In biblical times, the role of a jeweller was significant, as jewelry held both aesthetic and symbolic importance in ancient cultures, including those of the Israelites. The craft of jewelry-making is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, highlighting its value and the skill required to produce such items.

Biblical References and Context

Jewelry is often associated with wealth, beauty, and status in the Scriptures. In Genesis 24:22, Abraham's servant gives Rebekah a gold nose ring and bracelets as a sign of her selection as Isaac's bride: "When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold." This passage illustrates the use of jewelry as a gift and a symbol of betrothal.

The Israelites were also instructed to use their jewelry in the construction of the Tabernacle. In Exodus 35:22, the people brought their jewelry as offerings: "So all who had willing hearts, both men and women, came and brought brooches, earrings, rings, and necklaces—all kinds of gold jewelry—and they presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD." This act of giving highlights the spiritual significance and sacrificial nature of their offerings.

Craftsmanship and Symbolism

The skill of the jeweller is evident in the detailed descriptions of the priestly garments, particularly the breastplate of judgment worn by the High Priest. Exodus 28:17-20 describes the intricate work involved: "And mount on it a setting of gemstones—four rows of stones: The first row shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald; the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row shall be a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; the fourth row shall be a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. Mount these stones in gold filigree settings." The jeweller's craftsmanship was essential in creating these sacred objects, which held deep spiritual meaning.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

Jewelry in the Bible is not only a symbol of beauty and wealth but also serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths. In Proverbs 25:12, wise counsel is compared to fine jewelry: "Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear." This comparison underscores the value of wisdom and the importance of heeding godly advice.

However, the Bible also warns against the misuse of jewelry as a symbol of pride or idolatry. In Isaiah 3:16-21, the prophet condemns the daughters of Zion for their haughty demeanor and excessive adornment, predicting that their finery will be stripped away as a consequence of their pride and disobedience.

Conclusion

The role of the jeweller in biblical times was multifaceted, involving artistry, skill, and an understanding of the cultural and spiritual significance of their creations. Jewelry served as a means of adornment, a symbol of covenant relationships, and a metaphor for spiritual truths, reflecting both the beauty and the moral lessons found within the biblical narrative.

Introduction
... more perfect. For, as the person in question says, the jeweller was less
experienced when he fashioned the previous one. Moreover ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/introduction.htm

The Resurrection Consistent with the Opinions of the Philosophers.
... and receiving the same arrangement and position, they should make a body of like
nature to what was formerly produced by them; as if a jeweller should make in ...
/.../chapter vi the resurrection consistent with.htm

List of Illustrations. Page Union Church
... BATHING GHAT, BENARES.48 A JEWELLER AT WORK.53 THE WELL AT CAWNPORE.219 RUINS OF
THE RESIDENCY, LUCKNOW.223 THE LA MARTINIERE, LUCKNOW.227 TEMPLE IN THE ...
/.../list of illustrations page union.htm

The City of Benares.
... Perhaps at the present time more eyes are turned reverently towards it than to any
city on the face of the earth. [Illustration: A JEWELLER AT WORK.]. ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter vii the city of.htm

Caste viewed as a Doer
... a Christian, no one will buy his goods; if he is a weaver, no one will buy his cloth;
if he is a dyer, no one will buy his thread; if he is a jeweller, no one ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xi caste viewed as.htm

Love is the Touchstone by which the Reality of Truth is Perceived. ...
... With one still in his hand he returned to the city, and as he passed along the bazaar
a jeweller caught sight of it, and told the silly fellow that it was a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section ii 1 love is.htm

Prologue: the Parentage and Birth of Marie Francoise Therese ...
... faithful servant. In 1871 he was able to give up his business as a jeweller,
and retire to a house in the Rue St. Blaise. The making ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/prologue the parentage & birth.htm

Prologue: the Parentage and Birth of Marie Fran??oise Therese ...
... faithful servant. In 1871 he was able to give up his business as a jeweller,
and retire to a house in the Rue St. Blaise. The making ...
/.../therese/story of a soul/prologue the parentage & birth.htm

In Jerusalem when Herod Reigned
... attractive occupations of the butcher, the wool-comber, or the flaxspinner were
pursued: the elegant workmanship of the goldsmith and jeweller; the various ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i in jerusalem when.htm

Mission Tours.
... Of the Taj and other grand structures of the Muhammadan emperors, he says they
look as if "built by a giant and furnished by a jeweller.". ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xiv mission tours.htm

Jeweller (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jeweller (1 Occurrence). Exodus 28:11 With the
work of a jeweller, like the cutting of a stamp, the names ...
/j/jeweller.htm - 6k

Jewelry (18 Occurrences)

/j/jewelry.htm - 11k

Jewelled (2 Occurrences)

/j/jewelled.htm - 7k

Jeweler (1 Occurrence)
... Exodus 28:11 With the work of a jeweller, like the cutting of a stamp, the names
of the children of Israel are to be cut on them, and they are to be fixed in ...
/j/jeweler.htm - 6k

Frames (47 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:11 With the work of a jeweller, like the cutting of a stamp, the names
of the children of Israel are to be cut on them, and they are to be fixed in ...
/f/frames.htm - 17k

Twisted (79 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:11 With the work of a jeweller, like the cutting of a stamp, the names
of the children of Israel are to be cut on them, and they are to be fixed in ...
/t/twisted.htm - 28k

Cutter (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:11 With the work of a jeweller, like the cutting of a stamp, the names
of the children of Israel are to be cut on them, and they are to be fixed in ...
/c/cutter.htm - 8k

Stamp (25 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:11 With the work of a jeweller, like the cutting of a stamp, the names
of the children of Israel are to be cut on them, and they are to be fixed in ...
/s/stamp.htm - 16k

Cutting (178 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:11 With the work of a jeweller, like the cutting of a stamp, the names
of the children of Israel are to be cut on them, and they are to be fixed in ...
/c/cutting.htm - 46k

Fixed (284 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:11 With the work of a jeweller, like the cutting of a stamp, the names
of the children of Israel are to be cut on them, and they are to be fixed in ...
/f/fixed.htm - 35k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus