### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective ἀστεῖος (asteîos), Strong's number `{{G791}}`, derives from ἄστυ (astu), meaning "city." Its primary semantic range therefore encompasses qualities associated with urban life: refined, cultured, elegant, and sophisticated. By extension, this concept of refinement and pleasing quality extends to physical appearance, leading to the meaning "handsome," "beautiful," "comely," or "fair." It suggests not merely superficial attractiveness but a pleasing quality that is well-formed and agreeable to the eye, often implying a certain grace or charm.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἀστεῖος (asteîos) occurs only twice in the New Testament, both instances referring to the infant Moses.
* In [[Acts 7:20]], Stephen, in his sermon before the Sanhedrin, describes Moses' birth: "At this time Moses was born, and he was fair to God, and he was nourished for three months in his father’s house." The phrase "fair to God" (ἀστεῖος τῷ Θεῷ) is particularly striking. It suggests that Moses' beauty was not merely a human observation but a divine assessment or a divinely-imparted quality, indicating God's special favor upon him from birth. This divine recognition of his comeliness served as a sign to his parents and, implicitly, to God's broader redemptive plan.
* Similarly, in [[Hebrews 11:23]], within the great "faith chapter," the author recounts the faith of Moses' parents: "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict." Here, ἀστεῖος (asteîos) is translated simply as "beautiful" or "fair." The parents' perception of his exceptional beauty was a catalyst for their faith-filled action to preserve his life, defying the Pharaoh's decree. In both contexts, Moses' physical attractiveness is presented not as a superficial detail but as a significant aspect of God's providential care and a sign that encouraged human faith and action.
### Related Words & Concepts
The root word for ἀστεῖος (asteîos) is ἄστυ (astu), meaning "city" or "town," from which the concept of urbanity and refinement springs. While ἀστεῖος (asteîos) is unique in its specific nuance of "urbane beauty," it shares semantic space with other Greek terms for beauty or goodness:
* καλός (kalos - `{{G2570}}`): A broader term meaning "good," "beautiful," "noble," or "excellent," often with a moral or intrinsic quality.
* ὡραῖος (hōraios - `{{G5611}}`): Meaning "timely," "seasonable," but also "beautiful" or "lovely," often implying a pleasing appearance.
* εὐπρεπής (euprepēs - `{{G2156}}`): Meaning "well-appearing," "comely," or "seemly," focusing on outward appearance.
Unlike these broader terms, ἀστεῖος (asteîos) carries a subtle implication of a cultivated or refined beauty, stemming from its urban root. In the biblical context, however, this nuance merges with the idea of a divinely-imparted, striking comeliness. The concept of divine favor and special providence is also strongly linked, as Moses' beauty signals his unique calling.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἀστεῖος (asteîos) is primarily tied to its exclusive application to Moses. The description of Moses as "fair to God" in [[Acts 7:20]] is profound. It suggests that God's eye discerns beauty beyond human aesthetic standards, or perhaps that He bestows a particular grace upon those He chooses for His purposes. Moses' exceptional beauty, recognized by God and his parents, serves as a tangible sign of divine favor and election from birth. This aligns with the biblical theme of God preparing and setting apart His chosen instruments from their earliest days (e.g., Jeremiah, John the Baptist).
In [[Hebrews 11:23]], the parents' perception of Moses' beauty is presented as a catalyst for their faith, leading them to defy a tyrannical decree. This demonstrates how God can use even physical attributes to encourage human faith and to advance His sovereign plan of salvation. Moses' beauty was not merely incidental; it was part of God's providential orchestration of events that would lead to the deliverance of Israel. It underscores the truth that every detail, even the physical appearance of an infant, can be integrated into God's grand design for redemptive history.
### Summary
The word ἀστεῖος (asteîos), meaning "urbane," "refined," and by extension "handsome" or "fair," appears exclusively in the New Testament to describe the infant Moses. In [[Acts 7:20]], he is "fair to God," indicating a divine recognition or impartation of beauty and special favor. In [[Hebrews 11:23]], his parents' perception of his beauty inspires their faith-filled act of hiding him, thereby preserving his life. Thus, ἀστεῖος (asteîos) highlights God's providential care and His sovereign use of even physical attributes to set apart His chosen servants and to embolden the faith of others, all for the unfolding of His redemptive purposes.
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