The term "well-favored" is used in the Bible to describe individuals or objects that possess a pleasing appearance or are endowed with beauty and grace. This term often signifies not only physical attractiveness but also a sense of divine favor or blessing. In the biblical context, being well-favored can imply a special status or role within God's plan.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 29:17 · "Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful." In this passage, Rachel is described as "shapely and beautiful," which can be understood as being well-favored. Her beauty is noted in contrast to her sister Leah, highlighting Rachel's favored status in terms of physical appearance.

2. Genesis 39:6 · "So he left in Joseph’s care everything he owned; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome." Joseph's well-favored appearance is mentioned here, which plays a significant role in the narrative, particularly in the events involving Potiphar's wife. His physical attractiveness is seen as part of his overall favor and success, which God grants him.

3. Daniel 1:4 · "young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well-informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace." The young men chosen to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar's court, including Daniel, are described as well-favored in terms of appearance and intellect. This description underscores their suitability for service and the favor they receive in the king's eyes.

Theological Implications:

In the biblical narrative, being well-favored often correlates with divine favor and purpose. Characters described as well-favored frequently play pivotal roles in God's unfolding plan. For instance, Joseph's attractiveness and subsequent trials lead to his rise to power in Egypt, which ultimately serves God's purpose of preserving the Israelites during famine.

The concept of being well-favored also extends beyond physical beauty to encompass qualities such as wisdom, skill, and moral integrity. In Daniel 1:4, the young men are not only physically attractive but also intellectually and morally equipped for their roles. This holistic view of favor suggests that God's blessings are multifaceted, encompassing both external and internal attributes.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, physical beauty was often associated with divine favor and blessing. This cultural backdrop provides insight into why biblical authors might emphasize the well-favored appearance of certain individuals. Such descriptions would resonate with contemporary audiences, who viewed beauty as a sign of God's approval and a potential indicator of one's destiny.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

While physical beauty is acknowledged in the Bible, it is not the sole determinant of one's worth or favor with God. Scriptures such as 1 Samuel 16:7 remind believers that "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." This underscores the biblical principle that inner character and faithfulness to God are of paramount importance.

In summary, the term "well-favored" in the Bible encompasses both physical beauty and divine favor, often indicating a person's special role in God's plan. While cultural contexts may emphasize outward appearance, the biblical narrative consistently points to the greater significance of inner qualities and divine purpose.(a.) Handsome; wellformed; beautiful; pleasing to the eye.2170. eucharistos -- thankful
... thankful. From eu and a derivative of charizomai; well favored, ie (by implication)
grateful -- thankful. see GREEK eu. see GREEK charizomai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2170.htm - 7k2580. chen -- favor, grace
... 2), gracious (3), pleases* (1). favor, gracious, pleasant, precious,
well-favored. From chanan; graciousness, ie Subjective (kindness ...
/hebrew/2580.htm - 6k

The Economic Challenge to the Church
... One could go through the whole list of contrasts between the economically well-favored
sections of the country and the less favored agricultural sections and ...
/.../church cooperation in community life/chapter iii the economic challenge.htm

From Sinai to Kadesh.
... From Kadesh Moses sent out twelve men who should investigate the condition of Canaan.
These men agreed that it was an attractive and well favored land. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vi from sinai to.htm

The Judgment of the Harlot.
... She is also described as "The well-favored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts,
that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the judgment of the harlot.htm

Matt. xxii. 15
... And this table is like to a fair and well-favored woman, needing nothing external,
but having her beauty from nature; but that to some ugly and ill-favored ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxx matt xxii 15.htm

In the Court of Babylon
... he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of
the princes; children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 39 in the court.htm

Matt. xxviii. 11-14.
... For to me poverty seems like some comely, fair, and well-favored damsel, but
covetousness like some monster shaped woman, some Scylla or Hydra, or some other ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xc matt xxviii 11-14.htm

2 Cor. Iii. 7, 8
... speak of,) but wait, and thou shalt hear Moses admiring the son of Jacob, and saying,
"And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored exceedingly." (Genesis ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily vii 2 cor iii.htm

Antichrist.
... a golden cup in her hand. Hence she is called the well-favored harlot,
the lady of kingdoms. But because the chaste matron, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxiii antichrist.htm

The Heinous Sin of Drunkenness
... How many walking skeletons have you seen, whose bodies were once exceeding fair
to look upon, fat and well-favored; but, by this sin of drinking, how has their ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of drunkenness.htm

1 Timothy i. 15, 16
... Why does the Scripture tell us, that "Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored"
(Genesis 39:6.), but that we might the more admire his modesty coupled with ...
/.../homily iv 1 timothy i.htm

Well-favored (7 Occurrences)
Well-favored. Welleth, Well-favored. Wellfavoured . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
Multi-Version Concordance Well-favored (7 Occurrences). ...
/w/well-favored.htm - 8k

Favored (19 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Having a certain favor or appearance; featured; as, well-favored; hard-favored,
etc. ... And Joseph was a goodly person, and wellfavored. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/f/favored.htm - 12k

Well-favoured (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, well-favored
and fat-fleshed; and they fed in the reed-grass. (See JPS). ...
/w/well-favoured.htm - 7k

Kine (24 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Genesis 41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven wellfavored
kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. (KJV JPS ASV DBY YLT). ...
/k/kine.htm - 16k

Fat-fleshed (2 Occurrences)
... Fat-fleshed (2 Occurrences). Genesis 41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the
river seven kine, well-favored and fat-fleshed; and they fed in the reed-grass. ...
/f/fat-fleshed.htm - 7k

Fatfleshed (2 Occurrences)
... Fatfleshed (2 Occurrences). Genesis 41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the river
seven wellfavored kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. (KJV). ...
/f/fatfleshed.htm - 6k

Reed-grass (3 Occurrences)
... Reed-grass (3 Occurrences). Genesis 41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the river
seven kine, well-favored and fat-fleshed; and they fed in the reed-grass. ...
/r/reed-grass.htm - 7k

Meadow (8 Occurrences)
... Meadow (8 Occurrences). Genesis 41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the river
seven wellfavored kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. (KJV WBS). ...
/m/meadow.htm - 12k

Qualified (5 Occurrences)
... Daniel 1:4 youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skillful in all
wisdom, and endowed with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ...
/q/qualified.htm - 8k

Lean-fleshed (3 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY JPS WBS). Genesis 41:4 And the ill-favored and lean-fleshed kine did eat
up the seven well-favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. (ASV DBY JPS WBS). ...
/l/lean-fleshed.htm - 7k

What does it mean to be blessed? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Jacob in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Rachel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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