The concept of beauty in the Old Testament, particularly as understood by conservative Jewish and Christian scholars, reflects a holistic view deeply rooted in God’s nature, creation, and redemptive purposes. The term “glory” (from the Hebrew “kabod” and the Greek “doxa”) encapsulates the idea of divine beauty.

Below are key elements of how the Hebrew Scriptures define beauty.

Beauty as a Reflection of God’s Character

Conservative Jewish and Christian scholars agree that beauty originates from God, who is the ultimate source of all that is good, true, and beautiful. Beauty is not merely aesthetic but a reflection of God’s perfection, order, and glory. Passages such as Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask from the Lord … that I may gaze on the beauty of the Lord,” show that God’s beauty is moral, spiritual, and transcendent. His holiness, righteousness, and majesty embody beauty in its purest form.

Creation as a Manifestation of God’s Beauty

In Genesis 1, after bringing order out of chaos, God repeatedly declares creation “good,” culminating in humanity as “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

This goodness encompasses both functionality and aesthetic delight. Genesis 2:9 says, “And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.”

From the splendor of the heavens (Psalm 19:1) to the intricate details of flowers and animals, creation manifests God’s beauty. Isaiah 40:26 highlights the grandeur of creation as a testimony to God’s power and creativity, a view both Jewish and Christian scholars share.

“Lift up your eyes on high and see:

who created these?

He who brings out their host by number,

calling them all by name;

by the greatness of his might

and because he is strong in power,

not one is missing.”

For conservative Jewish thought, the beauty of creation is tied to the Torah, as God’s commandments are seen as a “tree of life” (Proverbs 3:17-18), nourishing and harmonizing the world. Christian scholars similarly see creation’s beauty as a reflection of Christ’s sustaining work (Colossians 1:16-17).

Beauty in Worship and Sacred Spaces

The Tabernacle and the Temple are central examples of God-ordained beauty in the Old Testament. God’s instructions for their construction in Exodus 25-31 are filled with details about gold, precious stones, fine linen, and artistic designs, symbolizing His majesty and holiness. The beauty of these sacred spaces was not for human vanity but to glorify God and provide a fitting dwelling for His presence. Scholars often emphasize the connection between the Temple’s beauty and the Shekinah (God’s dwelling presence), seeing it as a microcosm of the divine order. Even Aaron’s garments reflected glory and beauty.

Exodus 28:2 says, “And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.”

Christian scholars see the Temple’s beauty as typological, pointing to the ultimate beauty of Christ as the fulfillment of God’s dwelling with humanity (John 1:14, Revelation 1:13-16).

Beauty as Moral and Spiritual Excellence

In the Old Testament, beauty is frequently tied to moral and spiritual attributes. For example, Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” This suggests that true beauty transcends physical appearance and is found in godly character. Similarly, the Psalms often describe God’s laws and statutes as perfect (Psalm 19:7-10), emphasizing that moral excellence is integral to the biblical understanding of beauty.

Woman beauty. Young woman in front of mirror in make-up room.

Beauty in Human Beings as Image-Bearers of God

Genesis 1:27 declares that humans are made in God’s image, which conservative Jewish scholars interpret as a reflection of God’s attributes, including creativity, intelligence, and relationality. Christian scholars expand this view by emphasizing Christ’s incarnational aspect as the perfect image of God (Colossians 1:15).

Physical beauty is acknowledged in Scripture but is always secondary to spiritual beauty. For instance, characters like Rachel (Genesis 29:17) and Esther (Esther 2:7) are noted for their physical attractiveness, but their narratives emphasize how God’s purposes transcend mere appearance.

Beauty in Holiness

The phrase “worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2; 96:9) encapsulates the Old Testament’s view of beauty as inseparable from holiness. For conservative Jewish scholars, this means living a life aligned with the Torah, which reveals God’s will and brings harmony to creation. For Christian scholars, holiness finds its fulfillment in Christ, whose life and sacrificial death embody the beauty of perfect obedience and love.

Beauty as a Foreshadowing of Redemption

The Old Testament often uses beauty to symbolize redemption and restoration. Isaiah 61:3 speaks of giving “a crown of beauty instead of ashes,” pointing to God’s transformative power. Scholars view this as a promise of Israel’s future restoration under God’s rule, while Christian scholars interpret it as a foretaste of Christ’s redemptive work, which restores humanity and creation to their intended beauty.

The Balance of Beauty and Danger

The Old Testament also recognizes the potential misuse of beauty. Ezekiel 28:12-17 describes the fall of the king of Tyre, whose beauty led to pride and corruption. Similarly, in Genesis 3, the fruit’s visual appeal tempts Eve to disobey God. In Genesis 6, many scholars believe angels were tempted to sin by the beauty of the daughters of men. Both Jewish and Christian scholars caution against idolizing beauty, emphasizing that it must always point back to God rather than becoming an end in itself.

Beauty in Eschatological Hope

Prophecies like Isaiah 35:1-2 describe the eschatological renewal of creation in terms of beauty: “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus.” Conservative scholars see this as a vision of the Messianic age when God’s presence will restore the world’s harmony. Christian scholars view this as the ultimate fulfillment in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4), where God’s beauty will be fully revealed and shared with His people.

Beauty as a Call to Stewardship and Creativity

Finally, the Old Testament’s depiction of beauty calls humanity to stewardship and creativity. God commissions humanity to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28), including cultivating its beauty. Conservative Jewish scholars highlight this responsibility in terms of fulfilling the mitzvot (commandments), which bring order and flourishing to creation. Christian scholars see this as part of humanity’s role as co-creators with God, empowered by the Spirit to reflect His beauty in art, culture, and daily life.

Dr. Joseph Mattera is an internationally known author, consultant, and theologian whose mission is to influence leaders who influence culture. He is the founding pastor of Resurrection Church, and leads several organizations, including The U.S. Coalition of Apostolic Leaders and Christ Covenant Coalition. He also is the author of 13 bestselling books, including his latest The Global Apostolic Movement and the Progress of the Gospel, and is renowned for applying Scripture to contemporary culture.