Pendants, as referenced in the Bible, are ornamental items often worn as jewelry, typically hanging from a chain or cord around the neck. These adornments have been used throughout history for both decorative and symbolic purposes. In biblical times, pendants were crafted from various materials, including gold, silver, and precious stones, and were sometimes inscribed with symbols or words of significance.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 24:22 · In the account of Abraham's servant seeking a wife for Isaac, Rebekah is given a gold nose ring and bracelets as gifts. While the Berean Standard Bible does not specifically mention a pendant in this verse, the cultural context suggests that such jewelry was common and valued in ancient times.

2. Proverbs 1:8-9 · "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 beauty and value of wisdom and instruction, likening them to precious adornments that enhance one's life.

3. Song of Solomon 1:10-11 · "Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels. We will make you ornaments of gold, studded with silver." This passage highlights the use of jewelry, including pendants, as expressions of beauty and love, reflecting the intimate and affectionate nature of the relationship described in the Song of Solomon.

4. Isaiah 3:18-21 · In a passage describing the judgment on the daughters of Zion, the prophet Isaiah lists various items of adornment that will be taken away, including pendants: "In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents, their pendants, bracelets, and veils..." This indicates the prevalence and importance of such items in the culture of the time.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance:

In biblical times, pendants were not merely decorative but often carried deeper meanings. They could signify wealth, status, or affiliation with a particular group or belief. In some instances, pendants were believed to offer protection or convey blessings, serving as amulets or talismans.

The use of pendants in Scripture often reflects broader themes of beauty, honor, and the value of wisdom and instruction. As seen in Proverbs, the metaphorical use of a pendant underscores the importance of internal virtues over external appearances.

Historical Context:

Archaeological findings from the ancient Near East, including regions such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Canaan, have uncovered various forms of jewelry, including pendants. These artifacts provide insight into the craftsmanship and aesthetic preferences of the time, as well as the trade networks that facilitated the exchange of precious materials.

In summary, pendants in the biblical context serve as a testament to the cultural practices of adornment and the symbolic language of beauty and virtue. They reflect the values and beliefs of the people, offering a glimpse into the spiritual and social fabric of ancient societies.5188. netiphah -- a drop, pendant
... earrings. Word Origin from nataph Definition a drop, pendant NASB Word Usage
dangling earrings (1), pendants (1). chain, collar. From ...
/hebrew/5188.htm - 6k

Mosaic Cosmogony.
... globule, a merely subordinate member of a family of planets, which the terrestrials
had until then fondly imagined to be but pendants and ornaments of their ...
/.../temple/essays and reviews the education of the world/mosaic cosmogony.htm

The Sack of Rome
... Emerald pendants twinkled on each side of his neck, which, as it was rather fat,
with almost feminine curves, suggested at once to the onlookers a comparison ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i the sack of rome.htm

The Tournament at Constantinople.
... steed, betrapped with bars of burnished gold, and whose forehead was beautiful with
a gorgeous plume of purple feathers, from whence hung many pendants of gold ...
/.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter twelve the tournament at.htm

Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments.
... But I have not yet mentioned the principal of them. Then what? "Ear-pendants,
jewelry, ear-rings; Mallow-coloured cluster-shaped anklets; ...
/.../the instructor paedagogus/chapter xiiiagainst excessive fondness for.htm

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... Gold pendants descended from the head-ornament, which sometimes rose like
a tower, or was wreathed in graceful snake-like coils. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

The Spread Net
... While she stood, gazing at him transfixed with the horror of her predicament, there
was the sweeping of garments, the soft tinkle of pendants as they struck ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xvi the spread net.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... continuing to employ cones and cylinders of Babylonian form, borrowed the scarab
type also, and made use of it on the bezils of rings, the pendants of necklaces ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Pagan Cemeteries.
... The pendants are cut in bone, ivory, rock crystal, onyx, jasper, amethyst, amber,
touch-stone, metal, glass, and enamel; and they represent elephants, bells ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vi pagan cemeteries.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 1. <. ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Pendants (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pendants (3 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Isaiah 3:19 the pendants,
and the bracelets, and the mufflers; (See JPS ASV RSV). ...
/p/pendants.htm - 7k

Collar (6 Occurrences)
... 23). The "collars" (Hebrews netiphoth) among the spoils of the Midianites
(Judges 8:26; RV, "pendants") were ear-drops. The same ...
/c/collar.htm - 11k

Pendant (1 Occurrence)

/p/pendant.htm - 8k

Necks (28 Occurrences)
... 8:26 The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was one thousand and seven
hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescents, and the pendants, and the ...
/n/necks.htm - 15k

Necklace (9 Occurrences)
... nek'-las (rabhidh, "chain"): A neck-chain ornament, worn either separately (Ezekiel
16:11), or with pendants (Isaiah 3:19), such as crescents (Isaiah 3:18) or ...
/n/necklace.htm - 10k

Neco (9 Occurrences)
... ne'-ko (nekho (2 Chronicles 35:22; 2 Chronicles 36:4))., "chain"): A neck-chain
ornament, worn either separately (Ezekiel 16:11), or with pendants (Isaiah 3:19 ...
/n/neco.htm - 11k

Worn (29 Occurrences)
... 8:26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was one thousand seven
hundred shekels of gold; besides the crescents and the pendants and the ...
/w/worn.htm - 14k

Requested (29 Occurrences)
... 8:26 The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was one thousand and seven
hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescents, and the pendants, and the ...
/r/requested.htm - 15k

Ear-rings (12 Occurrences)
... 26 And the weight of the golden ear-rings that he requested was a thousand and seven
hundred'shekels of gold, besides the crescents, and the pendants, and the ...
/e/ear-rings.htm - 10k

Earrings (14 Occurrences)
... 8:26 The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was one thousand and seven
hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescents, and the pendants, and the ...
/e/earrings.htm - 11k

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