The term "ill-favoured" appears in the Bible to describe something or someone that is unattractive or lacking in beauty. This term is often used in a metaphorical sense to convey deeper spiritual or moral truths. In the Berean Standard Bible, the term is notably used in the context of dreams and visions, particularly in the account of Joseph.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 41:3-4 : "After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside the well-fed ones on the bank of the river. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt devoured the seven well-fed cows that were healthy. Then Pharaoh woke up." In this passage, the "ugly and gaunt" cows are described as "ill-favoured" in other translations. This dream, interpreted by Joseph, foretells seven years of famine following seven years of abundance in Egypt. The ill-favoured cows symbolize the severity and harshness of the coming famine.

2. Genesis 41:19-21 : "After them, seven other cows came up—sickly, ugly, and gaunt. I have never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first. When they had devoured them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I awoke." Here, the repetition of the ill-favoured cows emphasizes the impending disaster and the inability of the prosperous years to mitigate the effects of the famine.

Theological Implications:

The use of "ill-favoured" in these passages serves as a vivid illustration of the consequences of sin and disobedience. In a broader theological context, the term can be seen as a representation of spiritual decay and moral corruption. Just as the ill-favoured cows devour the healthy ones, sin and moral failings can consume the good and prosperous aspects of life if left unchecked.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:

The narrative of the ill-favoured cows in Pharaoh's dream underscores the importance of spiritual vigilance and preparedness. It serves as a reminder that external appearances can be deceiving, and what may seem prosperous and secure can quickly become desolate and barren without God's guidance and provision. The account encourages believers to seek divine wisdom and to remain steadfast in faith, trusting in God's plan even in times of adversity.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, dreams were often considered significant and were believed to convey messages from the divine. The imagery of cows, a vital part of Egyptian agriculture and economy, would have been particularly poignant to Pharaoh and his court. The stark contrast between the well-favoured and ill-favoured cows would have highlighted the drastic shift from abundance to scarcity, a theme that resonates with the cyclical nature of agricultural societies dependent on the Nile's flooding.

In summary, the term "ill-favoured" in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual and moral lessons, emphasizing the need for discernment, faithfulness, and reliance on God's wisdom in navigating the challenges of life.7451. ra' -- bad, evil
... displease(-ure), distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X
great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), + mark, mischief ...
/hebrew/7451.htm - 6k

Joseph and his Brethren
... And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured
and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

To the Preceding Remarks He Adds the Following: "Since a Divine ...
... should not differ from others; whereas this person did not differ in any respect
from another, but was, as they report, little, and ill-favoured, and ignoble ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxv to the preceding.htm

Epistle Liv. Here Follows the Epistle of Saint Licinianus, Bishop ...
... I would not have thee liken thyself to an ill-favoured painter painting fair things,
seeing that spiritual teaching issues from a spiritual soul. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle liv here follows the.htm

About the Demon that Dwelt in the Woman.
... O the shamelessness of the enemy! O the sorcerer that is never at rest! O the
ill-favoured one, bring to subjection the well-favoured! O the many-formed one! ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/about the demon that dwelt.htm

Sorrow the Pledge of Joy.
... He congratulates him on his sadness. Grief is an ill-favoured thing, but
she is Love's own child, and her mother loves her. The ...
/.../macdonald/hope of the gospel/sorrow the pledge of joy.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
... of mind, a distrust in God's help, and diffidence in all good means to compass our
designs; begetting deception and error, a foul and ill-favoured brood: lying ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part 2.htm

On the Arrival of the Egyptians.
... call ours also; who by his surpassing wisdom was able both to foresee the famine
and to cure it by decrees of government, healing the ill-favoured and starving ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxiv on the arrival.htm

How Bishop John Cured a Dumb Man by his Blessing. [687 AD ]
... Thus the youth became fair of countenance, ready of speech, with hair curling in
comely fashion, whereas before he had been ill-favoured, miserable, and dumb. ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap ii how bishop john.htm

It is not Certain Then that all Wish to be Happy...
... Thus, thus, yea thus doth the mind of man, thus blind and sick, foul and ill-favoured,
wish to be hidden, but that aught should be hidden from it, it wills not ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxiii it is not.htm

Adonijah
... The ill-favoured lad, who is the butt at school and the scapegoat at home, is in
serious danger of becoming bitter and revengeful, and of growing crooked in ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/adonijah.htm

Ill-favoured (4 Occurrences)
Ill-favoured. Ill-favored, Ill-favoured. Ill-formed . Multi-Version
Concordance Ill-favoured (4 Occurrences). Genesis ...
/i/ill-favoured.htm - 7k

Ill-favored (5 Occurrences)
Ill-favored. Illfavored, Ill-favored. Ill-favoured . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
So I awoke. (ASV WBS). Illfavored, Ill-favored. Ill-favoured . Reference ...
/i/ill-favored.htm - 8k

Ill-formed (1 Occurrence)
Ill-formed. Ill-favoured, Ill-formed. Ill-founded . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY). Ill-favoured, Ill-formed. Ill-founded . Reference Bible.
/i/ill-formed.htm - 6k

Riverbank (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 41:3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river,
illfavoured and lean-fleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of ...
/r/riverbank.htm - 6k

Afterward (113 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:27 And the seven lean and ill-favoured kine that came up after them are
seven years, and also the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind; they ...
/a/afterward.htm - 38k

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