Definition and Cultural Context:
Piercings refer to the practice of creating an opening in the body to insert jewelry. This practice has been observed in various cultures throughout history for aesthetic, cultural, or religious reasons. In biblical times, piercings were often associated with adornment and could signify wealth, status, or identity.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament:
· Genesis 24:22 : "And after the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels." This passage describes the servant of Abraham giving Rebekah a nose ring and bracelets as a sign of betrothal, indicating that piercings were used as symbols of commitment and wealth.
· Exodus 32:2-3 : "Aaron replied, 'Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons, and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.' So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron." Here, earrings are mentioned as common adornments among the Israelites, which were later used to create the golden calf, highlighting the potential for jewelry to be misused in idolatry.
· Ezekiel 16:12 : "And I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head." This metaphorical language used by God to describe His adornment of Jerusalem suggests that piercings were considered part of beautification and honor.

2. New Testament:
· The New Testament does not explicitly mention body piercings. However, it addresses the broader topic of adornment and modesty. For instance, 1 Peter 3:3-4 advises, "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." This passage emphasizes inner beauty over external adornment, which can be applied to the discussion of piercings.

Theological and Ethical Considerations:
From a conservative Christian perspective, the practice of piercings is often evaluated in light of biblical principles of modesty, stewardship of the body, and cultural context. While the Bible does not explicitly prohibit piercings, it encourages believers to consider their motivations and the message their appearance conveys. The body is viewed as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and thus, decisions about body modifications should reflect a desire to honor God.

Historical and Cultural Practices:
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, piercings were common and often signified social status or religious devotion. Earrings and nose rings were typical adornments for both men and women. In some cases, piercings were also associated with servitude, as seen in Exodus 21:6 , where a servant who chose to remain with his master had his ear pierced as a sign of lifelong service.

Modern Implications:
Today, Christians may have varying views on piercings, influenced by cultural norms and personal convictions. Some may see piercings as a form of self-expression, while others may view them as contrary to biblical teachings on modesty and simplicity. Ultimately, the decision to have piercings should be made with careful consideration of biblical principles, personal motives, and the potential impact on one's witness as a follower of Christ.

January 5 Evening
... A whisperer separateth chief friends."There is that speaketh like the
piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/january 5 evening.htm

Psalm CXVIII.
... all nations. They consumed this sinful flesh, and the grievous piercings
of this mortal life, in the flame of persecution. "Taken ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxviii.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... Yea, they speak like the piercings of a sword, against the godly, ver.18. If our
state and church had a lip of truth, they would speak always the same thing. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Death to Sin through Christ
... The shafts and the smiting of sin seem really like the piercings of an arrow,
as if arrows from the Almighty did really drink up your spirit. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xxiii death to sin through.htm

Psalm LVIII.
... would be ended. Then the thorns of that bramble, that is, all pains and
piercings of tortures shall be brought forth. Such thorns ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lviii.htm

Separating the Precious from the Vile
... those are not the piercings of the nails, nor the gash of the spear-thrust; whence
come those wounds" I hear him mournfully reply, "These are the wounds which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/separating the precious from the.htm

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
... Hence, to hear others talk foolishly, is to the grief of those whom God has wounded:
or, as it is in another place, their words are 'like the piercings of a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm

Piercings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Piercings (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 12:18 There is that
speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. ...
/p/piercings.htm - 6k

Piercing (7 Occurrences)

/p/piercing.htm - 8k

Piety (21 Occurrences)

/p/piety.htm - 13k

Babbleth (1 Occurrence)
... Babbleth (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 12:18 There is that babbleth like the piercings
of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health. (DBY). ...
/b/babbleth.htm - 6k

Speaker (10 Occurrences)
... him. (WEB KJV ASV WBS). Proverbs 12:18 A rash speaker is like piercings
of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing. (YLT). ...
/s/speaker.htm - 9k

Pierce (30 Occurrences)
... enemies. (See NIV). Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings
of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health. (See NIV). ...
/p/pierce.htm - 15k

Health (49 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS NIV). Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like
the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. ...
/h/health.htm - 22k

Healing (60 Occurrences)
... (YLT NAS RSV). Proverbs 12:18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword,
And the tongue of the wise is healing. (YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/healing.htm - 32k

What does the Bible say about body piercings? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Church of Body Modification? | GotQuestions.org

Should Christian men or women wear earrings? | GotQuestions.org

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