יֳפִי (yo.phi)
yo.phi
beauty
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word for beauty often points to something that catches the eye or stirs desire. In Esther, it describes a queen’s appearance meant to impress rulers. In Proverbs, it warns against letting physical charm captivate our hearts. These verses remind us that outward attractiveness is real but temporary.
Yet Scripture also uses this word for God’s glory shining from Zion and the king seen in splendor. This shift shows that true beauty reflects character and divine presence rather than just looks. When we fear the Lord, we find a worth that outlasts fading youth or changing fashion.
This perspective invites us to look deeper. Instead of chasing fleeting appearances, we can appreciate how God’s goodness creates lasting value in people and places. It encourages a heart that seeks inner integrity over external polish.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- beauty3×
- beauty/ her2×
- in/ beauty/ his1×
- [will be] beauty/ its1×
- <the>/ beauty1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יֹֽפִי\׃1×
- יֹ֗פִי1×
- יֹ֔פִי1×
- יָפְיָ֔/הּ1×
- יָפְי֑/וֹ1×
- יָ֭פְיָ/הּ1×
- הַ/יֹּ֑פִי1×
- בְּ/יָפְי֖/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 50:2
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines out.
This verse applies the word to Zion itself, showing that beauty can describe God’s majestic presence rather than just human appearance.
-
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
Here the word contrasts with fear of the Lord, highlighting that physical attractiveness is temporary while godly character endures.
-
Esther 1:11
to bring Vashti the queen before the king wearing the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful.
The text uses the word to describe Queen Vashti’s visible splendor, illustrating how beauty was often displayed for public admiration in ancient courts.