Ornamenting in the biblical context refers to the act of adorning or decorating, often with the use of jewelry, clothing, or other embellishments. This practice is mentioned in various passages throughout the Bible, reflecting both cultural customs and spiritual teachings.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, ornamentation is frequently associated with expressions of wealth, status, and beauty. For instance, in Genesis 24:22, Abraham's servant gives Rebekah a gold nose ring and bracelets as a sign of her selection as Isaac's bride: "When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold." This act of giving jewelry signifies honor and value.

The Israelites also used ornaments in religious contexts. In Exodus 28, God commands Moses to make sacred garments for Aaron, the high priest, for glory and beauty. These garments included a breastplate, ephod, robe, and a turban, all adorned with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and fine linen. Such ornamentation was intended to reflect the holiness and splendor of God.

However, ornamentation could also be a source of idolatry and pride. In Exodus 32, the Israelites use their gold jewelry to create the golden calf, an act of rebellion against God. As a result, God commands them to remove their ornaments as a sign of repentance: "Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you" (Exodus 33:5).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from external adornment to inner beauty and character. 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 spiritual virtues over physical appearance.

Similarly, the Apostle Paul instructs women in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 to dress modestly and with decency, "not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." Here, the emphasis is on modesty and good works as true adornments for believers.

Symbolic and Spiritual Significance

Ornamentation in the Bible often carries symbolic meanings. In Isaiah 61:10, the prophet rejoices in the Lord, saying, "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." This imagery portrays salvation and righteousness as divine adornments bestowed by God.

The Book of Revelation also uses the imagery of ornamentation to describe the New Jerusalem, adorned as a bride for her husband (Revelation 21:2). This symbolizes the beauty and purity of the Church, prepared for Christ.

Cultural and Historical Considerations

In biblical times, ornamentation was a common practice across various cultures in the Ancient Near East. Jewelry, fine clothing, and other adornments were often used to signify social status, wealth, and identity. However, the biblical narrative consistently calls believers to prioritize spiritual adornment over physical appearance, reflecting a heart devoted to God.

Throughout Scripture, ornamentation serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths, reminding believers of the importance of inner beauty, righteousness, and a life dedicated to God’s glory.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Ornament.

Hear, O God. ...
... my God, who gavest life to this my infancy, furnishing thus with senses (as we see)
the frame Thou gavest, compacting its limbs, ornamenting its proportions ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vii hear o god .htm

July the Thirtieth Sin as Poison
... And this is the familiar teaching, that sin is a serpent. It possesses a deadly
poison. We may give it pleasant names, but we are only ornamenting death. ...
/.../jowett/my daily meditation for the circling year/july the thirtieth sin as.htm

To what the Soul May be Compared which is a Prey to the Attacks of ...
... commercial value or good use to which it can be put; and in the same way [954] the
wood that is worm-eaten is no longer worth anything for ornamenting even an ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iii to what the.htm

Introduction
... to the convent, singing, reading, playing the organ, saying the mass, praying matins,
vespers, and other hours, founding and ornamenting churches, altars ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/introduction.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... A certain Mrs. Cotton, who had largely contributed to whitewashing and otherwise
ornamenting the church, had taken it into her head that the soul of a ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

Abraham's Faith
... There are times for ornamenting the house, there are times for repairing the wall,
there are times, too, for thoroughly examining the foundation, because, if ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xii abrahams faith.htm

Ignorance of Evil.
... away and cleansing out of the corruption which sin has bred within us, but a smoothing
it over, an outside delicacy and polish, an ornamenting the surface of ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xviii ignorance of evil.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Ornamenting (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ornamenting (1 Occurrence). Exodus 35:33 Trained in the
cutting of stones and the ornamenting of wood and in every sort of handwork. ...
/o/ornamenting.htm - 6k

Ornamented (14 Occurrences)

/o/ornamented.htm - 10k

Ornaments (50 Occurrences)

/o/ornaments.htm - 22k

Trained (37 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 35:33 Trained in the cutting
of stones and the ornamenting of wood and in every sort of handwork. (BBE). ...
/t/trained.htm - 19k

Rug (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A piece of thick, nappy fabric, commonly made of wool, -- used for various
purposes, as for covering and ornamenting part of a bare floor, for hanging ...
/r/rug.htm - 7k

Chasing (12 Occurrences)
... n.) of Chase. 2. (n.) The art of ornamenting metal by means of chasing tools; also,
a piece of ornamental work produced in this way. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/c/chasing.htm - 10k

Handwork (2 Occurrences)
... of handwork, (BBE). Exodus 35:33 Trained in the cutting of stones and the
ornamenting of wood and in every sort of handwork. (BBE). ...
/h/handwork.htm - 6k

Sort (143 Occurrences)
... sort; (BBE). Exodus 35:33 Trained in the cutting of stones and the ornamenting
of wood and in every sort of handwork. (BBE). Exodus ...
/s/sort.htm - 36k

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