The term "sleek" in the Bible often conveys the idea of smoothness, prosperity, or a polished appearance, sometimes with a negative connotation of superficiality or deceit. In the context of Scripture, it can describe both physical appearance and moral character.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Physical Appearance: The word "sleek" is used to describe a smooth or polished appearance, often associated with prosperity or well-being. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a sleek appearance could indicate health and abundance. For example, in Genesis 41:2, Pharaoh's dream includes "sleek and fat cows" , symbolizing years of plenty and prosperity.

2. Moral and Spiritual Implications: Beyond physical appearance, "sleek" can also imply a sense of deceit or superficiality. In Jeremiah 5:28, the prophet describes the people as "sleek and fat," indicating their indulgence and moral corruption: "They have grown sleek and fat; their evil deeds have no limit. They do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it; they do not defend the rights of the poor" . Here, "sleek" suggests a complacency and self-satisfaction that blinds them to justice and righteousness.

3. Symbol of False Security: The sleekness of the wicked is often portrayed as a false security. In Psalm 73:7, the psalmist observes the prosperity of the wicked: "Their eyes bulge with abundance; they have more than their heart could wish" . This abundance and sleekness are temporary and deceptive, as the psalmist later realizes the ultimate fate of the wicked.

4. Contrast with Godly Character: The Bible contrasts the sleekness of the wicked with the humility and righteousness expected of God's people. While the sleek may appear prosperous, true prosperity is found in a life aligned with God's will. The righteous are called to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).

Theological Reflection

In biblical theology, the concept of sleekness serves as a reminder of the dangers of superficial prosperity and the importance of inner righteousness. It challenges believers to look beyond outward appearances and to cultivate a heart that seeks after God's truth and justice. The sleekness of the wicked is ultimately fleeting, while the character of the righteous endures.1. (superl.) Having an even, smooth surface; smooth; hence, glossy; as, sleek hair.

2. (superl.) Not rough or harsh.

3. (adv.) With ease and dexterity.

4. (n.) That which makes smooth; varnish.

5. (v. t.) To make even and smooth; to render smooth, soft, and glossy; to smooth over.

6245a. ashath -- to be smooth or shiny
... to be smooth or shiny. Transliteration: ashath Short Definition: sleek. Word Origin
a prim. root Definition to be smooth or shiny NASB Word Usage sleek (1). ...
/hebrew/6245a.htm - 5k

3780. kasah -- to be sated or gorged (with food)
... 3779, 3780. kasah. 3781 . to be sated or gorged (with food). Transliteration:
kasah Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-saw') Short Definition: sleek. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/3780.htm - 6k

3303. yapheh -- fair, beautiful
... Origin from yaphah Definition fair, beautiful NASB Word Usage appropriate (1),
beautiful (28), beautiful one (2), fair (1), fitting (1), handsome (4), sleek (3 ...
/hebrew/3303.htm - 6k

6245. ashath -- to be smooth or shiny
... A primitive root; probably to be sleek, ie Glossy; hence (through the idea of polishing)
to excogitate (as if forming in the mind) -- shine, think. ...
/hebrew/6245.htm - 5k

It was Friday Night, and Diamond, Like the Rest of the Household.. ...
... "There's no harm in being fat," said Ruby in a deprecating tone. "No, nor in being
sleek. I may as well shine as not.". "No harm?" retorted Diamond. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 32 it was friday.htm

It was a Great Delight to Diamond when at Length Nanny was Well ...
... old Diamond, who worked hardest of all, not even then"-so that at the end of it
he was as thin as a clothes-horse, while Ruby was as plump and sleek as a ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 31 it was a.htm

False Prophets
... outwardly; but inwardly ravening wolves. In sheep's clothing, truly, smooth
and sanctimonious, meek, and sleek. But wolves at heart ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xiii false prophets.htm

The Legend of La Brea {331A}
... By there came a hunter, Lithe and lusty, sleek and strong, Rolling
round his sparkling eyeballs, As he loped and lounged along. ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the legend of la brea.htm

Seeing and Blind
... with. Disbelief slays its thousands, and dissipation its tens of thousands,
but this sleek, well-to-do carelessness, its millions. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/seeing and blind.htm

Herod
... No contrast could be imagined more dramatic than between the sleek seducer of his
brother's wife and the imperious reformer, rude in garment and frugal of fare ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 6 14-29 herod.htm

Ep. Ii.
... Have we done you an injury, because while you are pale and breathing hard and measuring
the sun, we are sleek and well fed and not pressed for room? ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep ii.htm

'Lead us not into Temptation'
... relics of his old self, to wage war against evils the force of which he never knew
till he tried to resist them, against sins which were all sleek, and velvety ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/lead us not into temptation.htm

Augustin Deceived by Familiarity with the Manich??ans, and by the ...
... So it came about that, however slowly and cautiously, yet for a long time I followed
men that preferred a sleek straw to a living soul. 12. ...
/.../chapter 9 name deceived by.htm

Are, Then, the Divine Bodies Free from These Deformities? and ...
... nostrils, those are snub-nosed; some chubby from a swelling of their jaws or growth
of their cheeks, dwarfed, tall, of middle size, lean, sleek, fat; some with ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/14 are then the divine.htm

Sleek (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Having an even, smooth surface; smooth; hence,
glossy; as, sleek hair. ... Multi-Version Concordance Sleek (7 Occurrences). ...
/s/sleek.htm - 8k

Fed (62 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Genesis 41:2 Behold, there came up out of the river seven cattle, sleek and
fat, and they fed in the marsh grass. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV). ...
/f/fed.htm - 25k

Marsh (4 Occurrences)
... Marsh (4 Occurrences). Genesis 41:2 Behold, there came up out of the river seven
cattle, sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass. (WEB NAS). ...
/m/marsh.htm - 9k

Fat (150 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:2 Behold, there came up out of the river seven cattle, sleek and fat,
and they fed in the marsh grass. ... You have grown thick. You have become sleek. ...
/f/fat.htm - 44k

Grass (92 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Genesis 41:2 Behold, there came up out of the river seven cattle, sleek and
fat, and they fed in the marsh grass. (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV). ...
/g/grass.htm - 43k

River (189 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Genesis 41:2 Behold, there came up out of the river
seven cattle, sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass. ...
/r/river.htm - 52k

Cattle (277 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV). Genesis 41:2 Behold, there came up out of the
river seven cattle, sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass. (WEB). ...
/c/cattle.htm - 52k

Kicked (9 Occurrences)
... You have grown fat. You have grown thick. You have become sleek. Then he forsook
God who made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. ...
/k/kicked.htm - 9k

Ugly (7 Occurrences)
... river. (WEB NAS NIV). Genesis 41:4 The ugly and thin cattle ate up the seven
sleek and fat cattle. So Pharaoh awoke. (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/u/ugly.htm - 8k

Jeshurun (4 Occurrences)
... You have grown fat. You have grown thick. You have become sleek. Then he forsook
God who made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. ...
/j/jeshurun.htm - 10k

What does it mean that God is the God of Jeshurun? | GotQuestions.org

Sleek: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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