| Does the Bible approve
of wearing EARRINGS? | | | |
Q. What does the Bible teach about earrings? Does the Bible approve or disapprove of them being worn? (Submitted by: Marie) A. I do not wear earrings of any kind. I was too scared to have my ears pierced and I hated the ones that pinched. But when my daughter was twelve years old and begged to wear them I allowed it. Unfortunately, she developed a metal allergy and became quite infected from the earrings. Now, as an adult, she only rarely wears earrings. I worked as a registered nurse in a Pediatrician's office for four years and saw some horrendous piercings on the bodies of some babies and young children. One little girl came in with a completely severed ear lobe because her little brother grabbed her hoops and tore the tissue. Ear lobe tissue does not heal well because it lacks blood and nerve tissue. My personal experiences have kept me from enthusiastically endorsing the wearing of earrings. However, the Bible DOES show that people did wear earrings (the Hebrew word nexem, Strong's Concordance Number #5141, means nose ring, earring or jewel), bracelets, jewels around the neck, rings and other adornments: "In that day the Lord will take away the finery: The jingling anklets, the scarves, and the crescents; The pendants, the bracelets, and the veils; The headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands; The perfume boxes, the charms, and the rings; the nose jewels, the festal apparel, and the mantles; the outer garments, the purses . . ." (Isaiah 3:18-22, NKJV and emphasis throughout)
Interestingly, God HIMSELF stated he gave earrings as a gift! When God made a covenant with Israel he considered it like entering into a marriage covenant. After God "married" Israel he stated in the book of Ezekiel: "I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of badger skin; I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. And I put a jewel in your nose, EARRINGS IN YOUR EARS, and a beautiful crown on your head." (Ezekiel 16:10-12)
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| Regardless of the expense or beauty of our rings, earrings, jewels, clothes and alike, the apostle Peter reminds us what truly is the MOST important adornment that can be possessed: "Do not let your adornment be merely outward — arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves . . . " (1Peter 3:3-5)
The Bible does not prohibit the wearing of earrings. However, for peace of mind, pray to God and ask him if he feels it is appropriate for you to wear this jewelry. | | Written by: Charlotte Grantham
edits and additions by BibleStudy.org |
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