In biblical times, the nose-ring was a form of jewelry commonly worn by women, and it is mentioned in several passages of Scripture. The nose-ring, often made of gold or other precious metals, served as an adornment and a symbol of wealth and status. It is important to understand the cultural and historical context of the nose-ring to appreciate its significance in biblical narratives.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 24:22, 47 : The earliest mention of a nose-ring in the Bible is found in the account of Rebekah. When Abraham's servant sought a wife for Isaac, he gave Rebekah a gold nose-ring as a token of betrothal. "After the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels for her wrists" (Genesis 24:22). Later, the servant recounts, "And I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her wrists" (Genesis 24:47). This act signified Rebekah's selection as Isaac's bride and her acceptance into Abraham's family.

2. Ezekiel 16:12 : In this passage, God uses the imagery of a nose-ring to describe His adornment of Jerusalem, symbolizing His covenant relationship with the city. "And I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head." Here, the nose-ring is part of a larger metaphor illustrating God's lavish care and the honor bestowed upon Jerusalem.

3. Proverbs 11:22 : The nose-ring is also used metaphorically in Proverbs to convey a moral lesson. "Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion." This proverb contrasts the value and beauty of a gold nose-ring with the incongruity of placing it in a pig's snout, emphasizing the importance of inner virtue over outward appearance.

Cultural Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, nose-rings were a common form of jewelry and were often given as gifts or used in marriage customs. They were typically worn by women, though there is evidence that men in some cultures also wore them. The nose-ring was not only a decorative item but also a sign of wealth and social status. In some cases, it could indicate a woman's marital status or be part of a dowry.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

The use of nose-rings in the Bible carries both literal and symbolic meanings. Literally, they were valuable items of personal adornment. Symbolically, they could represent commitment, as seen in the account of Rebekah, or be used to illustrate moral and spiritual truths, as in the book of Proverbs. The biblical references to nose-rings highlight the importance of understanding cultural practices to fully grasp the messages conveyed in Scripture.

In summary, the nose-ring in biblical times was a significant cultural artifact, serving both as a physical adornment and a symbol with deeper meanings in the narratives and teachings of the Bible.5141. nezem -- a ring (worn as an ornament)
... earring, jewel. From an unused root of uncertain meaning; a nose-ring -- earring,
jewel. 5140, 5141. nezem. 5142 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5141.htm - 6k

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... The nose-ring, which the traditional law ordered to be put aside on the Sabbath,
hung gracefully over the upper lip, yet so as not to interfere with the salute ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

Chapter xxiv
... True, according to v.47 Genesis 24:47, the n??zem was a nose ring; cf. also
Isaiah 3:21; Ezekiel 16:12; Proverbs 11:22. But since ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiv.htm

Appendix xvii. The Ordinances and Law of the Sabbath as Laid Down ...
... as could be taken off in the street, such as a frontlet, unless it is attached to
the cap, nor with a gold crown, nor with a necklace or nose-ring, nor with ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvii the ordinances and.htm

The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ...
... as could be taken off in the street, such as a frontlet, unless it is attached to
the cap, nor with a gold crown, nor with a necklace or nose-ring, nor with ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/i the women of the.htm

Nose-ring (4 Occurrences)
Nose-ring. Nose-jewels, Nose-ring. Nose-rings . Multi-Version
Concordance Nose-ring (4 Occurrences). Genesis 24:22 And ...
/n/nose-ring.htm - 7k

Nose-jewels (1 Occurrence)
Nose-jewels. Nosejewels, Nose-jewels. Nose-ring . ... Isaiah 3:21 the rings, and
the nose-jewels; (See JPS ASV BBE WBS). Nosejewels, Nose-jewels. Nose-ring > ...
/n/nose-jewels.htm - 9k

Ornaments (50 Occurrences)
... Genesis 24:22 And when the camels had had enough, the man took a gold nose-ring,
half a shekel in weight, and two ornaments for her arms of ten shekels weight ...
/o/ornaments.htm - 22k

Forehead (23 Occurrences)
... The "jewel on thy forehead" mentioned in Ezek. 16:12 (RV, "a ring upon thy nose")
was in all probability the "nose-ring" (Isaiah 3:21). In Ezek. ...
/f/forehead.htm - 19k

Nosejewels
... noz-ju'-elz, -joo'-elz (nezem (probably from nazam, "muzzle") a "nose-ring," or
"nose-jewel," so rendered in Isaiah 3:21; "jewel in a swine's snout," Proverbs ...
/n/nosejewels.htm - 8k

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

Nose-rings (5 Occurrences)
Nose-rings. Nose-ring, Nose-rings. Noses . Multi-Version Concordance Nose-rings
(5 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Nose-ring, Nose-rings. Noses . Reference Bible.
/n/nose-rings.htm - 7k

Jewel (12 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JEWEL. ju'-el, joo'-el: An ornament of gold, silver
or of precious stones in the form of armlet, bracelet, anklet, nose-ring, etc. ...
/j/jewel.htm - 12k

Water-spring (16 Occurrences)
... Genesis 24:30 And when he saw the nose-ring and the ornaments on his sister's hands,
and when she gave him word of what the man had said to her, then he went ...
/w/water-spring.htm - 11k

Bracelet (5 Occurrences)
... bracelets. (4.) In Exodus 35:22 it designates properly a clasp for fastening
the dress of females. Some interpret it as a nose-ring. (5 ...
/b/bracelet.htm - 13k

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