house [he still claimed it as his property] whence
I came out.25 And when he is come, he findeth it ^a empty, swept, and garnished ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlix sign seekers and the.htm

The Old and New Testaments have Many Things in Common -- Far More ...
... Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when
he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the old and new testaments.htm

The First Per??an Discourses - to the Pharisees Concerning the Two ...
... And then the house had been swept of all the foulness and uncleanness of idolatry,
and garnished with all manner of Pharisaic adornments. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the first peraean.htm

The Indwelling Christ
... mistake which Christ pointed out when He told us that when the unclean spirit is
gone out of a man he leaves his house empty, though it be swept and garnished. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the indwelling christ.htm

Introduction.
... "Thou shalt not" is quite easy to say; but though the house be emptied, swept, and
garnished, unless pure angels hasten to occupy the vacated chambers, other ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/introduction.htm

The Parable of the Tares, by Bishop Latimer, Preached on the 7Th ...
... For when the devil cometh, and findeth the heart of man not weaponed nor garnished
with the word of God, he forthwith possesses the same, and so getteth ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /the parable of the tares.htm

Garnished (4 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Garnish. Multi-Version Concordance Garnished (4 Occurrences). ... (KJV
ASV WBS). Luke 11:25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. ...
/g/garnished.htm - 7k

Garnish (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To surround with additions; to adorn; to embellish. 2. (vt) To ornament,
as a dish, with something laid about it; as, a dish garnished with parsley. ...
/g/garnish.htm - 9k

Findeth (66 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Matthew 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence
I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. ...
/f/findeth.htm - 26k

Garrison (15 Occurrences)

/g/garrison.htm - 13k

Gliding (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gliding (4 Occurrences). Job 26:13 By his Spirit the heavens
are garnished. His hand has pierced the swift serpent. (See NIV). ...
/g/gliding.htm - 7k

Whence (84 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out;
and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. ...
/w/whence.htm - 32k

Parvaim (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Parvaim (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 3:6 He garnished
the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim. ...
/p/parvaim.htm - 7k

Parva'im (1 Occurrence)
... Parva'im (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 3:6 And he garnished the house with precious
stones for beauty; and the gold was gold of Parvaim. (See RSV). ...
/p/parva'im.htm - 6k

Crooked (31 Occurrences)
... shrewd. (WEB JPS RSV NIV). Job 26:13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens;
his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. (KJV WBS). ...
/c/crooked.htm - 17k

Cleared (17 Occurrences)
... brook Kidron. (See NIV). Job 26:13 By his Spirit the heavens are garnished.
His hand has pierced the swift serpent. (See NAS). Job ...
/c/cleared.htm - 11k

Garnished: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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