Original Word: יָפָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: yaphah
Pronunciation: yah-fah'
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-faw')
KJV: be beautiful, be (make self) fair(-r), deck
NASB: beautiful, decorate, fairer, make yourself beautiful
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (properly) to be bright
2. (by implication) beautiful

be beautiful, be fair, deck

A primitive root; properly, to be bright, i.e. (by implication) beautiful -- be beautiful, be (make self) fair(-r), deck.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be fair or beautiful
NASB Translation
beautiful (5), decorate (1), fairer (1), make yourself beautiful (1).

[יָפָה] verb be fair, beautiful (Late Hebrew id. Pi`el and derivatives; Aramaic Aph`el is suffice, finish, fail; compare Aramaic (PS³⁰¹⁵) beautiful, fit, Nö^{§ 172 c. Anm. G H}[offmann] LCB^{1882, 321}. Arabic fulfil, perform; Ethiopic II.

2 give (entirely) over to, into power of, Di³⁴⁹) —

Qal Perfect יָפִיתְ Cant 7:7; יָפוּ Songs 4:10; Songs 7:2 Imperfect2feminine singular וַתִּ֫יפִי (Kö^{Lgh. i. 581}) Ezekiel 16:13; 3masculine singular with apocope וַיִּיף Ezekiel 31:7; — be beautiful, subject person Cant 4:10; Song 7:7; of feet Songs 7:2; of Jerusalem under figure of woman Ezekiel 16:13; Egypt under figure of tree Ezekiel 31:7.

Pi`el Imperfect3masculine singular suffix יְיַמֵּ֑הוּ Jeremiah 10:4 beautify an idol. The (

Pe`al`al ?) Perfect form אָדָם יָפְיָפִיתָ מִבְּנֵי Psalm 45:3 is contrary to all analogues: read either יָפִיתָ or יְפֵיפִיתָ Ges ^{§ 55. 3} Sta^{§ 156 R} Now (Kö^{i. 583 f.} defence is artificial): thou art more beautiful than, etc.

Hithpa`el Imperfect2feminine singular תִּתְיַמִּי beautify thyself Jeremiah 4:30.

Meaning and Range of Use

יָפָה (yaphah) expresses the idea of becoming lovely, fair, or beautiful. Scripture employs the root for physical attractiveness, aesthetic excellence, and the figurative beauty of moral or spiritual qualities. The verb can describe a person (Psalm 45:2), an act of affection (Song of Solomon 4:10), a city (Jeremiah 4:30), crafted idols (Jeremiah 10:4), an entire nation (Ezekiel 16:13), or even a majestic tree symbolizing imperial power (Ezekiel 31:7). In each setting, beauty is either celebrated as a gift from God or critiqued when misused for vanity or idolatry.

Occurrences and Literary Contexts

Psalm 45:2

“You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace has anointed your lips, since God has blessed you forever.”

The royal wedding psalm extols a Davidic king whose attractiveness is intertwined with gracious speech and divine favor, ultimately pointing ahead to the Messiah (compare Hebrews 1:8-9).

Song of Solomon 4:10; 7:6

“How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!... How beautiful and pleasant you are, O love, with your delights!”

Here beauty is covenantal—celebrated within marital fidelity. The verb underscores genuine affection rather than superficial charm.

Jeremiah 4:30

“You beautify yourself in vain. Your lovers despise you; they seek your life.”

Jerusalem’s attempt to secure political alliances through seductive splendor is exposed as futile. Beauty without righteousness cannot save.

Jeremiah 10:4

“They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.”

Idols are “beautified” to disguise their lifelessness. Ornamentation becomes a parody of true divine glory.

Ezekiel 16:13

“You grew very beautiful and rose to be a queen.”

God recounts how He lavished gifts on Jerusalem; yet the city prostituted its God-given beauty. The contrast highlights grace betrayed.

Ezekiel 31:7

“It was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches, for its roots were by abundant waters.”

Assyria is likened to a towering cedar whose external magnificence cannot prevent divine judgment (verses 10-11).

Theology of Beauty

1. Beauty flows from the Creator. Genesis 1 repeatedly pronounces creation “good,” and יָפָה vocabulary echoes that aesthetic order.
2. Beauty is meant to serve righteousness. When aligned with covenant loyalty (Song of Solomon), it mirrors God’s own loveliness. When separated from obedience (Jeremiah, Ezekiel), it becomes vanity.
3. Beauty anticipates Christ. Psalm 45 links attractiveness with messianic kingship: the ideal ruler is both fair and holy, embodying “grace … poured upon Your lips.”

Prophetic Warnings

Jeremiah and Ezekiel use יָפָה to unmask false securities—political intrigue, idolatry, or imperial arrogance. The prophets insist that beauty minus truth invites judgment. Their language calls God’s people to evaluate cultural allurements that promise protection yet end in ruin.

Ministry and Discipleship Implications

• Evangelism: Proclaim the superior beauty of Christ, “the radiance of God’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3).
• Worship: Cultivate services that reflect God-honoring aesthetics without drifting into showmanship.
• Personal conduct: Encourage believers to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10) through holy living, echoing Peter’s call for “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4).

Christological Fulfillment

Psalm 45’s royal figure, described with יָפָה, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. His beauty transcends appearance; it is rooted in perfect obedience and sacrificial love. At Calvary the form marred (Isaiah 52:14) paradoxically reveals the deepest loveliness—the glory of redeeming grace.

Practical Application

Believers are invited to seek a beauty shaped by Scripture, Spirit, and service rather than cultural standards. As the saved of the Lord, we anticipate the day when the New Jerusalem “coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2) will display perfect, everlasting יָפָה.

וַיְּיִ֣ף וַתִּ֙יפִי֙ וייף ותיפי יְיַפֵּ֑הוּ יָּפ֥וּ יָּפִית֙ יָפְיָפִ֡יתָ ייפהו יפו יפיפית יפית תִּתְיַפִּ֑י תתיפי tiṯ·yap·pî tityapPi tiṯyappî vaiyeYif vatTifi wat·tî·p̄î wattîp̄î way·yə·yip̄ wayyəyip̄ yā·p̄ə·yā·p̄î·ṯā yā·p̄îṯ yā·p̄ū yafeyaFita yaFit yaFu yāp̄əyāp̄îṯā yāp̄îṯ yāp̄ū yə·yap·pê·hū yeyapPehu yəyappêhūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts