Topical Encyclopedia
Earrings, as a form of adornment, are mentioned several times in the Bible, serving various cultural, religious, and symbolic purposes. In biblical times, earrings were worn by both men and women and were often made of precious metals such as gold and silver. They could signify wealth, status, or even religious devotion.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, earrings are first mentioned in the context of the patriarchal narratives. In
Genesis 24:22, Abraham's servant gives Rebekah a gold nose ring and bracelets as a sign of betrothal to Isaac. Although this passage specifically mentions a nose ring, it highlights the cultural practice of wearing jewelry as a symbol of commitment and wealth.
Earrings also appear in the account of Jacob. In
Genesis 35:4, Jacob instructs his household to "get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, purify yourselves and change your clothes." They then give Jacob all the foreign gods and the earrings they were wearing, which he buries under the oak near Shechem. This act suggests that earrings may have been associated with idolatry or pagan practices, necessitating their removal in a return to covenant faithfulness.
In
Exodus 32:2-3, Aaron instructs the Israelites to take off their gold earrings to create the golden calf, a significant act of rebellion against God. The earrings, in this case, are melted down to form an idol, highlighting the potential misuse of adornments in leading people away from true worship.
New Testament ContextThe New Testament does not specifically mention earrings, but it does address the broader topic of adornment. In
1 Peter 3:3-4, women are advised, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight." This passage emphasizes the importance of inner beauty over external adornment, suggesting a focus on spiritual virtues rather than material displays.
Cultural and Symbolic SignificanceThroughout biblical history, earrings have held various cultural and symbolic meanings. They were often given as gifts or used as currency, reflecting their value in ancient societies. In some instances, earrings were associated with idolatry or foreign gods, as seen in the accounts of Jacob and the golden calf. However, they could also be symbols of wealth and status, as in the case of Rebekah's betrothal gifts.
ConclusionEarrings in the Bible serve as a reminder of the cultural practices of ancient times and the potential for material objects to distract from spiritual devotion. While they can signify beauty and status, the biblical narrative often points to the greater importance of inner character and faithfulness to God.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
EarringsThe material of which earrings were made was generally gold, (Exodus 32:2) and their form circular. They were worn by women and by youth of both sexes. These ornaments appear to have been regarded with superstitious reverence as an amulet. On this account they were surrendered along with the idols by Jacob's household. (Genesis 35:4) Chardin describes earrings with talismanic figures and characters on them as still existing in the East. Jewels were sometimes attached to the rings. The size of the earrings still worn in eastern countries far exceeds what is usual among ourselves; hence they formed a handsome present, (Job 42:11) or offering to the service of God. (Numbers 31:50)
ATS Bible Dictionary
EarringsSeeRINGS.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Rings properly for the ear (
Genesis 35:4;
Numbers 31:50;
Ezek. 16:12). In
Genesis 24:47 the word means a nose-jewel, and is so rendered in the Revised Version. In Isaiah 3:20 the Authorized Version has "ear-rings," and the Revised Version "amulets," which more correctly represents the original word (lehashim), which means incantations; charms, thus remedies against enchantment, worn either suspended from the neck or in the ears of females. Ear-rings were ornaments used by both sexes (
Exodus 32:2).
Strong's Hebrew
5188. netiphah -- a drop, pendant... 5187, 5188. netiphah. 5189 . a drop, pendant. Transliteration: netiphah
Phonetic Spelling: (net-ee-faw') Short Definition:
earrings.
...5694. agil -- a hoop, ring
... 5693, 5694. agil. 5695 . a hoop, ring. Transliteration: agil Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-gheel') Short Definition:earrings. Word Origin...
5141. nezem -- a ring (worn as an ornament)
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a ring (worn as an ornament) NASB
Word Usage earring (3),earrings (4), ring (6), rings (4). earring, jewel....
Library
May 18 Evening
... Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would
give me every man theearrings of his prey. (For they had...
The Golden Calf
... the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of
him.2. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the goldenearrings, which are in...
Under the Three Pastors, --There were Manifold Shepherds
... 5. Aaron stripped off from the ears,"theearrings and made a calf."That lifeless
calf in secret,"pierced and slaughtered the camp:"those who had...
Letter ccxlv. To Possidius
... 2. As for the accursed superstition of wearing amulets (among which theearrings
worn by men at the top of the ear on one side are to be reckoned), it is...
The Great Furnace for a Great Soul
... This is not difficult to manage, for the gwei, though powerful to work evil, is
a simple creature, and it is sufficient for him to seeearrings dangling from...
Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments.
... decoration. Accordingly the comic poet Nicostratus says, "Chains, collars,
rings, bracelets, serpents, anklets,earrings." [1560]....
Nor Should I Think it Needful to Discuss Whether God Pursues a...
... [8246] Aaron is importuned, and commands that theearrings of their women
be brought together, that they may be thrown into the fire....
The Demons Sin among Mankind.
... This limping manufacturer of buckles andearrings, as is likely, deceived the
motherless child and orphan with these girlish ornaments....
Guests at an Imperial Banquet
... Marsa, Castricia, and Epigraphia"in their upper robes of gauze, woven in gold with
scenes from the Gospels, their necklaces, theirearrings, their hands...
To the Same Again.
... ye lift up your pretty hair one by one on your painted brow; ye anoint your cheeks
with some sort of ruddy colour laid on; and, moreover,earrings hang down...
Thesaurus
Earrings (14 Occurrences)...Earrings (14 Occurrences).
... (KJV NIV). Exodus 32:3 And all the people brake off the
golden
earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
...Earring (7 Occurrences)
... The ears in the statue of the Medicean Venus are pierced and probably were
originally ornamented withearrings. It is clear, however...
Rings (46 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and
brought brooches,earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold...
Bracelets (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted,
and brought bracelets, andearrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold...
Ear-rings (12 Occurrences)
Ear-rings.Earrings, Ear-rings. Ears . Multi-Version Concordance Ear-rings
(12 Occurrences).... (See JPS WBS).Earrings, Ear-rings. Ears . Reference Bible
Plunder (118 Occurrences)
... Judges 8:24 Gideon said to them, "I would make a request of you, that you would
give me every man theearrings of his spoil." (For they had goldenearrings...
Jewels (54 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 35:22 They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted,
and brought brooches,earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold...
Ring (33 Occurrences)
... Judges 8:24 Gideon said to them, "I would make a request of you, that you would
give me every man theearrings of his spoil." (For they had goldenearrings...
Spoil (140 Occurrences)
... Judges 8:24 Gideon said to them, "I would make a request of you, that you would
give me every man theearrings of his spoil." (For they had goldenearrings...
Prey (105 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Judges 8:24 And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of
you, that ye would give me every man theearrings of his prey....
Resources
Should Christian men or women wear earrings? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about body piercings? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about the Christian Life (All) | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
