The term "wellfavoured" appears in the Bible to describe individuals or objects that are pleasing in appearance or highly esteemed. This term is often used to denote physical beauty or attractiveness, but it can also imply a sense of favor or approval from God or others.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 29:17 : "Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful." In this passage, Rachel is described as "shapely and beautiful," which aligns with the concept of being wellfavoured. Rachel's physical attractiveness is highlighted in contrast to her sister Leah, indicating a preference and favor that Jacob, their husband, had for Rachel.

2. Genesis 39:6 : "So he left in Joseph’s care everything he owned; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome." Joseph is described as "well-built and handsome," which contributed to his being wellfavoured. His appearance played a role in the events that followed, particularly in the attention he received from Potiphar's wife.

3. Daniel 1:4 : "young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace." Here, the young men chosen to serve in the Babylonian king's palace are described as handsome and without physical defect, indicating that being wellfavoured was a criterion for their selection.

Theological Implications:

In the biblical context, being wellfavoured often carries implications beyond mere physical appearance. It can signify divine favor or blessing. For instance, Joseph's attractiveness is coupled with his integrity and God's favor, which ultimately leads to his rise in power in Egypt. Similarly, Daniel and his companions, though chosen for their appearance and intellect, are also recipients of God's favor, which enables them to excel in a foreign land.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, physical appearance was often associated with divine favor. Beauty and attractiveness were seen as blessings from the gods, and individuals who were wellfavoured were often given positions of prominence and influence. This cultural backdrop helps to explain why biblical narratives sometimes emphasize the physical attributes of key figures.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

While the Bible acknowledges physical beauty, it also warns against valuing it above character and godliness. Proverbs 31:30 states, "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." This verse underscores the biblical principle that inner beauty and a reverent relationship with God are of greater value than outward appearance.

Conclusion:

The concept of being wellfavoured in the Bible serves as a reminder of the balance between appreciating God's creation in physical beauty and recognizing the superior importance of spiritual and moral qualities.

Chapter xli
... were approaching, this announcement could hardly have been made plainer in the language
of dreams than by showing to Pharaoh seven wellfavoured kine coming up ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xli.htm

Wellfavoured (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wellfavoured (1 Occurrence). Nahum 3:4 Because
of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot ...
/w/wellfavoured.htm - 6k

Well-favored (7 Occurrences)
Well-favored. Welleth, Well-favored. Wellfavoured . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(ASV WBS). Welleth, Well-favored. Wellfavoured . Reference Bible.
/w/well-favored.htm - 8k

Well-favoured (4 Occurrences)
Well-favoured. Wellfavoured, Well-favoured. Well-fed . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See JPS DBY). Wellfavoured, Well-favoured. Well-fed . Reference Bible
/w/well-favoured.htm - 7k

Selleth (17 Occurrences)
... Nahum 3:4 Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot,
the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and ...
/s/selleth.htm - 11k

Whoredoms (34 Occurrences)
... Nahum 3:4 Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot,
the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and ...
/w/whoredoms.htm - 17k

Harlot (87 Occurrences)
... Nahum 3:4 Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot,
the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and ...
/h/harlot.htm - 46k

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