Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, November 21st, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
Bible Encyclopedias
Fair
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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fâr : The word translated in the King James Version from 9 Hebrew and 4 Greek expressions has nowhere in the Bible the modern sense of "blond," "fair-skinned." The translation of Isaiah 54:11 , "fair colors," refers to the cosmetic use of פוּך , pūkh , stibium, antimony powder, with which black margins were painted around the eyelids, so as to make the eyes appear large and dark. The stones of rebuilt Jerusalem, beautifully laid in their black mortar, are compared with such eyes. We can distinguish the following varieties of meaning: (1) Beautiful, attractive, טוב , ṭōbh , יפה , yāphāh , יפה , yāpheh ; Aramaic שׁפיר , shappı̄r ; Septuagint καλός , kalós ; in the New Testament ἀστεῖος , asteı́os ̌ . This latter word is in both places where it is found used of Moses (Acts 7:20; Hebrews 11:23 , the Revised Version (British and American) "goodly"), and means literally, town bred (as opposed to boorish), polite, polished in manners, urbane, then nice, pretty. (2) Pure, free of defilement, the Revised Version (British and American) "clean," טהור , ṭāhōr (Zechariah 3:5 ). (3) "Fair speech," plausible, persuasive (לקח , leḳah , Proverbs 7:21; εὔλαλος , eúlalos , Sirach 6:5; compare εὐλογία , eulogı́a , Romans 16:18 ). (4) Making a fine display (εὐπροσωπεῖν , euprosōpeı́n , Galatians 6:12 , "to make a fair show"). (5) Good (of weather) (זהב , zāhābh , "golden," "clear," Job 37:2 , Job 37:2 , the Revised Version (British and American) "golden splendor"); εὐδία , eudı́a (Matthew 16:2 ).
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Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Fair'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/f/fair.html. 1915.
