In the biblical context, decoration refers to the adornment and embellishment of objects, places, or people, often for the purpose of honoring God, celebrating significant events, or enhancing beauty. The concept of decoration is evident throughout the Scriptures, from the intricate designs of the Tabernacle and Temple to the adornment of individuals for special occasions.

Old Testament

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of decoration, particularly in the context of worship and the construction of sacred spaces. In Exodus, God provides detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the use of precious materials and skilled craftsmanship. Exodus 31:3-5 states, "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft."

The Tabernacle's design included gold, silver, and bronze, as well as fine linens and colorful yarns, symbolizing the beauty and holiness of God's dwelling place among His people. Similarly, the Temple built by Solomon was richly decorated, as described in 1 Kings 6:29 : "And he carved all the walls around the temple, in both the inner and outer sanctuaries, with carved cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers."

Decoration also played a role in the attire of the priests, who wore garments made of fine linen and adorned with precious stones, as outlined in Exodus 28. These garments were not only functional but also symbolic, representing the glory and beauty of serving in the presence of God.

New Testament

In the New Testament, decoration is less focused on physical structures and more on the adornment of the inner self. The Apostle Peter advises women in 1 Peter 3:3-4 , "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight."

While the New Testament does not emphasize physical decoration in the same way as the Old Testament, it does acknowledge the importance of beauty and adornment in a spiritual sense. The Church, as the bride of Christ, is described in Revelation 21:2 as "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband," highlighting the spiritual beauty and purity of the Church.

Cultural and Historical Context

In biblical times, decoration was often associated with celebration and honor. For example, in the Book of Esther, Mordecai is honored with royal garments and a crown (Esther 6:8-11), symbolizing his elevated status and the king's favor. Similarly, in the Song of Solomon, the beauty and adornment of the bride are celebrated, reflecting the joy and love of marriage.

Decoration also served as a means of expressing wealth and status. In ancient Israel, homes and public buildings might be adorned with carvings, tapestries, and other decorative elements, reflecting the prosperity and cultural values of the time.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, decoration in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths. The physical beauty of the Tabernacle and Temple points to the holiness and majesty of God. The adornment of the priests signifies the honor and responsibility of serving in God's presence. In the New Testament, the emphasis on inner beauty and spiritual adornment underscores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.

Overall, decoration in the Bible is not merely about external appearance but is deeply connected to worship, honor, and the reflection of God's glory.1. (n.) The act of adorning, embellishing, or honoring; ornamentation.

2. (n.) That which adorns, enriches, or beautifies; something added by way of embellishment; ornament.

3. (n.) Specifically, any mark of honor to be worn upon the person, as a medal, cross, or ribbon of an order of knighthood, bestowed for services in war, great achievements in literature, art, etc.

2889. kosmos -- order, the world
... Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, ie Decoration; by implication,
the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2889.htm - 7k1927. hadarah -- adornment, glory
... beauty, honor Feminine of hadar; decoration -- beauty, honour. see HEBREW
hadar. 1926, 1927. hadarah. 1927a . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1927.htm - 5k

Description of the Walls, Roof, Decoration, and Gilding of the ...
... Book III. Chapter XXXVI."Description of the Walls, Roof, Decoration, and
Gilding of the Body of the Church. For at the side opposite ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxxvi description of the walls.htm

List of Books for Reference
... "Handbook of Heraldry." Cussan. "Church Decoration." French. "Church Decoration."
Frederick Warne & Co., London. "Folk-Lore of Plants." Dyer. ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/list of books for reference.htm

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
... conqueror. The name of one man only has been handed down the ages as having
specially signalised himself in the decoration of the temple. ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/hiram the inspired artificer.htm

Crossing the Hellespont.
... and trappings, it is true, of such troops as were in immediate attendance on the
king, were very splendid and gay, though this was only decoration, after all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter v crossing the hellespont.htm

The Older Boys' Conference or Congress
... 1. Publicity, Delegate and Registration. 2. Meeting Place and Decoration. ... 2. Meeting
Place and Decoration Committee: The duties of this committee are obvious. ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xiii the older boys conference.htm

Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments.
... has ornament of gold maddened other women to vicious practices, using as a bait
the form of the serpent, and by fashioning lampreys and serpents for decoration ...
/.../the instructor paedagogus/chapter xiiiagainst excessive fondness for.htm

History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 2
... The cemeteries of Gizeh and Saqqara: the Great Sphinx; the mastabas, their chapel
and its decoration, the statues of the double, the sepulchral vault ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 2/title page.htm

History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8
... of Khalule (692 BC), siege and destruction of Babylon (689 BC) -- Buildings of
Sennacherib at Nineveh: his palace at Kouyunjik; its decoration with battle ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 8/title page.htm

Introduction.
... sublime. Poetry loses its lustre and its power, because it is applied to
the decoration of something more excellent than itself. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/introduction.htm

A Diet of Public Worship in the Time of Knox.
... The narrowness which would forbid beauty and artistic decoration and the pride which
would sacrifice comfort and convenience for the sake of appearance, were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter iv a diet of.htm

Decoration (1 Occurrence)
... war, great achievements in literature, art, etc. Multi-Version Concordance
Decoration (1 Occurrence). 1 Peter 3:3 Let your beauty ...
/d/decoration.htm - 7k

Crown (94 Occurrences)
... cents. 24. (n.) An ornaments or decoration representing a crown; as, the paper
is stamped with a crown. 25. ... remuneration. (1) Decoration. ...
/c/crown.htm - 58k

Finery (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Elaborate or ornamental clothing and accessories. 2. (n.) Ornament; decoration;
especially, excecially decoration; showy clothes; jewels. ...
/f/finery.htm - 7k

Architecture
... A liking for mural decoration existed throughout the whole Jewish period, as is
seen from the small fragments of painted plaster discovered in the various ...
/a/architecture.htm - 28k

Crafts (2 Occurrences)
... read the law from a pulpit of wood (Nehemiah 8:4). Solomon's chariots were made
of wood (Songs 3:9). Inlaid work, still a favorite form of decoration in Syria ...
/c/crafts.htm - 30k

Vision (106 Occurrences)
... Thus Isaiah's vision of the seraphim (Isaiah 6:2) was doubtless suggested by familiar
figures used in the decoration of the temple at Jerusalem; Paul's "man of ...
/v/vision.htm - 45k

Urim (8 Occurrences)
... (n.) A part or decoration of the breastplate of the high priest among the ancient
Jews, by which Jehovah revealed his will on certain occasions. ...
/u/urim.htm - 21k

Ornament (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) That which embellishes or adorns; that which
adds grace or beauty; embellishment; decoration; adornment. ...
/o/ornament.htm - 17k

Garnish (1 Occurrence)
... See Garnishee, vt. 6. (n.) Something added for embellishment; decoration; ornament;
also, dress; garments, especially such as are showy or decorated. ...
/g/garnish.htm - 9k

Water (4571 Occurrences)
... Hence, of the first water, that is, of the first excellence. 6. (n.) A wavy, lustrous
pattern or decoration such as is imparted to linen, silk, metals, etc. ...
/w/water.htm - 23k

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