Definition and Cultural Context:
Earrings are ornamental jewelry worn on the ears, often made of metal, precious stones, or other materials. In biblical times, earrings were commonly worn by both men and women and held cultural, social, and religious significance. They were often used as symbols of wealth, status, and identity.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 24:22, 30, 47 :
Earrings are first mentioned in the context of the account of Rebekah. When Abraham's servant sought a wife for Isaac, he gave Rebekah a gold ring and two bracelets as gifts. The term "ring" in some translations is understood to mean an earring or nose ring. "After the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels."

2. Exodus 32:2-3 :
Earrings were used in the making of the golden calf, an idol created by the Israelites during Moses' absence on Mount Sinai. Aaron instructed the people to take off their gold earrings, which were then melted down to form the idol. "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."

3. Judges 8:24-26 :
Gideon requested earrings from the spoils of war after defeating the Midianites, who were known for wearing gold earrings. The collected earrings were used to make an ephod, which later became a snare to Gideon and his family. "Gideon continued, 'I would like to make a request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.' (For the enemies had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)"

4. Proverbs 25:12 :
Earrings are used metaphorically to describe the value of wise counsel. "Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear."

5. Ezekiel 16:12 :
In a metaphorical description of Jerusalem, God speaks of adorning the city with jewelry, including earrings, as a symbol of beauty and blessing. "I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head."

Cultural and Religious Significance:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, earrings were not merely decorative but often carried deeper meanings. They could signify allegiance to a deity, as seen in the case of the golden calf, or represent a covenant or agreement. Earrings were also part of bridal gifts and dowries, indicating their role in social and familial transactions.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

Earrings in the Bible can symbolize both positive and negative aspects. Positively, they are associated with beauty, wealth, and the adornment of God's people. Negatively, they can represent idolatry and the turning away from God, as seen in the creation of the golden calf. The dual nature of earrings in scripture reflects the broader biblical theme of the heart's orientation—whether towards God or away from Him.

Conclusion:

The use of earrings in biblical narratives provides insight into the cultural practices of the time and serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths. Whether as gifts, spoils of war, or symbols of idolatry, earrings in the Bible remind readers of the importance of devotion and the dangers of turning material blessings into objects of worship.(n.) An ornament consisting of a ring passed through the lobe of the ear, with or without a pendant.EARRING

er'-ring:

An ornamental pendant of some kind hanging from the ears has been worn by both sexes in oriental lands from the earliest times. Among the Greeks and Romans, as with western peoples in general, its use was confined to females. The ears in the statue of the Medicean Venus are pierced and probably were originally ornamented with earrings. It is clear, however, that among the Hebrews and related oriental peoples earrings were worn by both sexes. Abraham's servant "put the earring upon (Rebekah's) face, and the bracelets upon her hands" (Genesis 24:47 King James Version), in accordance with custom, evidently, but it is implied that it was customary for men also to wear earrings, in that the relatives and friends of Job "every one (gave him) an earring of gold" (Job 42:11 King James Version).

Such ornaments were usually made of gold, finely wrought, and often set with precious stones, as archaeology has shown. Such jewels were worn in ancient times for protective as well as for decorative purposes. the Revised Version (British and American) renders "amulets" for the King James Version "earrings" in Isaiah 3:20, the Hebrew word (lechashim) being elsewhere associated with serpent-charming; but the earrings of Genesis 35:4, also, were more than mere ornaments, so the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) may both be right in their renderings here (Kennedy). The influence of Egypt, where amulets of various kinds were worn by men and gods, by the living and the dead, is shown by recent excavations at Gezer, Taanach and Megiddo.

See AMULET; ORNAMENT.

George. B. Eager

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reprover (7 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is
a wise reprover to an obedient ear. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/r/reprover.htm - 8k

Earns (3 Occurrences)

/e/earns.htm - 7k

Drop (32 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which resembles, or that which hangs like, a liquid drop; as a hanging
diamond ornament, an earring, a glass pendant on a chandelier, a sugarplum ...
/d/drop.htm - 20k

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