Ear-ring

How Nave’s arranged it

• Of goldProverbs 25:12
• Offering of
• For the golden calfExodus 32:2Exodus 32:3
• For the tabernacleExodus 35:22
• Worn for idolatrous purposesGenesis 35:4Isaiah 3:20

The passages, in Bible order (6)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 6 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Genesis 35:4

   So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 35:42 voices

   “And - ear-rings which were in their ears - Whether these rings were in the ears of the gods, or in those of Jacob’s family, we may rest assured that they were not mere ornaments, but served for superstitious purposes. Ear-rings were certainly worn as amulets and charms, first consecrated to some god, or formed under some constellation, on which magical characters and images were drawn. A very ancient and beautiful one of this kind brought from Egypt, cut out of a solid piece of cornelian, now lies before me.

   “The oak being deemed a consecrated tree, to bury them at its root was to deposit them in a place where no bold hand would venture to disturb the ground; and hence it was called from this circumstance--"the plain of Meonenim"--that is, "the oak of enchantments" (Jud 9:37); and from the great stone which Joshua set up--"the oak of the pillar" (Jud 9:6).

   Everything gathered on Genesis 35:4→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Exodus 32:2

   So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.”

   ›Commentary on Exodus 32:22 voices

   “Break off . . . earrings--It was not an Egyptian custom for young men to wear earrings, and the circumstance, therefore, seems to point out "the mixed rabble," who were chiefly foreign slaves, as the ringleaders in this insurrection.

   “Golden ear-rings - Both men and women wore these ornaments, and we may suppose that these were a part of the spoils which they brought out of Egypt. How strange, that the very things which were granted them by an especial influence and providence of God, should be now abused to the basest idolatrous purposes! But it is frequently the case that the gifts of God become desecrated by being employed in the service of sin; I will curse your blessings, saith the Lord, Mal 2:2.

   Everything gathered on Exodus 32:2→

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3. Exodus 32:3

   Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron.

   ›Commentary on Exodus 32:32 voices

   “And all the people brake off the golden earrings, which were in their ears,.... The men took off their earrings, and persuaded their wives and children, or obliged them to part with theirs; though the Targum of Jonathan says the women refused to give their ornaments to their husbands, therefore all the people immediately broke off all the golden ornaments which were in their ears (x), so intent were they upon idolatry. This is to be understood not of every individual, but of the greatest part of the people; so apostle explains it of some of them, 1Co 10:

   “Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox ( Ps. cvi. 20 ), and proclaimed their own folly, beyond that of other idolaters, who worshipped the host of heaven. Having made the calf in Horeb, they worshipped the graven image, Ps. cvi.

   Everything gathered on Exodus 32:3→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. Exodus 35:22

   So all who had willing hearts, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings, rings and necklaces, and all kinds of gold jewelry. And they all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD.

   ›Commentary on Exodus 35:221 voice

   “As many as were willing-hearted - For no one was forced to lend his help in this sacred work; all was a free-will offering to the Lord. Bracelets - חח chach, whatever hooks together; ornaments for the wrists, arms, legs, or neck. Ear-rings - נזם nezem, see this explained Gen 24:22 (note). Rings - טבעת tabbaath, from טבי taba, to penetrate, enter into; probably rings for the fingers. Tablets - כומז cumaz, a word only used here and in Num 31:50, supposed to be a girdle to support the breasts.

   Everything gathered on Exodus 35:22→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. Proverbs 25:12

   Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.

   ›Commentary on Proverbs 25:121 voice

   “As an ear-ring of gold - I believe נזם nezem to mean the nose-ring with its pendants; the left nostril is pierced, and a ring put through it, as in the ear. This is very common in almost every part of the East, among women of condition. This is a farther illustration of the above metaphor.

   Everything gathered on Proverbs 25:12→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. Isaiah 3:20

   their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms;

   ›Commentary on Isaiah 3:201 voice

   “The tablets - The words בתי הנפש bottey hannephesh, which we translate tablets, and Bishop Lowth, perfume boxes, literally signify houses of the soul; and may refer to strong scented bottles used for pleasure and against fainting; similar to bottles with otto of roses, worn by the ladies of the East to the present time.

   Everything gathered on Isaiah 3:20→

   Verse page →Original language →