In the context of biblical times, the term "bead" as understood in modern usage does not appear explicitly in the Scriptures. However, the concept of beads or bead-like objects can be inferred from various biblical passages and archaeological findings related to ancient jewelry and adornments.

Historical and Cultural Context

Beads have been used since ancient times for decorative, ceremonial, and symbolic purposes. In the ancient Near East, where the events of the Bible largely took place, beads were commonly made from materials such as stone, bone, shell, glass, and precious metals. They were often used in necklaces, bracelets, and other forms of jewelry, serving both aesthetic and social functions.

Biblical References and Implications

While the Bible does not specifically mention beads, it does reference jewelry and adornments, which likely included bead-like elements. For example, in Genesis 24:22, when Abraham's servant finds Rebekah, he gives her a gold nose ring and bracelets, indicating the use of personal adornments in biblical times. Similarly, in Exodus 35:22, the Israelites bring offerings of jewelry, including brooches, earrings, rings, and necklaces, for the construction of the Tabernacle.

In Isaiah 3:18-21, the prophet Isaiah lists various ornaments worn by the daughters of Zion, including anklets, headbands, and crescents, which may have incorporated beads. These passages suggest that beads, as part of jewelry, were prevalent and held cultural significance.

Symbolism and Spiritual Insights

Jewelry, including items that may have contained beads, often symbolized wealth, status, and beauty in biblical times. However, the Bible also warns against excessive adornment and the potential for such items to become idols or distractions from spiritual devotion. In 1 Peter 3:3-4 , believers are encouraged to focus on inner beauty: "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight."

Archaeological Evidence

Archaeological discoveries in regions such as Israel, Egypt, and Mesopotamia have unearthed numerous examples of ancient beads, providing insight into their use and significance. These findings reveal that beads were often intricately crafted and used in various forms of personal and religious expression.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention beads, the cultural and historical context of biblical times suggests their presence and significance in ancient society. Beads, as part of jewelry, served as symbols of beauty and status, yet the Scriptures remind believers to prioritize spiritual virtues over external adornments.1. (n.) A prayer.

2. (n.) A little perforated ball, to be strung on a thread, and worn for ornament; or used in a rosary for counting prayers, as by Roman Catholics and Mohammedans, whence the phrases to tell beads, to at one's beads, to bid beads, etc., meaning, to be at prayer.

3. (n.) Any small globular body

4. (n.) A bubble in spirits.

5. (n.) A drop of sweat or other liquid.

6. (n.) A small knob of metal on a firearm, used for taking aim (whence the expression to draw a bead, for, to take aim).

7. (n.) A small molding of rounded surface, the section being usually an arc of a circle. It may be continuous, or broken into short embossments.

8. (n.) A glassy drop of molten flux, as borax or microcosmic salt, used as a solvent and color test for several mineral earths and oxides, as of iron, manganese, etc., before the blowpipe; as, the borax bead; the iron bead, etc.

9. (v. t.) To ornament with beads or beading.

10. (v. i.) To form beadlike bubbles.

2737. charuz -- string of beads
... chain. From an unused root meaning to perforate; properly, pierced, ie A bead of
pearl, gems or jewels (as strung) -- chain. 2736, 2737. charuz. 2738 . ...
/hebrew/2737.htm - 6k

The Persecutions.
... humbly entreating, amid the mockery of the guards, until the spot of execution was
reached, and the prisoner was bidden to kneel down to have his bead cut off. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxv the persecutions.htm

Song 1. The Sluggard.
... You have waked me too soon! I must slumber again!'. As the door on its hinges, so
he on his bead. Turns his sides, and his shoulders, and his heavy head. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/divine and moral songs/song 1 the sluggard.htm

Rev. 21:1-9
... the second death shall die. O may we stand before the Lamb,. when earth and seas
are fled,. And hear the judge pronounce our name,. with blessings on our bead! ...
/.../anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/67 rev 21 1-9.htm

The Influence of the King James Version on English Literature
... of Solon and Lycurgus, of Apelles and Praxiteles"not even this Greece, prolific
as she was in sages and heroes, can boast such a lengthy bead-roll as Ireland ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture iv the influence of.htm

The Ascent of the Body
... beads. Each bead is the counterpart of the other; and with such an
organization any high or varied life becomes an impossibility. ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter i the ascent of.htm

Jacob Boehme's Influence in England
... Boehme, he thinks he can "begin a new roll of Civil Saints," hoping, he says, that
in these last generations "much company" may be added to the bead roll thus ...
/.../chapter xii jacob boehmes influence.htm

Gunsaulus -- the Bible Vs. Infidelity
... happiness until I found Christ as a Savior. Read the Bible! Bead the Bible!
Through all my perplexities and distresses I never read ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/gunsaulus the bible vs.htm

A Provision Ground
... bushes, whose magnificent crimson flowers contrast with the bright yellow bunches
of the common Cassia, and the scarlet flowers of the Jumby-bead bush, {314f ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xvi a provision ground.htm

Troubles of the Closing Years.
... Basil is duly canonized in the grateful memory, no less than in the official
bead-roll, of Christendom, and we may be permitted to regret that the existing ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/x troubles of the closing years.htm

Earliest Memories
... "But it is more amusing still to see Therese put her hand in her pocket, time after
time, to pull a bead along the string, whenever she makes a little sacrifice ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter i earliest memories.htm

Bead-rows (2 Occurrences)
Bead-rows. Bead, Bead-rows. Beads . Multi-Version Concordance
Bead-rows (2 Occurrences). Song of Songs 1:10 Thy cheeks ...
/b/bead-rows.htm - 6k

Bead (2 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A small knob of metal on a firearm, used for taking aim (whence the
expression to draw a bead, for, to take aim). ...Bead (2 Occurrences). ...
/b/bead.htm - 8k

Beads (3 Occurrences)
... 31:50 and we bring near Jehovah's offering, each that which he hath found, vessels
of gold -- chain, and bracelet, seal-ring, 'ear'-ring, and bead -- to make ...
/b/beads.htm - 7k

Beacon (3 Occurrences)

/b/beacon.htm - 8k

Ornamental (4 Occurrences)
... purple 'are' her clothing. (YLT). Song of Songs 1:10 Thy cheeks are comely
with bead-rows, Thy neck with ornamental chains. (DBY). ...
/o/ornamental.htm - 7k

Bugle (1 Occurrence)
... also the Kent bugle. 4. (n.) An elongated glass bead, of various colors,
though commonly black. 5. (a.) Jet black. 6. (n.) A plant ...
/b/bugle.htm - 7k

Seal-ring (3 Occurrences)
... 31:50 and we bring near Jehovah's offering, each that which he hath found, vessels
of gold -- chain, and bracelet, seal-ring, 'ear'-ring, and bead -- to make ...
/s/seal-ring.htm - 7k

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)
... 31:50 and we bring near Jehovah's offering, each that which he hath found, vessels
of gold -- chain, and bracelet, seal-ring, 'ear'-ring, and bead -- to make ...
/o/ourselves.htm - 38k

Beat (85 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Song of Songs 4:9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my bride; thou
hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one bead of thy necklace. ...
/b/beat.htm - 35k

What are prayer beads? Is it okay to use beads while praying? | GotQuestions.org

Is there anything wrong with repetitive prayer? | GotQuestions.org

Bead: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus