Topical Bible: Women: Fond of Ornaments

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In the biblical narrative, the adornment of women with ornaments is a recurring theme that reflects cultural practices, spiritual symbolism, and moral teachings. The Scriptures provide various accounts and instructions regarding the use of ornaments, often highlighting the tension between external beauty and inner virtue.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently mentions the use of ornaments by women, often as a sign of wealth, status, or beauty. 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, indicating the cultural acceptance of such adornments. Similarly, in Isaiah 3:18-23, the prophet lists various ornaments worn by the women of Zion, including anklets, headbands, and earrings, as part of a broader critique of their pride and vanity.

The use of ornaments is also seen in the context of idolatry and spiritual infidelity. In Exodus 32:2-4, Aaron instructs the Israelites to remove their gold earrings to create the golden calf, symbolizing a departure from faithfulness to God. This incident underscores the potential for ornaments to become objects of idolatry or to distract from spiritual devotion.

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament offers guidance on the adornment of women, emphasizing modesty and the cultivation of inner beauty. In 1 Peter 3:3-4 , the apostle Peter advises, "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." This passage highlights the priority of inner character over external appearance.

Similarly, in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 , Paul instructs women to dress modestly and with decency, "not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." These teachings reflect a concern for the heart's condition and the expression of faith through actions rather than mere physical appearance.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Ornaments in the Bible often carry symbolic meanings, representing spiritual truths or moral lessons. In Ezekiel 16:11-13, God describes adorning Jerusalem with jewelry and fine clothing, symbolizing His lavish love and care for His people. However, the subsequent misuse of these gifts for idolatry serves as a warning against allowing material beauty to overshadow spiritual fidelity.

The biblical narrative encourages a balance between appreciating beauty and maintaining a focus on spiritual virtues. While ornaments can enhance physical appearance, the Scriptures consistently call for a deeper commitment to cultivating a heart aligned with God's will. The adornment of women, therefore, becomes a metaphor for the adornment of the soul, where true beauty is found in righteousness and devotion to God.

Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 2:32
Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

On Shoes.
... Women fond of display act in the same manner with regard to shoes, showing also ... Base,
in truth, are those sandals on which golden ornaments are fastened; but ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the instructor paedagogus/chap xii on shoes.htm

Letter cxxviii. To Gaudentius.
... to virginity clothe her in sombre garments, wrap her up in a dark cloak, and let
her have neither linen nor gold ornaments. ... Women are fond of finery and ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxviii to gaudentius.htm

The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ...
... The reason for this prohibition of ornaments was, that in ... We now turn to those women
of the Gospels who ... of the Blessed Virgin; never has fond adoration built ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/i the women of the.htm

Christ the Best Husband: or an Earnest Invitation to Young Women ...
... is set forth, in regard of her ornaments, companions, attendants ... sin is your husband,
and you are too fond of it ... Let me speak unto you, young women, who are not ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the best husband or.htm

Against Embellishing the Body.
... inner depths, as is the case with the ornaments of the ... But to those who are fond
of gold, and purple, and ... Plutus [1585] is blind, are not those women that are ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii against embellishing the body.htm

On Clothes.
... desire to grasp this alone, leaving the ornaments of earth ... serves God; but when she
becomes fond of finery ... to give pleasure, forming a sketch of wanton women. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi name clothes.htm

Matt. xxvii. 62-64.
... What then is the profit of these ornaments and this ... For the neighboring women stung
by it, arm themselves against ... thee, but they jeer at thee, as fond of dress ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxix matt xxvii 62-64.htm

John x. 22-24
... worthy of men; so also do ten thousand other women. ... thou art not evilly disposed,
not fond of expense ... if the (wife's) face be covered with ornaments, while the ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxi john x 22-24.htm

1 Thessalonians iv. 9, 10
... Hear this, ye women, as many of you as are fond of wailing ... we men love our wives
more than God, and we women honor our ... Did he put gold ornaments about thy face? ...
/.../homily vi 1 thessalonians iv.htm

On Dress
... or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness ... Every one of you
that is fond of dress has ... pleasing God alone, and all these ornaments will drop ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 88 on dress.htm