from יָפָה by reduplication; very beautiful; very fair.
Transliteration:yᵉphêh-phîyâh
Pronunciation:yef-eh' fee-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H3304 (יְפֵה־פִיָּה, yᵉphêh-phîyâh) is a unique and emphatic compound derived from the root יָפָה (yapheh, `{{H3302}}`), which signifies "beautiful," "fair," or "comely." The structure of H3304 involves a reduplication of the root, intensifying its meaning. While יָפָה itself denotes beauty, יְפֵה־פִיָּה specifically conveys a superlative degree of attractiveness, best translated as "very beautiful," "exceedingly fair," or "of surpassing beauty." This reduplicative form serves to emphasize the extreme nature of the physical attractiveness being described, highlighting a beauty that is striking and undeniable. It points to an aesthetic quality that is not merely pleasant but profoundly captivating.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H3304 appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, making its sole occurrence particularly significant for understanding its precise nuance and contextual implications.
* **[[Deuteronomy 21:11]]**: "and see among the captives a woman beautiful of form and beautiful of appearance (יְפֵה־פִיָּה), and you desire her and would take her to be your wife,"
In this solitary instance, יְפֵה־פִיָּה describes a captive woman taken during wartime. The context is a specific legal provision within the Deuteronomic code, outlining the procedure for an Israelite man who desires to marry such a woman. The phrase "beautiful of form and beautiful of appearance" (יְפַת־תֹּאַר וּיְפַת מַרְאֶה) uses the more common יָפָה (yapheh, `{{H3302}}`) for "beautiful of form" (יְפַת־תֹּאַר) and then employs the heightened יְפֵה־פִיָּה for "beautiful of appearance" (וּיְפַת מַרְאֶה). This pairing suggests that while her "form" might be generally pleasing, her "appearance" is exceptionally, even overwhelmingly, beautiful, to the point of arousing strong desire in the beholder.
The law does not condemn this desire but immediately places strict regulations upon it, requiring a period of mourning and purification for the woman before marriage. This highlights that even profound physical beauty, which can elicit powerful human desires, must be brought under the purview of divine law and ethical consideration, ensuring the dignity and rights of the vulnerable. The extreme beauty described by H3304 is thus the catalyst for a legal framework designed to prevent exploitation and promote a measure of justice in a difficult situation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root from which H3304 is derived:
* **יָפָה (yapheh, `{{H3302}}`)**: This is the more common adjective for "beautiful," "fair," or "handsome." It is used extensively throughout the Old Testament to describe the physical attractiveness of people (e.g., Sarah in [[Genesis 12:11]], Rachel in [[Genesis 29:17]], David in [[1 Samuel 16:12]], Esther in [[Esther 2:7]]), the aesthetic quality of places (e.g., Jerusalem in [[Psalm 48:2]]), and even the beauty of God's works or divine favor. H3304 serves as an intensification of this base meaning.
Other related concepts that touch upon beauty or comeliness in the Hebrew Bible include:
* **טוֹב (tov, `{{H2896}}`)**: While primarily meaning "good," it can sometimes carry an aesthetic sense, implying pleasantness or attractiveness (e.g., the "good" trees in [[Genesis 2:9]]).
* **חֵן (chen, `{{H2580}}`)**: "Grace" or "favor," often implying an attractiveness that elicits positive regard or affection, whether physical or spiritual.
* **תֹּאַר (to'ar, `{{H8389}}`)**: "Form" or "figure," often used in conjunction with יָפָה to describe physical appearance, as seen in [[Deuteronomy 21:11]] itself.
The unique reduplication in H3304 underscores a linguistic mechanism to express superlative degrees, a feature found in various forms in Hebrew to emphasize intensity or repetition.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of H3304 in [[Deuteronomy 21:11]] carries profound theological weight, particularly regarding the intersection of human desire, divine law, and the dignity of individuals.
1. **Acknowledging Human Desire**: The text frankly acknowledges the powerful impact of extraordinary physical beauty on human desire. God's law does not deny this reality but rather addresses it directly. The "very beautiful" woman is the object of desire, demonstrating that even in the context of war and conquest, human attraction remains a potent force.
2. **Regulating Desire with Justice**: The theological significance lies not in the beauty itself, but in the divine imperative to regulate the *response* to such beauty and desire. The law immediately imposes a framework of rights and responsibilities. The man cannot simply take the woman; he must allow her time to mourn, shave her head, pare her nails, and change her clothes. This period of purification and mourning is a remarkable provision, recognizing her humanity and her grief, even as a captive. It elevates her status from mere war-booty to a potential wife, albeit under specific conditions. This demonstrates God's concern for justice and the protection of the vulnerable, even when confronted with powerful human impulses.
3. **Beyond Outward Appearance**: While H3304 highlights outward beauty, the subsequent legal provisions subtly shift the focus from mere physical attraction to the woman's personhood and rights. The law implicitly teaches that while beauty can be a catalyst, it does not supersede ethical considerations or the inherent dignity of an individual created in God's image. This aligns with broader biblical themes that caution against judging solely by outward appearance (e.g., [[1 Samuel 16:7]]) and emphasize the importance of inward character and righteous conduct.
4. **God's Comprehensive Law**: The inclusion of such a specific and sensitive law concerning a "very beautiful" captive woman underscores the comprehensive nature of God's Torah, which extends its ethical and moral demands even to the complex and often brutal realities of warfare and human relationships. It reveals a God who cares for the details of human life and seeks to instill justice and compassion in all circumstances.
### Summary
The Hebrew term H3304 (יְפֵה־פִיָּה, yᵉphêh-phîyâh) signifies an intensified, superlative degree of beauty, meaning "very beautiful" or "exceedingly fair." Derived from the common word for beauty, יָפָה (yapheh, `{{H3302}}`), its reduplicated form emphasizes an overwhelming aesthetic quality. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Deuteronomy 21:11]] describes a captive woman whose profound physical attractiveness sparks a desire in an Israelite man. The theological significance of this unique word lies not merely in its description of beauty, but in the divine law that immediately follows, which regulates the man's desire and establishes protective measures for the woman. This demonstrates God's acknowledgment of powerful human impulses, His commitment to justice and the dignity of the vulnerable even in challenging circumstances, and His comprehensive concern for righteous conduct that transcends mere outward appearance.
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