Beauty as a Gift and a Call to Goodness

Abstract

The study delves into terminologies associated with beauty within biblical contexts. Drawing from Dyrness’s examination of “Aesthetics in the Old Testament” the focus is primarily on seven Hebrew word groups to understand the multifaceted nuances of beauty. The exploration further extends to two foundational Hebrew terms, kābôd and tôḇ, essential for grasping the essence of beauty in the Old Testament. Additionally, three Greek terms from the Septuagint—agathós, kalós, and chresós—are explored, bridging the understanding between the deuterocanonical books, the New Testament, and their Hebrew counterparts. It has highlighted that understanding the biblical concept of beauty surpasses mere terminological exploration. Illustratively, the narratives of Judith and Esther are examined to demonstrate how their beauty played a strategic role in the welfare and salvation of the people.

Keywords

• beauty
• <i>tôḇ</i> (“good”)
• <i>kāḇôḏ</i> (“glory”)
• <i>yāpâ</i> (“beautiful”)
• <i>agathós</i> (“good”)
• <i>kalós</i> (“beautiful”)