The meaning of Goodly in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
good'-li Tobh; kalos, lampros): In the Old Testament various words are translated "goodly," the most of them occurring only once; Tobh (the common word for "good") is several times translated "goodly," chiefly in the sense of form or appearance e.g "a goodley child" (Exodus 2:2); "that goodly mountain" (Deuteronomy 3:25); yapheh ("fair") is similarly translated in Genesis 39:6, the Revised Version (British and American) "comely," and mar'oh in II Samuel 23:21. Other words, such as 'addir imply excellence, honor, etc., e.g. Ezekiel 17:23, "bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar"; hodh, "his goodly horse" (Zechariah 10:3); others imply beauty, ornament, such as peer "goodly bonnets," the Revised Version (British and American) "headtires" (Exodus 39:28); shaphar ("bright," "fair"), "a goodly heritage" (Psalms 16:6); once 'El ("God of might") is employed, the Revised Version (British and American) "cedars of God," margin "goodly cedars" (Psalms 80:10); renanim ("joyous soundings or shoutings") is translated in Job 39:13 "goodly wings," probably from the sound made in flying or flapping; the English Revised Version has "The wing of the ostrich rejoiceth," the American Standard Revised Version (wings) "wave proudly." For "goodly castles" (Numbers 31:10) the Revised Version (British and American) has "encampments"; "goodly vessels" (II Chronicles 32:27) for "pleasant jewels"; "goodly" is substituted for "good" (Psalms 45:1; Song of Solomon 1:3); "goodly things" for "all the goods" (Genesis 24:10); "goodly frame," the American Standard Revised Version for "comely proportion" (Job 41:12).
In the New Testament kalos ("beautiful") is translated "goodly" in Matthew 13:45, "goodly pearls" and Luke 21:5 "goodly stones"; lampros ("bright") in James 2:2, "goodly apparel," the Revised Version (British and American) "fine clothing," and Revelation 18:14, "dainty and goodly" the Revised Version (British and American) "dainty and sumptuous." In Hebrews 11:23, the Revised Version (British and American)bstitutes "goodly" for "proper."
"Goodly" occurs in Apocrypha, 1 Esdras 4:18; Judith 8:7 (horaios); 2 Macc 9:16, "goodly gifts," kallistos, the Revised Version (British and American) "goodliest."
W. L. Walker
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