In biblical times, ear-rings were ornamental items worn by both men and women, serving various cultural, social, and religious purposes. The use of ear-rings is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, reflecting their significance in ancient Near Eastern societies.

Cultural and Social Significance

Ear-rings were often made of precious metals such as gold and silver, and sometimes adorned with jewels. They were a symbol of wealth and status, indicating the wearer's social standing. In Genesis 24:22, Abraham's servant gives Rebekah a gold nose ring and bracelets as part of the bridal gifts, highlighting the use of jewelry in betrothal and marriage customs: "When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels."

Religious and Idolatrous Associations

Ear-rings also had religious connotations and were sometimes associated with idolatry. In Exodus 32:2-4, Aaron instructs the Israelites to remove their gold ear-rings to create the golden calf, an idol they worshiped while Moses was on Mount Sinai: "So Aaron told them, 'Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.' Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf."

This incident underscores the potential for jewelry, including ear-rings, to be misused in the context of idol worship, a practice strongly condemned in the Scriptures.

Symbol of Devotion and Consecration

Conversely, ear-rings could also symbolize devotion and consecration to God. In Numbers 31:50, the Israelites offer gold jewelry, including ear-rings, as an offering to the Lord after a victorious battle: "So we have brought as an offering to the LORD the gold articles each of us acquired—armlets, bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces—to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD."

Cultural Practices and Personal Adornment

In addition to their religious significance, ear-rings were part of personal adornment practices. Isaiah 3:18-21 describes the finery of the daughters of Zion, including ear-rings, as part of a broader critique of their pride and vanity: "In that day the Lord will take away the finery of their anklets and headbands and crescents, the pendants, bracelets, and veils, the headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes, the perfume bottles, and charms, the signet rings and nose rings."

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, ear-rings are depicted as multifaceted objects, serving as symbols of wealth, cultural identity, religious devotion, and, at times, idolatry. Their presence in biblical narratives provides insight into the customs and values of ancient societies, as well as the spiritual lessons conveyed through their use and misuse.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. ...
/hebrew/5141.htm - 6k

3908. lachash -- a whispering, charming
... prayer (1). charmed, earring, enchantment, orator, prayer. From lachash;
properly, a whisper, ie By implication, (in a good sense ...
/hebrew/3908.htm - 6k

5694. agil -- a hoop, ring
... earring. From the same as agol; something round, ie A ring (for the ears) -- earring.
see HEBREW agol. 5693, 5694. agil. 5695 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5694.htm - 6k

The God of the Living.
... perplexity in our Lord's teaching, that he is too simple for us; that while we are
questioning with ourselves about the design of Solomon's earring upon some ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the god of the living.htm

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... For why not the nose too?"so that, what was spoken, may be fulfilled: "As an
ear-ring in a swine's nose, so is beauty to a woman without discretion." [1675 ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

July 6 Morning
... As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon
an obedient ear."Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/july 6 morning.htm

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... few sentences of description. The ear-ring was either plain, or had a drop,
a pendant, or a little bell inserted. The nose-ring, which ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

What was Heard in the Basilica of Peace
... Elsewhere, he reminds his audience of those men who wear an earring as a talisman;
of the dealings between traders and sailors"a comparison which would go ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii what was heard in.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
Lectures of S. Cyril of Jerusalem. <. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Earring (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EARRING. ... See AMULET; ORNAMENT. George. B.
Eager. Multi-Version Concordance Earring (7 Occurrences). ...
/e/earring.htm - 10k

Ear-ring (6 Occurrences)
Ear-ring. Earring, Ear-ring. Earrings . Multi-Version Concordance Ear-ring
(6 Occurrences). ... (ASV DBY JPS WBS). Earring, Ear-ring. Earrings . Reference
/e/ear-ring.htm - 8k

Nosejewels
... ring"; "jewel on thy forehead," Ezekiel 16:12, "ring upon thy nose"): In Genesis
24:22, the King James Version rendered incorrectly "earring"; compare Genesis ...
/n/nosejewels.htm - 8k

Nose-jewels (1 Occurrence)
... ring"; "jewel on thy forehead," Ezekiel 16:12, "ring upon thy nose"): In Genesis
24:22, the King James Version rendered incorrectly "earring"; compare Genesis ...
/n/nose-jewels.htm - 9k

Seal-ring (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 And they come in -- the men with the women -- every willing-hearted
one -- they have brought in nose-ring, and ear-ring, and seal-ring, and ...
/s/seal-ring.htm - 7k

Ring (33 Occurrences)
...Earring (which see) in the King James Version is from totally different words: nezem,
whose etymology is unknown, aghil, "round," or lachash, "amulet"; so the ...
/r/ring.htm - 24k

Earrings (14 Occurrences)

/e/earrings.htm - 11k

Necklace (9 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 And they come in -- the men with the women -- every willing-hearted
one -- they have brought in nose-ring, and ear-ring, and seal-ring, and ...
/n/necklace.htm - 10k

Jewel (12 Occurrences)
... nezem (Proverbs 11:22 Isaiah 3:21 Ezekiel 16:12); the American Standard Revised
Version changes Proverbs 11:22 to "ring" Septuagint here = "earring"), and both ...
/j/jewel.htm - 12k

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