Ear-rings, as mentioned in the Bible, are ornaments worn in the ears, often made of precious metals such as gold or silver. They are referenced in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, serving as symbols of wealth, beauty, and sometimes idolatry.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, ear-rings are first mentioned in the context of the patriarchal narratives. In Genesis 24:22, Abraham's servant gives Rebekah a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets as a sign of betrothal to Isaac. Although this passage specifically mentions a nose ring, it highlights the cultural practice of adorning oneself with jewelry, including ear-rings, as a sign of wealth and status.

Ear-rings also appear in the account of Jacob. In Genesis 35:4, Jacob instructs his household to "get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes." They then give Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the ear-rings in their ears, which Jacob buries under the oak near Shechem. This act signifies a renunciation of idolatry and a return to the worship of the one true God.

In Exodus 32:2-3, Aaron instructs the Israelites to take off the gold ear-rings of their wives, sons, and daughters to make the golden calf, a grave act of idolatry. The ear-rings, in this instance, are used to create an idol, demonstrating how objects of beauty can be misused for sinful purposes.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Ear-rings in biblical times were not merely decorative but often held cultural and religious significance. They could denote social status, wealth, and even religious affiliation. In some cases, ear-rings were associated with pagan practices, as seen in the account of the golden calf.

In Judges 8:24-27, Gideon requests the gold ear-rings from the spoils of the Midianites, who were Ishmaelites, known for wearing gold ear-rings. Gideon uses these ear-rings to make an ephod, which unfortunately becomes a snare to him and his family, as it leads the Israelites into idolatry.

New Testament Context

The New Testament does not specifically mention ear-rings, but it does address the broader topic of adornment. In 1 Peter 3:3-4, women are advised, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." This passage emphasizes the importance of inner beauty over external adornment, reflecting a principle that can be applied to the use of ear-rings.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, ear-rings are depicted as items of personal adornment that can signify wealth and status but also have the potential to lead individuals away from God when misused. The biblical narrative encourages believers to focus on inner beauty and devotion to God rather than external appearances.5188. netiphah -- a drop, pendant
... 5187, 5188. netiphah. 5189 . a drop, pendant. Transliteration: netiphah
Phonetic Spelling: (net-ee-faw') Short Definition: earrings. ...
/hebrew/5188.htm - 6k

5694. agil -- a hoop, ring
... 5693, 5694. agil. 5695 . a hoop, ring. Transliteration: agil Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-gheel') Short Definition: earrings. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/5694.htm - 6k

5141. nezem -- a ring (worn as an ornament)
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a ring (worn as an ornament) NASB
Word Usage earring (3), earrings (4), ring (6), rings (4). earring, jewel. ...
/hebrew/5141.htm - 6k

May 18 Evening
... Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would
give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/may 18 evening.htm

Gideon's Brave Band
... rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; Jehovah shall rule over you; but
let me make one request of you: let every man give me the ear-rings from his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/gideons brave band.htm

The Golden Calf
... the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of
him.2. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the golden calf.htm

Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments.
... Accordingly the comic poet Nicostratus says, "Chains, collars, rings, bracelets,
serpents, anklets, earrings." [1560]. ... "Ear-pendants, jewelry, ear-rings; ...
/.../the instructor paedagogus/chapter xiiiagainst excessive fondness for.htm

Under the Three Pastors, --There were Manifold Shepherds
... 5. Aaron stripped off from the ears,"the earrings and made a calf."That lifeless
calf in secret,"pierced and slaughtered the camp:"those who had ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiv under the three.htm

Letter ccxlv. To Possidius
... 2. As for the accursed superstition of wearing amulets (among which the earrings
worn by men at the top of the ear on one side are to be reckoned), it is ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter ccxlv to possidius.htm

The Great Furnace for a Great Soul
... This is not difficult to manage, for the gwei, though powerful to work evil, is
a simple creature, and it is sufficient for him to see earrings dangling from ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xi the great furnace.htm

Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... two bracelets with gems; seven necklaces with gems; nine ear-rings with gems ... carbuncle,
one hyacinthus, and two flint arrow-heads; also earrings with emeralds ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm

Nor Should I Think it Needful to Discuss Whether God Pursues a ...
... [8246] Aaron is importuned, and commands that the earrings of their women
be brought together, that they may be thrown into the fire. ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter iii nor should i.htm

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... For the divine apostle most beautifully counsels us "to put on Jesus Christ, and
make no provision for the lusts of the flesh." [1673]. Ear-rings. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

Earrings (14 Occurrences)
... females. Ear-rings were ornaments used by both sexes (Exodus 32:2).
Multi-Version Concordance Earrings (14 Occurrences). Genesis ...
/e/earrings.htm - 11k

Ear-rings (12 Occurrences)
Ear-rings. Earrings, Ear-rings. Ears . Multi-Version Concordance Ear-rings
(12 Occurrences). ... (See JPS WBS). Earrings, Ear-rings. Ears . Reference Bible
/e/ear-rings.htm - 10k

Earring (7 Occurrences)
... The ears in the statue of the Medicean Venus are pierced and probably were
originally ornamented with earrings. It is clear, however ...
/e/earring.htm - 10k

Rings (46 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and
brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold ...
/r/rings.htm - 20k

Bracelets (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted,
and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold ...
/b/bracelets.htm - 9k

Amulet
... The golden ear-rings, worn by the wives and sons and daughters of the Israelites,
out of which the molten calf was made (Exodus 32:2 f), were undoubtedly ...
/a/amulet.htm - 17k

Ring (33 Occurrences)
... 22); "bracelets, rings (the American Standard Revised Version "signet-rings"),
ear-rings" (Numbers 31 ... you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his ...
/r/ring.htm - 24k

Ear-ring (6 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted,
and brought nose-rings, and ear-rings, and signet ... Earring, Ear-ring. Earrings ...
/e/ear-ring.htm - 8k

Jewels (54 Occurrences)
... has gotten, of jewels of gold, armlets, and bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and
necklaces ... Judges 8:26 The weight of the gold ear-rings which he got from them ...
/j/jewels.htm - 23k

Plunder (118 Occurrences)
... Judges 8:24 Gideon said to them, "I would make a request of you, that you would
give me every man the earrings of his spoil." (For they had golden earrings...
/p/plunder.htm - 37k

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