Topical Bible: The Ear: Often Adorned With Rings

◄ The Ear: Often Adorned With Rings ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the ear was not only a vital organ for hearing but also a canvas for adornment, often with rings. This practice is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting cultural, social, and spiritual dimensions.

Cultural and Social Significance

Earrings were common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including among the Israelites. They served as symbols of wealth, status, and beauty. In Genesis 24:22, Abraham's servant gives Rebekah a gold nose ring and bracelets, indicating her selection as Isaac's bride: "And when the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels." Although this passage specifically mentions a nose ring, it highlights the broader cultural practice of adorning oneself with jewelry, including earrings.

In Exodus 32:2-3, Aaron instructs the Israelites to remove their gold earrings to create the golden calf: "Aaron answered them, 'Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons, and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.' So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron." This incident underscores the prevalence of earrings among both men and women and their use in idolatrous practices, which was a deviation from their intended purpose.

Spiritual and Symbolic Dimensions

Earrings also held spiritual significance. In Exodus 21:6, the ear is mentioned in the context of servitude: "Then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl, and he shall serve him for life." The piercing of the ear symbolized a bond of servitude and loyalty, indicating a voluntary commitment to one's master.

The prophet Ezekiel uses the imagery of earrings to describe the adornment of Jerusalem, personified as a woman, in Ezekiel 16:12: "And I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head." Here, earrings symbolize the beauty and favor bestowed upon Jerusalem by God, contrasting with her later unfaithfulness.

Warnings and Admonitions

While earrings were common, the Bible also warns against excessive adornment and the potential for idolatry. In 1 Peter 3:3-4, believers are admonished: "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 encourages a focus on inner beauty and spiritual virtues over external adornment.

Conclusion

The practice of adorning the ear with rings in biblical times reflects a rich tapestry of cultural, social, and spiritual meanings. While earrings were a common and accepted form of adornment, the Scriptures provide guidance on maintaining a balance between external beauty and inner spiritual integrity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 16:12
And I put a jewel on your forehead, and earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 2:13
And I will visit on her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgot me, said the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... course, the fashionable lady was similarly adorned, adding to ... The ear-ring was either
plain, or had a ... worn"one close-fitting, the other often consisting of ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments.
... For they ought to be adorned within, and show the ... beauty "which eye hath not seen
nor ear heard before ... Clement quotes here, as often, from memory (1 Timothy 2:9 ...
/.../the instructor paedagogus/chapter xiiiagainst excessive fondness for.htm

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... what was spoken, may be fulfilled: "As an ear-ring in ... is that which is spiritual,
as we have often pointed out. For when the soul is adorned by the Holy Spirit ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

In Jerusalem when Herod Reigned
... the writer, a reed behind his ear; the tailor ... to C??sar, magnificent, and magnificently
adorned, outside Palestine ... i. 33, and often; but the precise situation ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i in jerusalem when.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... It often strikes us with wonder that men do not receive ... Why, it ought to win every
human ear, it ought to ... she looked fair, and her dress was adorned with gold ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... It often strikes us with wonder that men do not receive ... Why, it ought to win every
human ear, it ought to ... she looked fair, and her dress was adorned with gold ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/sinners bound with the cords.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... bow, the string drawn back to his ear, the arrow ... trusty substitute ruled in his place:
often, however, he ... Their heads were either shaven, or adorned with tufts ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... ages, and cures their sicknesses as often as there is ... which Aaron was to be adorned;
and concerning ... and burning rams, about sanctifying ear-rings and vestments ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm

Hymns, Festival and Occasional.
... simpler"and sweeter to the popular ear"is Mason's ... found in the Baptist hymnals, and
often sung at ... place, The New Jerusalem comes down, Adorned with shining ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter xiii hymns festival and.htm

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ...
... and palm-tree, With cherubims and chains adorned be The ... hither then, unto me lend
an ear; And what ... to water with those crystal showers, Which often flowed from ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse of the building.htm