Ear piercing, the practice of creating a small hole in the earlobe or other parts of the ear to insert jewelry, has been a cultural and religious practice throughout history, including in biblical times. The Bible provides several references that can be interpreted to relate to the practice of ear piercing, often within the context of servitude, adornment, and cultural customs.

Servitude and Ear Piercing:

One of the most direct references to ear piercing in the Bible is found in the context of servitude. In the Old Testament, the practice is mentioned as a sign of a voluntary, lifelong commitment of a servant to their master. In Exodus 21:5-6 , it is written: "But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children; I do not want to go free,’ then his master is to bring him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life." This passage indicates that ear piercing was a ritualistic act symbolizing loyalty and a permanent bond between a servant and his master.

Similarly, Deuteronomy 15:16-17 reiterates this practice: "But if your servant says to you, ‘I do not want to leave you,’ because he loves you and your household and is well off with you, then take an awl and pierce it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your servant for life. And do the same for your maidservant."

Adornment and Cultural Customs:

Ear piercing is also associated with adornment and beauty in the Scriptures. While the Bible does not explicitly mention ear piercing as a form of adornment, it does reference the wearing of earrings, which implies the practice of piercing. In Genesis 35:4 , Jacob instructs his household to remove foreign gods and earrings: "So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods in their possession, and the earrings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem." This suggests that earrings were a common form of adornment among the people.

In Ezekiel 16:12 , God describes His adornment of Jerusalem with jewelry, including earrings: "I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head." This metaphorical language illustrates the use of earrings as symbols of beauty and blessing.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern culture, ear piercing and the wearing of earrings were common practices among various peoples, including the Israelites. Earrings were often made of precious metals and stones, serving as symbols of wealth, status, and identity. The practice of ear piercing, therefore, was not only a personal choice but also a reflection of cultural norms and values.

Spiritual and Moral Considerations:

From a spiritual perspective, the Bible emphasizes modesty and the inner beauty of a person over outward adornment. In 1 Peter 3:3-4 , it is 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." While this passage does not specifically address ear piercing, it provides guidance on the importance of prioritizing spiritual virtues over physical appearance.

In summary, ear piercing in the Bible is mentioned in contexts of servitude and adornment, reflecting cultural practices of the time. The Scriptures provide insights into the symbolic meanings and societal roles associated with this practice, while also encouraging believers to focus on inner spiritual beauty.Exodus 21:6
Then his master shall bring him to the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or to the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever.
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1 Corinthians 6:19
What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?
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1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?
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Deuteronomy 14:1
You are the children of the LORD your God: you shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.
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Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
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Exodus 35:22
And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold to the LORD.
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Judges 8:24
And Gideon said to them, I would desire a request of you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
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Numbers 31:50
We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man has gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD.
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Detaining Christ
... and disturbing the fine nerves of the disciples, but causing no movements nor any
sign that He even heard, or if He heard, heeded, the ear-piercing and heart ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/detaining christ.htm

The Son of Thunder
... Still and silently it broods till its time is come. And then there is one
ear- piercing crack, one blinding flash, and all is over. ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xvii the son of thunder.htm

Like one of Us.
... me." For our present purpose it is immaterial whether one says with Junius: "The
ear is a member of the body; by the piercing of the ear hearing becomes ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvii like one of us.htm

Parables of the Mustard Seed and of the Leaven. (Luke, xiii. 18-21 ...
... Piercing the veil which obscured the future from ordinary eyes, he saw the spiritual ...
bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that ...
/.../section 211 parables of the.htm

A Prayer for Lord's Day.
... and trifles, fly; Where God resides appear no more; Omniscient God, thy piercing
eye Can ... May every ear the call obey; Be every heart a humble guest; O bid the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/10 a prayer for.htm

Elegance and Grace
... absolute empire they ought to have, when they strike only the ear, and when ... their
parents and relations; here the dismal shrieks of women and piercing cries of ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/elegance and grace.htm

The Resurrection.
... and beautiful.3. It is sown a single corn, it riseth a full ear.4. It ... of their giving
him gall and vinegar, of their parting his raiment and piercing his hands ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxv the resurrection.htm

Clii Quia Amore Langueo
... But tears, and sighs, and sobs, and sudden shrieks; Thus if your piercing words
should chance to bore. His harkening ear, and move a sigh, give o'er. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/clii quia amore langueo.htm

Gethsemane
... in his flurry and in the darkness, only managing to shear off a poor slave's ear. ...
The last incident here is Christ's piercing rebuke, addressed, not to the poor ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/gethsemane.htm

The King's Courts
... indifference, and rings up into the house of your life, where the soul seeks to
close its ear in vain. It is a sad, monotonous, heart-piercing cry which that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/x the kings courts.htm

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