Introduction:
Pearls are precious gemstones formed within the shells of certain mollusks, particularly oysters. In biblical times, pearls were highly valued for their beauty and rarity, often symbolizing wealth, wisdom, and the kingdom of heaven. They are mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, illustrating their significance in ancient culture and spiritual teachings.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 7:6 :
"Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."
· In this passage, Jesus uses pearls metaphorically to represent valuable teachings or truths. The admonition is to discern the appropriate audience for sharing sacred wisdom, as not everyone will appreciate or respect it.

2. Matthew 13:45-46 :
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it."
· Here, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a pearl of great value, emphasizing the worth of spiritual truth and the sacrifices one should be willing to make to attain it. The parable highlights the supreme value of the kingdom of heaven over earthly possessions.

3. 1 Timothy 2:9 :
"Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes."
· The apostle Paul advises women in the church to focus on inner beauty and godliness rather than external adornments. Pearls, along with other luxurious items, are mentioned to illustrate the contrast between worldly and spiritual values.

4. Revelation 17:4 :
"The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality."
· In this apocalyptic vision, pearls are part of the opulent attire of the symbolic woman, representing the seductive allure and corruption of Babylon. The imagery underscores the deceptive nature of worldly wealth and power.

5. Revelation 21:21 :
"And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, as pure as transparent glass."
· In the description of the New Jerusalem, the gates made of single pearls signify the immense beauty and value of the heavenly city. This imagery conveys the perfection and splendor of God's eternal kingdom.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the ancient world, pearls were among the most coveted of gemstones, often associated with royalty and the elite. The process of pearl formation, involving the gradual accumulation of layers around an irritant within an oyster, can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual growth and the development of character through trials.

Symbolism and Interpretation:
Pearls in the Bible often symbolize purity, wisdom, and the inestimable value of the kingdom of God. They serve as a reminder of the importance of seeking spiritual treasures over material wealth. The use of pearls in biblical parables and visions underscores the transformative power of divine truth and the ultimate reward of eternal life with God.Pearls

Were ranked by the ancients among the most precious substances, Revelation 17:4, and were highly valued as ornaments for women. Their modest splendor still charms the Orientals, and a string of pearls is a favorite decoration of eastern monarchs. The kingdom of heaven is compared to a goodly pearl, so superior to all others that the pearl merchant sold all others that he could obtain for it the highest price, Matthew 13:45,46. The gates of heaven are described as consisting of pearls; "every several gate was one pearl," Revelation 21:21. The Savior forbade his apostles to cast their pearls before swine, Matthew 7:6; that is, to expose the precious truths of the gospel unnecessarily to those who reject them with scorn and violence.

Pearls are a stony concretion in a species of oyster, found in the Persian gulf, on the coast of Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, etc., and in smaller quantities in various other places in both hemispheres. It is not known whether the pearl is a natural deposit, or the consequence of disease, or of the lodging of some foreign body, as a grain of sand, within the shells. The pearl oyster grows in clusters, on rocks in deep water; and is brought up by trained divers, only during a few weeks of calm weather in spring. The shell itself yields the well- known "mother of pearl."

3135. margarites -- a pearl
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition a pearl NASB Word Usage pearl (2), pearls
(7). pearl. From margaros (a pearl-oyster); a pearl -- pearl. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3135.htm - 6k5188. netiphah -- a drop, pendant
... chain, collar. From nataph; a pendant for the ears (especially of pearls) -- chain,
collar. see HEBREW nataph. 5187, 5188. netiphah. 5189 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/5188.htm - 6k

6443. peninim -- corals
... Definition: jewels. Word Origin from the same as pinnah Definition corals
NASB Word Usage corals (1), jewels (4), pearls (1). ruby. Or ...
/hebrew/6443.htm - 6k

A String of Pearls
... THE PROVERBS A STRING OF PEARLS. 'Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:
and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.2. The ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a string of pearls.htm

Pearls Before Swine.
... Book III. Chapter I."Pearls Before Swine. Meantime Peter, rising at the
crowing of the cock, and wishing to rouse us, found us ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter i pearls before swine.htm

Of Precious Stones and Pearls.
... Book I. Chapter VI."Of Precious Stones and Pearls. But, in the next place,
what am I to interpret those jewels to be which vie ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter vi of precious stones and.htm

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. The Formation and ...
... Book X. 7. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. The Formation and
Difference of Pearls. "Again the kingdom of heaven is like ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/7 the parable of the.htm

The Parable Interpreted is the Light of These views.
... Now, having collected these things out of dissertations about stones, I say that
the Saviour with a knowledge of the difference of pearls, of which some are in ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/8 the parable interpreted is.htm

Extracts from the Work on Things Created.
... The passage, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls
before swine," [2968] is explained by Origen as signifying that the pearls ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/extracts from the work on.htm

Chapter xx.
... if they were to conceal them altogether and always, He very rightly adds: "Give
not that which is holy to the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xx 2.htm

The Pearl of Great Price.
... THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE. Very similar to the parable of the Hidden Treasure
is this one of the merchant seeking goodly pearls. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the new testament/the pearl of great price.htm

The Emperor and Empress
... the hall. They wore Sidonian war-cloaks so richly dight that there were
pearls on their girdles and emeralds in their helmets. [8 ...
/.../chapter xviii the emperor and.htm

Christ the Pearl of Great Price.
... Now you will connect with the man seeking goodly pearls the saying, "Seek and ye
shall find," [5194] and this""Every one that seeketh findeth." [5195] For ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/9 christ the pearl of.htm

Pearls (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pearls (8 Occurrences). Matthew 7:6 "Don't give
that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls...
/p/pearls.htm - 9k

Pearl (5 Occurrences)
... is the "mother of pearl," which is of great value for ornamental purposes (1 Timothy
2:9; Revelation 17:4). Each shell contains eight or ten pearls of various ...
/p/pearl.htm - 10k

Jewels (54 Occurrences)
... BBE). Revelation 17:4 The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and was
brilliantly attired with gold and jewels and pearls. She ...
/j/jewels.htm - 23k

Coral (3 Occurrences)
... cappir, "sapphire"; zahabh, "gold"; zekhukhith, "crystal" (the Revised Version
(British and American) "glass"); paz, "gold"; gabhish, "pearls" (the Revised ...
/c/coral.htm - 12k

Scarlet (54 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold
and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of ...
/s/scarlet.htm - 26k

Purple (54 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold
and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of ...
/p/purple.htm - 28k

Fine (184 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Matthew 13:45 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is
a merchant seeking fine pearls, (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Matthew ...
/f/fine.htm - 47k

Gilded (2 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:4 and the woman was arrayed with purple and scarlet-colour, and gilded
with gold, and precious stone, and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand ...
/g/gilded.htm - 7k

Glittering (12 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold
and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of ...
/g/glittering.htm - 11k

Goodly (46 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament kalos ("beautiful") is translated "goodly" in Matthew 13:45,
"goodly pearls" and Luke 21:5 "goodly stones"; lampros ("bright") in James 2:2 ...
/g/goodly.htm - 25k

What did Jesus mean when He said to not cast your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6)? | GotQuestions.org

Why does the Bible speak against braided hair? | GotQuestions.org

Should Christian women wear makeup or jewelry? | GotQuestions.org

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