Who Was The Most Beautiful Woman In The Bible?
The Bible contains stories of many admirable women who display strength, courage and devotion. But which of these Biblical women stands out above the rest for her outer beauty and comeliness? Let’s take a deep dive into the Scriptures to uncover who has a legitimate claim to the title of the most beautiful woman in the Bible.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Esther, the Jewish queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus, is described as having unrivaled beauty and charm that helped her save the Jewish people from destruction.
Vashti – Beauty Led to Her Downfall
Description of Her Beauty
As Queen of Persia, Vashti was renowned for her exceptional physical beauty. Ancient texts describe her as having a tall and stately figure, lustrous black hair, dark almond-shaped eyes, and fair, glowing skin. Her regal and elegant bearing only enhanced her attractiveness further.
According to the Midrash (early Jewish interpretations), Vashti’s beauty was so legendary that women would make themselves sick in order to look pale and interesting like her. Some even say that her beauty alone was enough to spur King Ahasuerus to display her beauty by demanding she appear naked before his guests – an order that led to her downfall.
While seen as the ancient ideal of feminine pulchritude, Vashti’s striking looks were ultimately her undoing. Her stand against the King’s command to parade herself may have been motivated in part by refusal to be objectified for her beauty alone.
And ironically, the very beauty that had once elevated her to the rank of Queen led to her sudden removal from power. For King Ahasuerus, her disobedience outweighed her physical charms.
Her Disobedience Led to Her Removal as Queen
As told in the Book of Esther, Vashti’s choice to refuse appearing before the King’s drunken guests had immediate repercussions. Enraged at her refusal to obey, King Ahasuerus removed her as Queen with the support of his counselors.
They argued that all wives in the kingdom would refuse their husbands if Vashti were not made an example. Some scholars believe there were also political factors, as Vashti held significant power and her disobedience threatened the King’s authority.
While Vashti saw her dignity and royal status as more important than submission, this choice cost her the title of Queen. However, her removal allowed the way for Esther to become Queen instead. Interestingly, Esther’s famed beauty is often compared to Vashti’s legendary good looks in analyses about why she succeeded where Vashti failed.
Perhaps beauty remains power, after all.
Esther – Her Beauty Charmed the King
Chosen for Her Beauty to Be Part of the King’s Harem
Esther was a young Jewish woman known for her striking beauty. When King Xerxes of Persia was looking for a new queen, Esther was taken into the king’s harem because of her physical attractiveness. According to the biblical Book of Esther, “The young woman pleased the king; she won his favor and devotion, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen” (Esther 2:17).
As a candidate for queen, Esther underwent 12 months of beauty treatments with oil of myrrh before being presented to King Xerxes. Her natural grace and charm captivated the king, and he chose Esther above all the other virgins in the harem to be his new queen.
Esther’s beauty was a key factor in her selection as queen. However, the Bible also emphasizes her courage, faith, and wisdom. Despite being taken into the king’s palace against her will, Esther remained true to her Jewish identity and faith.
She used her position of influence to bravely save her people from destruction. So while physical beauty opened doors for Esther, it was her inner beauty and character that truly defined her.
Esther Used Her Beauty and Wit to Save Her People
After becoming queen, Esther was faced with a crisis when the king’s highest official, Haman, plotted to destroy all the Jews in Persia. Esther had to use her courage, tact, and wit to foil Haman’s genocidal plans. According to the biblical narrative, Esther fasted and prayed to God for guidance.
She then dressed in her royal robes and approached King Xerxes, risking her life by appearing before him unsummoned. Esther invited Xerxes and Haman to two banquets, where she eventually revealed her Jewish identity and Haman’s evil plot.
Her revelation provoked the king to have Haman executed instead of the Jews.
Esther’s wisdom and careful approach in revealing the truth was crucial to stopping the genocide. The king could have reacted in anger at her uninvited approach. So Esther slowly unveiled the truth with tact. Her patience, courage, and intelligence complemented her external beauty.
In ancient Jewish tradition, Esther is honored alongside the great prophets and leaders despite not necessarily speaking God’s word. Her quiet strength and wisdom saved her people and exemplified true inner beauty.
Rachel – The Beauty Who Won Jacob’s Heart
Jacob Was Smitten by Rachel’s Appearance
The biblical account describes how Rachel’s beauty immediately captivated Jacob when he first met her at a well in Haran. After encountering Rachel at the well, Jacob “kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud” (Genesis 29:11).
He was so overcome by emotion upon seeing her beauty that he could not contain himself. This reaction demonstrates how Rachel’s physical appearance made a striking impression on Jacob right from the start.
In his seven years of labor to marry Rachel, Jacob’s love for her only grew deeper. As Genesis 29:20 states, “So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.” The Hebrew word used for “love” here refers to a deep romantic love.
Rachel’s beauty had thoroughly stolen Jacob’s heart.
Rachel’s Comeliness Inspires Poetic Descriptions
Rachel’s sublime beauty also inspired poetic descriptions. Rachel is compared to a graceful animal in Song of Solomon 4:5 – “Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle.” This analogy speaks to Rachel’s delicate loveliness and the affection she evokes.
The prophet Jeremiah used Rachel as a representation of beauty when lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem: “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children…” (Jeremiah 31:15).
