What does the Bible say about earrings?

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The Bible treats earrings as morally neutral adornments that may be used for beauty, generosity, or idolatry, depending on the heart and purpose. Genesis 24:22 records earrings as a fitting gift, while Exodus 35:22 and Numbers 31:50 show jewelry willingly offered for the Lord’s service. Yet Genesis 35:4 and Exodus 32:2-3 connect earrings with the removal of idolatry and the making of the golden calf. The prophets also warn against proud, self-indulgent adornment, as in Isaiah 3:20 and Hosea 2:13. Christians therefore should receive such possessions thankfully but use them modestly, avoiding vanity, worldly display, and any compromise with false worship, in keeping with 1 Timothy 2:9.

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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Genesis 35:4

    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.

  • Exodus 35:22

    They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, ear-rings, signet-rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to Yahweh.

  • Numbers 31:50

    We have brought Yahweh's offering, what every man has gotten, of jewels of gold, ankle-chains, and bracelets, signet-rings, ear-rings, and armlets, to make atonement for our souls before Yahweh.

  • Exodus 32:2-3

    [2] Aaron said to them, "Take off the golden rings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them to me." [3] All the people took off the golden rings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.

  • Proverbs 25:12

    As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.

  • Hosea 2:13

    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.

  • Ezekiel 16:12

    I put a ring on your nose, and ear-rings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.

  • Isaiah 3:20

    the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume bottles, the charms,

  • 1 Timothy 2:9

    In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;

  • Genesis 24:22

    It happened, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold,

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