Written by Gustave - Updated on Dec 24, 2024
Did you know that jewelry is mentioned many times in the Bible? It's even possible to find its origins in the holy book...
Jewelry is an object of covetousness, and has already been used to turn believers away from God. But there's more to the Bible 's stance on jewelry than that...
Find out more in this article:
- Jewelry according to the Bible
- Jewelry: a legacy of earlier civilizations
Without wasting another minute, let's discover the origins of jewelry in the Bible.
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Jewelry in the Bible
Jewelry is mentioned many times in the Bible, even if the words used to describe it are different from those we use today. A common misconception is that the Bible is strongly opposed to the wearing of certain types of body adornment. In the time of Jesus Christ, jewelry and make-up were considered to have demonic origins. In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, it is written: “I also want women to dress decently, with modesty and modesty, and not to adorn themselves with braids, gold, pearls or sumptuous garments, but to adorn themselves with good works, as befits women who profess to serve God”. These words are backed up by 1 Peter 3:3-6. However, it's important to note that the emphasis in these passages is on the person's behavior, not the jewelry itself.
The Bible has a very specific position on jewelry. But the translation of certain texts has caused them to lose their true meaning. As a result, it's hard to find unanimous statements.
Some texts say that rings, bracelets and anklets were worn as amulets. This practice has its origins in ancient animistic beliefs. In the Bible, the wearing of such jewelry is associated with submission and slavery. Isaiah 3:18 is a good example.
Modern jewelry of the twenty-first century
It's important to remember that the Bible places great emphasis on inner values such as love, kindness, humility and modesty. Wearing jewelry must not become a source of pride, vanity or material obsession. It's important to keep a balance and not let jewelry take over our lives, but rather to concentrate on what's really important. You can wear a cross every day, 2-hole earrings, a religious ring or a Christian bracelet. The most important thing is that it doesn't become a desire for appearance, but rather a wish to share what your values are, or for many people, help you expand your faith.
Ultimately, the choice to wear jewelry for many people in the twenty-first century comes down to a personal decision, guided by culture, personal values and religious convictions.
Jewelry: a legacy of earlier civilizations
Even today, many of us still believe that the Bible is strongly opposed to the wearing of jewelry. If we refer to certain passages, we quickly understand why. In Genesis 35:4, we read that wearing earrings was an act of worship towards foreign gods. In Exodus 32, we find the story of Aaron making a cast-iron calf from earrings.
According to all these accounts, the wearing of jewelry could turn the believer away from God. But we mustn't forget that all these practices and beliefs were inherited from even older traditions. The origins of jewelry go back much further than the biblical accounts. In fact, certain passages show us that wearing jewelry is not a forbidden practice. In Genesis 24:22-47, we find the story of Abraham's servant who gave Rebecca a ring to put on her face.
Thank you for reading our article. If you'd like to find out more about jewelry in the Christian religion, we invite you to discover other blog topics such as jewelry for Mother's Day and many others.
