The concept of "ugly" in the Bible is not directly addressed with the specific term as understood in modern English. However, the Scriptures do provide insights into the idea of ugliness, particularly in relation to spiritual and moral conditions, as well as physical appearances that are deemed undesirable or repulsive.

Physical Appearance:

While the Bible does not frequently focus on physical ugliness, it does acknowledge the human tendency to judge by outward appearances. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord reminds Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This passage underscores the biblical principle that God values inner character over external beauty.

In the context of physical appearance, the account of Leah and Rachel in Genesis 29 provides an example. Leah is described as having "weak eyes," while Rachel is noted for her beauty. Despite Leah's perceived lack of attractiveness, God blesses her with children, highlighting His sovereign choice and the value He places on individuals beyond their physical traits.

Spiritual and Moral Ugliness:

The Bible often uses imagery of ugliness to describe sin and moral corruption. In Isaiah 64:6, the prophet declares, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." This metaphor of filth and uncleanness conveys the spiritual ugliness of sin in the eyes of a holy God.

The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing the transformation from spiritual ugliness to beauty through Christ. In Ephesians 2:1-5, Paul describes humanity's state of spiritual death and disobedience, but also the redemptive work of God: "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses."

Cultural and Historical Context:

In biblical times, physical deformities or diseases were often viewed as signs of divine disfavor or judgment. Leviticus 21:17-23 outlines restrictions for priests with physical defects, reflecting cultural attitudes towards physical imperfections. However, Jesus' ministry challenged these perceptions, as He healed those with leprosy and other ailments, demonstrating compassion and the breaking of societal barriers.

Symbolism and Imagery:

The Bible uses vivid imagery to depict the ugliness of idolatry and false worship. In Ezekiel 16, Jerusalem is portrayed as an unfaithful wife, engaging in spiritually adulterous practices. This graphic depiction serves as a warning against turning away from God and the resulting spiritual degradation.

Redemption and Transformation:

Ultimately, the Bible offers hope for transformation from ugliness to beauty through God's grace. Isaiah 61:3 speaks of God's promise "to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." This transformation is made possible through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who restores and beautifies the lives of those who turn to Him in faith.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly focus on the concept of ugliness, it addresses the deeper issues of spiritual and moral corruption, emphasizing God's concern for the heart and His power to transform lives through His grace and mercy.1. (superl.) Offensive to the sight; contrary to beauty; being of disagreeable or loathsome aspect; unsightly; repulsive; deformed.

2. (superl.) Ill-natured; crossgrained; quarrelsome; as, an ugly temper; to feel ugly.

3. (superl.) Unpleasant; disagreeable; likely to cause trouble or loss; as, an ugly rumor; an ugly customer.

4. (n.) A shade for the face, projecting from the bonnet.

5. (v. t.) To make ugly.

7451a. ra -- bad, evil
... 1), misfortune* (1), sad (4), selfish* (1), serious (1), severe (2), sore (2), threats*
(1), treacherous (1), trouble* (1), troubled (1), ugly (6), unpleasant ...
/hebrew/7451a.htm - 6k

The Ugly Princess
... THE UGLY PRINCESS. My parents bow, and lead them forth, For all the crowd to see"
Ah well! the people might not care To cheer a dwarf like me. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the ugly princess.htm

The Ugly Thread in the Weaving.
... 50) The Ugly Thread in the Weaving. Now for that ugly dark thread, the opposition
to, the rejection of, the Lover's wooing. But we'll not linger here. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the ugly thread in the.htm

Fifth Tractate. On Love.
... The vile and ugly is in clash, at once, with Nature and with God: Nature produces
by looking to the Good, for it looks towards Order " which has its being in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/plotinus/the six enneads/fifth tractate on love.htm

The Bible --The Background and the Picture.
... This book contains a record of many ugly, dark and wicked deeds, known in the lives
of wicked men and nations, with imperfections and apostacies of individuals ...
/.../the biblethe background and the.htm

A Tale About Words
... One was coarse and slovenly, with an ugly disposition, but because she resembled
her mother the woman loved her and thought her beautiful. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/a tale about words.htm

Why the Talent was Buried
... this man was compelled, even at the risk of increasing the indignation of the master,
to turn himself inside out, and to put into harsh, ugly words the half ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/why the talent was buried.htm

Yet Love Can Forbear
... What shall become of you therefore since God cannot be reconciled to an ugly
object? Verily you are in danger of perishing eternally. ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/30 yet love can forbear.htm

Terror by Night
... Corinthians, Ephesians, and the rest"dwelt in great cities, heathen and profligate;
and night in them was mixed up with all that was ugly, dangerous, and foul ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xvi terror by night.htm

Sixth Tractate. Beauty.
... But let the soul fall in with the Ugly and at once it shrinks within itself, denies
the thing, turns away from it, not accordant, resenting it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/plotinus/the six enneads/sixth tractate beauty.htm

Chapter xli
... And, lo, seven other cows were coming up after them from the Nile, ugly and skinny,
and took their place by the side of the first cows by the bank of the Nile. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xli.htm

Ugly (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Ill-natured; crossgrained; quarrelsome; as, an ugly temper;
to feel ugly. 3. (superl.) Unpleasant; disagreeable; likely ...
/u/ugly.htm - 8k

Gaunt (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:3 Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the river, ugly
and thin, and stood by the other cattle on the brink of the river. ...
/g/gaunt.htm - 8k

Thin (39 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:3 Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the river, ugly
and thin, and stood by the other cattle on the brink of the river. ...
/t/thin.htm - 19k

Ugliness (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality or state of being ugly.
Multi-Version Concordance Ugliness (1 Occurrence). Genesis 41:19 ...
/u/ugliness.htm - 6k

Woke (10 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 41:4 The ugly and thin cattle ate up the seven sleek
and fat cattle. So Pharaoh awoke. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/woke.htm - 9k

Awoke (20 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 41:4 The ugly and thin cattle ate up the seven sleek
and fat cattle. So Pharaoh awoke. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). ...
/a/awoke.htm - 12k

Fat (150 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 41:4 The ugly and thin
cattle ate up the seven sleek and fat cattle. So Pharaoh awoke. ...
/f/fat.htm - 44k

Cattle (277 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Genesis 41:3 Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the river,
ugly and thin, and stood by the other cattle on the brink of the river. ...
/c/cattle.htm - 52k

Ate (138 Occurrences)
... WBS). Genesis 41:4 The ugly and thin cattle ate up the seven sleek and fat
cattle. So Pharaoh awoke. (WEB DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Genesis ...
/a/ate.htm - 37k

Kick (8 Occurrences)
... Hence, figuratively: To show ugly resistance, opposition, or hostility; to
spurn. 3. (vi) To recoil; -- said of a musket, cannon, etc. ...
/k/kick.htm - 10k

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