יָפֶה (ya.pheh)
ya.pheh
beautiful
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 33 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective yāpheh means beautiful, handsome, or pleasing in appearance. It describes physical attractiveness in people and animals, as when Genesis notes that Rachel was “beautiful in form and face” (Genesis 29:17), or when Samuel finds David, who was “ruddy and handsome.” The word also applies to landscapes, such as the “beautiful” heights of Zion in Psalm 48:2.
Its meaning extends beyond looks to describe what is good or excellent. Ecclesiastes uses it to say God made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11), and Ezekiel compares a speaker’s voice to one who sings with pleasant songs (Ezekiel 33:32). The sources note it often appears with words for form or appearance, emphasizing visible grace.
Derived from the root yaphah, the word carries a sense of harmony and suitability. Translators render it variously as beautiful, fair, goodly, or pleasant depending on context. In Song of Solomon, it becomes a term of endearment between lovers, reflecting both physical attraction and relational delight.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word yāpheh describes more than just surface-level attractiveness. It points to a harmony and suitability that brings pleasure to the eye and the heart. When Genesis notes Rachel was beautiful in form, or when Psalm 48 speaks of Zion’s heights as beautiful, the text highlights a visible grace that reflects God’s creative care.
This word also carries a deeper spiritual weight. Ecclesiastes 3:11 uses it to say God made everything beautiful in its time. This suggests that beauty is not merely about physical features but about fittingness and purpose within God’s design. It invites us to see the world with eyes that appreciate both the obvious and the subtle details of creation.
In relationships, this term appears in Song of Solomon as a tender acknowledgment between lovers. It reminds us that physical attraction is a good gift when held within the context of mutual delight and respect. We are encouraged to value people for who they are, recognizing the unique grace God has placed in each life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 33 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- beautiful of6×
- [are] beautiful6×
- beautiful5×
- O/ beautiful [one]3×
- handsome of2×
- beautiful [one]/ my2×
- and/ beautiful of2×
- [was] beautiful2×
- handsome1×
- good looking of1×
- and/ handsome of1×
- and/ good looking of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְפַת\־4×
- הַ/יָּפָ֖ה3×
- יָפָתִ֖/י2×
- יָפָה֙2×
- יָפָ֣ה2×
- יָפָ֖ה2×
- יָפָ֔ה2×
- יְפֵ֥ה2×
- יָפָ֨ה1×
- יָפָ֥ה1×
- יָפָ֤ה1×
- יָפֶ֤ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 29:17
Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive.
This verse pairs yāpheh with physical form, establishing it as a descriptor of visible attractiveness in people.
-
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.
Here the word expands beyond appearance to describe God’s work as fitting and pleasing within His timing.
-
Song of Solomon 1:15
Behold, you are beautiful, my love. Behold, you are beautiful. Your eyes are like doves.
The lover uses this term directly to express personal delight and affection for his beloved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word yāpheh mean?
How is yāpheh different from other words for beauty?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Does yāpheh only refer to physical beauty?
Every Occurrence (33 verses across 12 books)
Genesis 7 verses
When he had come near to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman to…
Genesis 12:14When Abram had come into Egypt, some Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful.
Genesis 29:17Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive.
Genesis 39:6He left all that he had in Joseph’s hand. He didn’t concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate.…
Genesis 41:2Behold, seven cattle came up out of the river. They were sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass.
Genesis 41:4The ugly and thin cattle ate up the seven sleek and fat cattle. So Pharaoh awoke.
Genesis 41:18and behold, seven fat and sleek cattle came up out of the river. They fed in the marsh grass;