Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5861 favour, human

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5861 favour, human

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5859 favour » 5861 favour, human

Looking kindly upon someone or treating someone with special regard. Favour can be gained by means of good character, gifts, service or through the intervention of God. Scripture warns against undue favouritism.

Examples of those who were regarded with favour by others

OT characters

1 Samuel 2:26 Samuel

David:

1 Samuel 16:18,21-22; Samuel 18:6-7; Samuel 20:3

Esther:

Esther 2:15,17 Daniel 1:9 Daniel

Jesus Christ

Luke 2:52

The first Christians

See also Acts 2:47; Romans 14:18

Finding favour can lead to being treated with special regard

Ruth 2:13-16 See also Proverbs 16:15; Proverbs 19:12

Being held in favour can create an opportunity for a request to be made

Nehemiah 2:5 See also Genesis 30:27; Genesis 47:29-30; Genesis 50:4-6; Numbers 32:5; Ruth 2:2; 1 Samuel 20:28-29; Samuel 27:5; Esther 7:3; Esther 8:5

Finding favour with others

Through good character

Proverbs 3:3-4 See also Proverbs 13:15; Proverbs 28:23; Ecclesiastes 9:11; Phm 14

Through the giving of gifts

Genesis 32:5; Genesis 33:8-11,15; Genesis 34:11-12; Psalm 45:12; Proverbs 19:6; Ezekiel 16:33-34

Through service rendered

Genesis 39:3-4 See also 2 Samuel 14:19-22; Ephesians 6:6 pp Colossians 3:22

Through the intervention of God

Genesis 39:21; Exodus 3:21; Exodus 11:3; Exodus 12:36; Nehemiah 1:11

Warnings against favouritism

Leviticus 19:15; 1 Timothy 5:21 See also Exodus 23:3; Deuteronomy 1:17; Job 13:10; Proverbs 24:23-25; Malachi 2:9; James 2:1-4,9