Nose-rings, as referenced in the Bible, are ornamental jewelry worn in the nose, typically by women. These adornments are mentioned in several passages, reflecting cultural practices and social customs of the ancient Near East. The use of nose-rings in biblical times can be understood within the broader context of jewelry and personal adornment, which often signified wealth, status, and beauty.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 24:22, 47 · The earliest mention of a nose-ring in the Bible occurs in the account of Abraham's servant seeking a wife for Isaac. When Rebekah is identified as the chosen bride, the servant gives her a gold nose-ring as a gift. Genesis 24:22 states, "And after the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels." Later, in verse 47, the servant recounts, "Then I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?' She replied, 'The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.' So I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her wrists."

2. Ezekiel 16:12 · In this passage, God uses the imagery of adorning Jerusalem with jewelry to describe His care and blessing upon the city. The verse reads, "And I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head." Here, the nose-ring is part of a larger metaphor illustrating divine favor and the beautification of God's people.

3. Isaiah 3:21 · The prophet Isaiah, in a passage describing the judgment and stripping away of luxury from the daughters of Zion, includes nose-rings among the items to be removed. The verse states, "their signet rings and nose rings." This indicates that nose-rings were common enough to be listed among other personal adornments such as bracelets and earrings.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, nose-rings were a common form of jewelry, often made of gold or other precious metals. They were typically worn by women and sometimes by men, serving as a symbol of wealth and social status. The practice of wearing nose-rings has been documented in various ancient cultures, including Egyptian, Assyrian, and Indian societies.

The biblical references to nose-rings suggest that they were considered valuable gifts, suitable for marking significant events such as betrothals. The giving of a nose-ring to Rebekah by Abraham's servant signifies not only the wealth of Isaac's family but also the importance of the marriage alliance being formed.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In the biblical narrative, nose-rings can symbolize beauty, wealth, and divine favor. The use of such imagery in Ezekiel 16:12 highlights God's lavish care and adornment of His people, while the removal of nose-rings in Isaiah 3:21 serves as a metaphor for the loss of divine blessing and the humbling of the proud.

From a theological perspective, the mention of nose-rings in Scripture underscores the broader biblical theme of God's provision and the appropriate use of material wealth. While jewelry, including nose-rings, can be a sign of God's blessing, it can also become an object of vanity or idolatry if it distracts from a focus on spiritual values.

Overall, nose-rings in the Bible reflect the cultural practices of the time and serve as a vehicle for conveying deeper spiritual truths through the imagery of adornment and beauty.

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... Of course, the fashionable lady was similarly adorned, adding to the bracelets
finger-rings, ankle-rings, nose-rings, ear-rings, gorgeous head-dresses ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... Misled by the [Hebrew: tqTir], which refers directly to the spiritual adulteress,
they imagined that the wearing of nose-rings, and other ornaments, in honour ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm

Nose-rings (5 Occurrences)
Nose-rings. Nose-ring, Nose-rings. Noses . Multi-Version Concordance
Nose-rings (5 Occurrences). Exodus 35:22 And they ...
/n/nose-rings.htm - 7k

Nose-ring (4 Occurrences)
Nose-ring. Nose-jewels, Nose-ring. Nose-rings . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Nose-jewels, Nose-ring. Nose-rings . Reference Bible.
/n/nose-ring.htm - 7k

Jewelry (18 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted,
and brought nose-rings, and ear-rings, and signet-rings, and girdles, all ...
/j/jewelry.htm - 11k

Finger-rings (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 They came, men and women, all who were ready to give, and gave pins
and nose-rings and finger-rings and neck-ornaments, all of gold; everyone gave ...
/f/finger-rings.htm - 7k

Ring (33 Occurrences)
... Used as an ornament to decorate the fingers, arms, wrists, and also the ears
and the nose. Rings were used as a signet (Genesis 38:18). ...
/r/ring.htm - 24k

Neck-ornaments (2 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 They came, men and women, all who were ready to give, and gave pins
and nose-rings and finger-rings and neck-ornaments, all of gold; everyone gave ...
/n/neck-ornaments.htm - 7k

Noses (4 Occurrences)

/n/noses.htm - 7k

Utensils (72 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 And they came, both men and women; every one who was of willing heart
brought nose-rings, and earrings, and rings, and bracelets, all kinds of ...
/u/utensils.htm - 28k

Ornaments (50 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 They came, men and women, all who were ready to give, and gave pins
and nose-rings and finger-rings and neck-ornaments, all of gold; everyone gave ...
/o/ornaments.htm - 22k

Ornament (23 Occurrences)
... seal-rings (Genesis 38:18, 25 Jeremiah 22:24); arm-rings or bracelets (Genesis
24:22 2 Samuel 1:10); earrings (Genesis 35:4 Exodus 32:2); noserings (Genesis 24 ...
/o/ornament.htm - 17k

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