What does the Bible say about wearing earrings?
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The Bible does not forbid wearing earrings, but it calls God’s people to use outward adornment with modesty, humility, and hearts devoted to the Lord rather than to worldly display. Earrings could be ordinary jewelry, as seen in Ezekiel 16:12, yet they were also misused in idolatry when Israel gave earrings for the golden calf in Exodus 32:2-4; Genesis 35:4 similarly links certain ornaments with putting away foreign gods. Paul and Peter teach that a woman’s beauty should not rest chiefly in elaborate outward adornment, but in godliness, good works, and a gentle, reverent character (1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:3). Christians therefore have liberty in such matters, governed by modesty, wisdom, conscience, and love for God.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Ezekiel 16:12
I put a ring on your nose, and ear-rings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.
- 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;
- 1 Peter 3:3
Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing;
- Leviticus 19:28
"'You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Yahweh.
- Exodus 32:2-4
[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. [4] He received what they handed him, and fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made it a molten calf; and they said, "These are your gods, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt."
- Deuteronomy 22:5
A woman shall not wear men's clothing, neither shall a man put on women's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
- 1 Timothy 2:9-10
[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; [10] but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works.
- Isaiah 3:16-24
[16] Moreover Yahweh said, "Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, And walk with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, Walking to trip as they go, Jingling ornaments on their feet; [17] Therefore the Lord brings sores on the crown of the head of the women of Zion, And Yahweh will make their scalps bald." [18] In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, the headbands, the crescent necklaces, [19] the earrings, the bracelets, the veils, [20] the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume bottles, the charms, [21] the signet rings, the nose rings, [22] the fine robes, the capes, the cloaks, the purses, [23] the hand-mirrors, the fine linen garments, the tiaras, and the shawls. [24] It shall happen that instead of sweet spices, there shall be rottenness; Instead of a belt, a rope; Instead of well set hair, baldness; Instead of a robe, a girding of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty.
- Judges 8:24
Gideon said to them, I would make a request of you, that you would give me every man the ear-rings of his spoil. (For they had golden ear-rings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
- 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.
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