What Does Favor Mean in the Bible?
In the Bible, favor denotes the preferential treatment given by God. It is an undeserved act of kindness, embodying God’s loving-kindness to those who love Him and pursue His will. Favor, in this biblical context, is not influenced by human merits, nor dependent on the whims of fortune. It originates from God’s unconditional and unwavering love for humanity. Bible passages on this topic underscore the importance of staying humble, focused, and grounded in faith to grasp God’s benevolence.
Where is Favor Found in the Bible?
While verses relating to God’s favor are scattered throughout the Bible, they are primarily concentrated within the books of Psalms and Proverbs. Here, favor is tied to concepts of wisdom, righteousness, and faithfulness. Moreover, the theme appears in the context of various biblical characters and their experiences, providing believers with practical and spiritual insights. Notably, favor is shown as a reward for obedience and faith, as well as unconditional divine love that works beyond human comprehension.
Who Experiences Favor in the Bible?
From Noah and Abraham to Moses and David, numerous biblical characters are said to have experienced God’s favor. Their respective journeys reveal the multifaceted nature of God’s favor, portraying it as a catalyst for miracles, victories, and territories expansion. Their stories deliver a clear message: favor is not confined to the virtuous and righteous. Even those with flaws and past transgressions can receive favor when they sincerely turn their hearts towards God. This recurring theme serves as a reminder of God’s unfathomable grace and mercy for those willing to embrace Him.
Why Does God’s Favor Matter?
God’s favor holds pivotal significance in the life of every believer. It acts as a divine endorsement, reaffirming God’s steadfast love and provision. Favor often equates to divine protection and guidance, leading individuals toward spiritual growth and personal transformation. In a broader context, God’s favor provides the courage to brave challenges, the strength to overcome personal limitations, and the conviction to adhere to God’s will. This helps believers navigate life’s uncertainties, making the difficult manageable and the impossible achievable.
When Do Believers Experience God’s Favor?
Verses in the Bible suggest that God’s favor isn’t confined to specific situations, seasons, or circumstances. Favor can manifest during moments of hardship as much as moments of celebration. God’s favor can touch a believer’s life during periods of personal growth, adversity, or change. It isn’t dependent on outside circumstances, but rather it emanates from God’s abundance and mercy. Understanding God’s favor, then, invites an exploration into a reality beyond one’s physical experience, entering a realm where divine grace becomes a transformative force.
Below is our full list of bible verses on favor (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Favor
Psalm 90:17
“17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”
Related Themes: Hands Work Working Together Labor
Psalm 5:12
“12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”
Related Themes: Safety
Psalm 84:11
“11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
Related Themes: Prosperity
Psalm 30:5
“5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Related Themes: Joy Patience Depression Tears
Ephesians 1:11
“11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Complaining Inheritance
Luke 2:52
“52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
Related Themes: Learning Children Education Omnipotence
Proverbs 3:1-4
“1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”
Related Themes: Discernment Trust Respecting Your Parents Reputation Success
Isaiah 58:11
“11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”
Related Themes: Health Water Guidance Satisfaction
Proverbs 18:22
“22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”
Psalm 102:13
“13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.”
Genesis 18:3
“3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:”
Related Themes: Omnipotence
Esther 2:15-18
“15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.”
Genesis 39:4
“4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
“8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Related Themes: Faith Grace Life Pride Repentance
Matthew 6:31-33
“31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Proverbs 3:3-4
“3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Love Loyalty Reputation
Psalm 106:4
“4 Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;”
Proverbs 3:33-35
“33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.”
Daniel 1:9
“9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.”
Exodus 33:17
“17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.”
John 1:16
“16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”
Proverbs 3:34
“34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”
Exodus 3:21
“21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:”
Psalm 89:17
“17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.”
Numbers 6:25-26
“25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
Matthew 5:8
“8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
Luke 1:30
“30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.”
Related Themes: Fear
Proverbs 3:4
“4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”
Esther 2:8-9
“8 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.”