Rachel embodiedideal beauty, and so she became the fitting metaphor for the loss of something lovely.
Finally, in Robert Herrick’s poem “The Fair Maid,” Rachel is described poetically:
“Rachel doth here her comely face
Wash in this lukewarm spring;
While through her limbs doth shiver
A sweet and pleasant quivering.”
Again, Rachel epitomizes graceful beauty as she bathes. Her stunning form evokes poetic praise.
Throughout history, Rachel has been held up as the pinnacle of beauty. Her comeliness sets the standard that others can only aspire to reach. Rachel’s loveliness went beyond the physical to touch the soul. Ultimately, the Bible showcases Rachel as a woman of remarkable beauty both inside and out.
Abishag – A Beauty Who Brought Comfort
David Sought a Beautiful Virgin to Comfort Him
In his old age, King David was feeble and could not get warm (1 Kings 1:1-4). His advisers recommended finding a beautiful young virgin to care for him and lie beside him to keep him warm. They searched the land and found Abishag, a strikingly gorgeous woman from Shunem.
Abishag was brought to David’s palace and became his attendant. Though the king laid with her, he did not have intimate relations with her (1 Kings 1:4).
Abishag’s beauty and care brought comfort to David in his frailty. Though she was alluring enough to stir desire, David maintained purity and did not take advantage of her. Abishag selflessly served the elderly king, keeping him warm and attending to his needs.
Her gentle companionship eased David’s discomfort in his final days.
Abishag’s Beauty Was Praised Though She Remained Chaste
The scriptures emphasize Abishag’s beauty, saying she was “very beautiful” and “extremely beautiful” (1 Kings 1:3–4). Though brought to the king’s bed, she remained a virgin. Abishag did not use her beauty to gain power or status, but quietly served King David.
After David’s death, his son Adonijah asked Bathsheba if he could marry Abishag. But Solomon saw this as a threat to his power and had Adonijah killed for making the request (1 Kings 2:13-25). Marrying a king’s wife or concubine was considered an act of treason.
The fact that even King Solomon perceived Abishag as one of David’s wives shows how famed her beauty was, though they did not actually have an intimate relationship.
Abishag’s physical appeal brought honor as she humbly served. Her inner beauty shone as brightly as her outward appearance. Though alluring, she did not use her charm to control men, but allowed her integrity to rule her conduct. Abishag’s modesty and discretion were as stunning as her loveliness.
The Shulammite – The Lead In An Erotic Biblical Poem
The Shulammite’s Lover Praises Her Physical Perfection
The Song of Songs features a beautiful woman called the Shulammite who is passionately loved and praised by her male companion. He describes her physical attributes in vivid detail, calling her “the most beautiful of women” (Song of Songs 1:8).
Her lover highlights her dark yet lovely eyes, graceful neck, and breasts like two fawns (Song of Songs 4:1-5). He is captivated by her beauty and longs to be with her. This openly erotic poem stands out in the Bible for its celebration of romantic and sexual love.
Some key aspects of the Shulammite’s praised beauty include:
- Radiant eyes – Her eyes are described as doves behind her veil, captivating her lover (Song of Songs 4:1).
- Flowing hair – She has long, dark hair that flows gracefully like a flock of goats (Song of Songs 4:1).
- Perfect teeth – Her teeth are white and flawless, likened to newly-shorn sheep (Song of Songs 4:2).
- Rosy lips – Her lips are scarlet, driving her lover wild with passion (Song of Songs 4:3).
- Graceful neck – Her neck is elegant and shapely like the tower of David (Song of Songs 4:4).
- Breasts – Her breasts are compared to two fawns, arousing intense desire in her lover (Song of Songs 4:5).
The striking imagery used to describe the Shulammite highlights her almost supernatural beauty. She captivates her lover entirely with her physical perfection. Her body is unashamedly praised and savored.
Some Suggest the Shulammite Represents God’s Love for Israel
While the Song of Songs appears to describe the sensual love between two people, some Bible scholars believe it represents God’s love for Israel. In this allegorical reading, the Shulammite woman symbolizes Israel, the lover is God, and their intimacy reflects the spiritual relationship between God and His chosen people.
Evidence for this allegorical interpretation includes:
- The woman is called the “rose of Sharon” and “lily of the valleys” (Song of Songs 2:1), which may represent Israel’s favored status.
- She says “I am my lover’s and his desire is for me” (Song of Songs 7:10), reflecting God’s passionate love for Israel.
- The Song lacks any mention of God, which seems unusual for a canonical text. The allegory makes sense of this omission.
- The vivid physical descriptions emphasize Israel’s beauty in God’s eyes despite her sin and unfaithfulness.
In this reading, the Shulammite embodies Israel’s idealized relationship with God – Intimate, passionate, and unbroken. Her perfection and beauty reveal how God sees Israel. However, interpretations vary widely and the literal meaning remains dominant.
Conclusion
While beauty is extolled in various Biblical women, inner grace and righteous conduct matter more.
By examining the context around the highlighted beauty of these women, we gain insight into the cultures and values of Biblical times. Their stories teach timeless lessons about obedience to God, standing up for one’s people, and the nature of romantic and divine love.
