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 ).
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
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