What does the Bible say about wearing earrings?
Bible Topic · WEB
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.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Ezekiel 16:12 9 votes
I put a ring on your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.
- 1 Timothy 2:9 7 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,
- 1 Peter 3:3 7 votes
Let your beauty come not from the outward adorning of braiding your hair, and of wearing gold ornaments or of putting on fine clothing,
- Leviticus 19:28 6 votes
“‘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 4 votes
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.” All the people took off the golden rings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. He received what they handed him, fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made it a molded calf. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”
- Deuteronomy 22:5 4 votes
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 4 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, but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness.
- Isaiah 3:16-24 3 votes
Moreover Yahweh said, “Because the daughters of Zion are arrogant, and walk with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, walking daintily as they go, jingling ornaments on their feet; therefore the Lord brings sores on the crown of the head of the women of Zion, and Yahweh will make their scalps bald.” In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, the headbands, the crescent necklaces, the earrings, the bracelets, the veils, the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume containers, the charms, the signet rings, the nose rings, the fine robes, the capes, the cloaks, the purses, the hand mirrors, the fine linen garments, the tiaras, and the shawls. 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 wearing of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.
- 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.)
- Genesis 35:4 3 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.
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