A pendant, in the context of biblical times, refers to an ornamental piece of jewelry that is typically suspended from a chain or cord, worn around the neck. While the Bible does not frequently mention pendants explicitly, the concept of jewelry and adornment is present throughout the Scriptures, often symbolizing wealth, beauty, and status.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Adornment and Beauty: Jewelry, including pendants, is often associated with beauty and adornment in the Bible. In Ezekiel 16:11-12, God describes adorning Jerusalem with jewelry as a metaphor for His blessings and favor: "I adorned you with jewelry, and I put bracelets on your wrists and a chain around your neck. I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head." This passage highlights the use of jewelry as a symbol of divine favor and beauty.

2. Cultural Significance: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, jewelry was a significant part of daily life and social status. Pendants, along with other forms of jewelry, were often crafted from precious metals and stones, indicating wealth and prestige. Genesis 24:22 mentions the servant of Abraham giving Rebekah a gold nose ring and bracelets, signifying her selection as Isaac's bride and the wealth of Abraham's household.

3. Spiritual Symbolism: Jewelry can also carry spiritual symbolism. In Proverbs 1:8-9, wisdom and instruction are likened to a graceful garland and pendants: "Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck." Here, the pendant symbolizes the value and beauty of wisdom and guidance.

4. Warnings Against Vanity: While jewelry is often seen positively, the Bible also warns against excessive adornment and vanity. In 1 Peter 3:3-4, believers are encouraged to focus on inner beauty rather than outward adornment: "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."

5. Idolatry and Judgment: Jewelry, including pendants, can also be associated with idolatry and judgment. In Isaiah 3:18-23, the Lord warns of judgment against the daughters of Zion, listing various ornaments, including pendants, that will be taken away as a consequence of their pride and idolatry.

Conclusion

While pendants are not frequently mentioned in the Bible, the broader context of jewelry provides insight into their cultural and spiritual significance. They serve as symbols of beauty, wealth, and divine favor, while also offering a caution against vanity and idolatry. The biblical perspective encourages a focus on inner beauty and spiritual adornment, reflecting the values of humility and wisdom.1. (n.) Something which hangs or depends; a hanging appendage, especially one of an ornamental character; as to a chandelier or an eardrop; also, an appendix or addition, as to a book.

2. (n.) A hanging ornament on roofs, ceilings, etc., much used in the later styles of Gothic architecture, where it is of stone, and an important part of the construction. There are imitations in plaster and wood, which are mere decorative features.

3. (n.) One of a pair; a counterpart; as, one vase is the pendant to the other vase.

4. (n.) A pendulum.

5. (n.) The stem and ring of a watch, by which it is suspended.

PENDANT

pen'-dant (from French from Latin pendeo, "to hang"): Not in the King James Version. Twice in the Revised Version (British and American).

(1) netiphoth (the King James Version "collars"), ornaments of the Midianites captured by Gideon (Judges 8:26).

(2) netiphoth (the King James Version "chains"), an article of feminine apparel (Isaiah 3:19). The reference seems to be (Cheyne, "Isaiah" Polychrome Bible (HDB, III, 739)) to ear-drops, pearl or gold ornaments resembling a drop of Water, fastened, probably, to the lobe of the ear.

5188. netiphah -- a drop, pendant
... 5187, 5188. netiphah. 5189 . a drop, pendant. Transliteration: netiphah
Phonetic Spelling: (net-ee-faw') Short Definition: earrings. ...
/hebrew/5188.htm - 6k

6060. anaq -- a necklace, neck pendant
... 6059, 6060. anaq. 6061 . a necklace, neck pendant. Transliteration:
anaq Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nawk') Short Definition: bands. ...
/hebrew/6060.htm - 6k

7720. saharon -- moon, crescent
... ornament, round tire like the moon. From the same as cahar; a round pendant for
the neck -- ornament, round tire like the moon. see HEBREW cahar. 7719, 7720. ...
/hebrew/7720.htm - 6k

The Last visit.
... brook which had so oft before murmured in His ear during night-seasons of deep
sorrow"He must have passed by GETHSEMANE"the thick Olives pendant with dew ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xxi the last visit.htm

Works by G Campbell Morgan
... "It is not an indifferent problem of abstract philosophy, but an urgent question
of every-day life, and it is not as a pendant, but as a practical man, that Mr ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on power/works by g campbell morgan.htm

This ChapterSpeaks of the Manner in which God Communicates with ...
... stone of the highest value and powers, which, though we have not seen it, we are
certain is in the case, and its virtues benefit us when we wear the pendant. ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter ix this chapter speaks.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... bring disgrace upon yourself, and the Lord cast you down in your meeting' (same
words as in James 2:2). The paragraph is therefore a pendant loosely attached ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

The Vatican Council, 1870.
... 1870. Chief organ of the Jesuits and Infallibilists. Louis Veuillot: Rome
pendant le Concile, Paris, 1870, 2 vols. Collection of ...
/.../ 31 the vatican council.htm

Introduction to Apologia De Fuga.
... As a pendant to this vindication of flight on principle comes a short (23) but weighty
rebuke of persecution as inherently devilish to de diokein diabolikon ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/introduction to apologia de fuga.htm

The Gallican Confession. AD 1559.
... His history was put in the Index Expurg.1609. Lacretelle: Histoire de France
pendant les guerres de la religion. Paris, 1822, 4 vols. ...
/.../ 62 the gallican confession.htm

The Adventures of Saint Andrew of Scotland.
... Thrice had Saint Andrew traced his war-steed up and down the lists, flourishing
his lance, at the top whereof hung a pendant of gold, on which, in silver ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter eight the adventures of.htm

Author's Introduction,
... Des Doctrines Religieuses des Juifs pendant les Deux Siecles Anterieurs al'Ere
Chretienne, par M. Michel Nicolas, professeur a la Faculte de Theologie ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/authors introduction.htm

Excursus on the Vestments of the Early Church.
... I have already said that Bishop Ecclesius of Ravenna is represented with the stole
pendant before, under the chasuble and at the same time with the pallium on ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the vestments of.htm

Pendant (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) One of a pair; a counterpart; as, one vase is the pendant to the other vase.
4. (n.) A pendulum. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PENDANT. ...
/p/pendant.htm - 8k

Earring (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An ornament consisting of a ring passed through the
lobe of the ear, with or without a pendant. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/e/earring.htm - 10k

Pencil (1 Occurrence)

/p/pencil.htm - 8k

Nosejewels
... Usually there were pendant from the metal ring jewels, beads or coral. Such ornaments
are still worn in some parts of the East. See also AMULET; JEWEL. ...
/n/nosejewels.htm - 8k

Natives (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:15 girded with girdles upon their loins, with pendant turbans upon their
heads, all of them captains to look upon, the likeness of the sons of ...
/n/natives.htm - 8k

Nose-jewels (1 Occurrence)
... Usually there were pendant from the metal ring jewels, beads or coral. Such ornaments
are still worn in some parts of the East. See also AMULET; JEWEL. ...
/n/nose-jewels.htm - 9k

Fishhook (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A hook for catching fish. 2. (n.) A hook with
a pendant, to the end of which the fish-tackle is hooked. Int. ...
/f/fishhook.htm - 7k

Drop (32 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which resembles, or that which hangs like, a liquid drop; as a hanging
diamond ornament, an earring, a glass pendant on a chandelier, a sugarplum ...
/d/drop.htm - 20k

Pendants (3 Occurrences)

/p/pendants.htm - 7k

Native (35 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:15 girded with girdles upon their loins, with pendant turbans upon their
heads, all of them captains to look upon, the likeness of the sons of ...
/n/native.htm - 19k

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