What does the Bible say about ear piercings?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible does not give a universal command forbidding ear piercings, but it calls God’s people to holiness, modesty, and freedom from idolatry. Earrings appear as ordinary ornaments, even in Ezekiel 16:12, where God pictures Jerusalem as adorned with jewelry. Genesis 35:4 and Hosea 2:13 warn, however, that such items can become connected with false worship and spiritual unfaithfulness. Leviticus 19:28 addresses pagan mourning practices rather than everyday adornment. Exodus 21:6 and Deuteronomy 15:17 describe an ear pierced as a sign of a servant’s willing lifelong commitment. Christians should therefore make such choices with modesty and a conscience shaped by devotion to Christ, not vanity, rebellion, or cultural pressure.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Ezekiel 16:12 12 votes
I put a ring on your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.
- Leviticus 19:28 9 votes
“‘You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Yahweh.
- Exodus 21:6 7 votes
then his master shall bring him to God, and shall bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.
- Deuteronomy 15:17 6 votes
then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also to your female servant you shall do likewise.
- 1 Timothy 2:9 6 votes
In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing,
- Genesis 35:4 4 votes
They gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
- Proverbs 25:12 3 votes
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
- Hosea 2:13 3 votes
I will visit on her the days of the Baals, to which she burned incense when she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and went after her lovers and forgot me,” says Yahweh.
- Judges 8:24 3 votes
Gideon said to them, “I do have a request: that you would each give me the earrings of his plunder.” (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
- Exodus 21:5-6 2 votes
But if the servant shall plainly say, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children. I will not go out free;’ then his master shall bring him to God, and shall bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.
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