Jewelry has been worn for adornment and significance throughout history, but what does the Bible say about it? The Bible mentions jewelry in various contexts, often highlighting the difference between outward appearance and inner character. Exploring these teachings can help you reflect on how you view and use jewelry in your life.
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What Does The Bible Say About jewelry
1 Timothy 2:9
“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of modesty in dressing and discourages the excessive use of jewelry, such as gold, pearls, and expensive clothing. It encourages women to focus on inner qualities rather than outward adornment.
Proverbs 11:22
“Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.”
This verse vividly portrays the concept of external beauty that lacks wisdom and discretion. It compares a beautiful woman without discretion to a gold ring in a pig’s snout, highlighting the insignificance and inappropriateness of emphasizing outward appearance over inner character.
1 Peter 3:3-4
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
This verse reiterates the importance of inner beauty over external adornment. It encourages women to focus on developing a gentle and quiet spirit, which is valued by God, rather than placing excessive emphasis on elaborate hairstyles, gold jewelry, or fine clothes.
1 Timothy 2:10
“But with good works, as is proper for women who profess godliness.”
This verse reminds women that their focus should be on performing good works and displaying godliness rather than seeking attention through flashy jewelry or outward adornment.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
These verses highlight the significance of honoring God in all aspects of our lives, including the way we present ourselves. It reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and therefore we should strive to honor God with our bodies and not place excessive focus on external adornment.
Proverbs 25:12
“Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.”
This verse uses the imagery of gold jewelry to illustrate the value and impact of wise and constructive criticism. Just as gold jewelry adds value and enhances one’s appearance, a rebuke from a wise judge, when received with a listening ear, can bring positive growth and transformation.
Leviticus 19:28
“Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.”
This verse addresses the Israelites’ practice of cutting their bodies and putting tattoo marks as forms of mourning for the dead. It instructs them not to engage in such practices, as it goes against the reverence and respect they should have for the Lord.
Genesis 24:22
“When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels.”
This verse describes the act of generosity and hospitality shown by Abraham’s servant to Rebekah. As a form of appreciation, the servant presented her with gold jewelry, symbolizing the value placed on her and the blessing she would become to their family.
Song of Solomon 1:10
“Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels.”
In this poetic passage from the Song of Solomon, the lover admires the physical beauty of his beloved, complimenting her adorned cheeks and neck with earrings and strings of jewels.
Exodus 35:22
“All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings, and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD.”
This verse depicts the Israelites’ voluntary offering of their gold jewelry for the construction of the tabernacle. It showcases their willingness to contribute to the Lord’s work and their recognition of the importance of using their possessions for the glory of God.
Proverbs 31:22
“She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.”
This verse highlights the industriousness and resourcefulness of the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31. While it does not directly mention jewelry, it portrays her wearing fine linen and purple garments, which were associated with wealth and luxury during that time.
Exodus 3:22
“Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians.”
In this context, the Israelites were instructed to ask their Egyptian neighbors for valuable possessions, including jewelry and clothing, as a form of payment for their years of slavery. It signifies the transfer of wealth from the oppressors to the oppressed.
Haggai 2:8
“‘The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”
This verse emphasizes God’s ownership of all silver and gold. It is a reminder that our focus should not solely be on material possessions or outward adornment but on recognizing and acknowledging that all things belong to God.
Proverbs 3:15
“She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.”
This verse praises wisdom, personified as a woman, as being more valuable than rubies. It signifies that the worth of a person is not determined by the material possessions they possess but by their wisdom and character.
Isaiah 61:10
“I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
This verse uses the imagery of a bride adorning herself with jewels to depict the joy and gratitude of one who has been clothed with the garments of salvation and righteousness by God. It captures the beauty and significance of being in a right relationship with God.
Job 42:11
“All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.”
After Job’s immense suffering, this verse portrays the restoration and blessing he received. His friends and acquaintances visited him, bringing gifts of silver and gold rings as a sign of their support and restoration of his status in the community.
Zechariah 9:16
“The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.”
This verse symbolizes the restoration and glory that God will bestow upon His people. It portrays them shining like jewels in a crown in the land the Lord has given them, emphasizing the preciousness and beauty of those who belong to Him.
Revelation 21:21
“The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.”
This verse describes the breathtaking imagery of the New Jerusalem, with its gates made of pearls and streets made of pure gold. It captures the beauty and splendor of the heavenly city, far surpassing any humanly adorned jewelry or precious metals.
Isaiah 54:11-12
“‘Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with lapis lazuli. I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.’
In this prophetic vision, God promises to restore and rebuild Jerusalem with the most precious and beautiful materials, surpassing any humanly adorned jewelry. It symbolizes the future glory and magnificence that God has in store for His people.
Job 28:18
“Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.”
This verse emphasizes the surpassing value of wisdom over earthly treasures. It highlights that the price of acquiring wisdom, which leads to a deeper understanding and reverence for God, outweighs the worth of any material possessions.
Proverbs 17:8
“A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.”
This verse warns against the deceptive nature of bribes and charms. It cautions against seeking success through manipulative and dishonest means, recognizing that true success comes from integrity and aligning our lives with God’s principles.
Exodus 32:2-3
“Aaron answered them, ‘Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons, and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.’ So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron.”
This verse recounts the incident where the Israelites, in the absence of Moses, brought their gold earrings to fashion a golden calf for worship. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of idolatry and misplaced priorities.
Isaiah 2:20
“In that day people will throw away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and idols of gold, which they made to worship.”
This verse prophesies a future time when people will abandon their worship of idols made of silver and gold. It foreshadows a spiritual awakening where the true reverence for God will replace materialistic pursuits and false gods.
Jeremiah 4:30
“What are you doing, you devastated one? Why dress yourself in scarlet and put on jewels of gold? Why highlight your eyes with makeup? You adorn yourself in vain. Your lovers despise you; they want to kill you.”
This verse admonishes the people of Judah for focusing on external adornment and indulging in worldly pleasures while neglecting the pursuit of righteousness. It highlights that true beauty and fulfillment come from a heart devoted to God.
Ezekiel 16:11-12
“I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck. I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.”
In this prophetic passage, God depicts His care and provision for the nation of Israel, symbolized by adorning them with jewelry. It signifies the intimacy and covenant relationship He desires with His people.
Ecclesiastes 7:1
“A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.”
This verse highlights the significance of character and reputation over material possessions or external adornment. It encourages the pursuit of a good name and a life of integrity, which surpasses the temporary pleasures associated with transient beauty or luxurious items.