While most church pastors in Christianity does not wear earrings themselves, they do not condemn the act. In this post, we will discuss Scripture verses for men’s earrings and how the act of men wearing earrings is considered an abomination to God.
A fresco depicting an elegantly dressed woman with hoop earrings from Akrotiri, Thera (Cyclades) Greece, c. 1650-1625 BCE
Foriegn gods and earrings
And Jacob said to his household and to all who [were] with him, “Put away the foreign gods that [are] among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. … So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which [were] in their hands, and the earrings which [were] in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which [was] by Shechem.
Gen 35:2,4
When Jacob instructed his household to put away foriegn gods and purify themselves, they gave him not only foriegn gods but also their earrings. While the verse does not explicitly mention about men’s earrings, it is associated with foriegn gods and impurity.
Israelite men never had earrings
And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings which [are] in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring [them] to me.”
Exod 32:2
The above verse seems to suggest that men wore earrings.
And Aaron says to them, Take off the golden ear-rings which are in the ears of your wives and daughters, and bring them to me. (LXXE)
Exod 32:2 (LXX)
However, looking into Septuagint, it does not mention men.
Then Gideon said to them, “I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder.” For they had golden earrings, because they [were] Ishmaelites.
Judg 8:24
Also in Judges, when Gideon defeated Ishmaelites, the author clearly mention about Ishmaelite men wearing earrings but not Israelites. Hence, Israelite men did not wore any earrings.
Earring on men is an abomination
A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so [are] an abomination to the LORD your God.
Deut 22:5
When God gave laws to Israel through Moses, He clearly instructs men not to wore anything that pretends to be women and women must not wear men’s garments. Hence, it is extremely clear that men wearing earrings are an abomination to God.
Conclusion
Ancient Israelite men did not wear any earrings. Earrings are always for women as we can see in Ezek 16:12 how God adorns Israel by portaying it as a woman. As in the law, if men wore anything that pertains to a women and vice versa, it is an abomination to God.
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Loretta
3 years ago
This is an interesting study . As I was just thinking about this the other day . I was wondering if since it says in Leviticus 19 not to pierce your body , wouldn’t it be wrong for a woman to pierce her Ears ? But we also see Earrings, and Jewelry being mentioned that were worn in Ancient Times . Wondering if its okay or proper for a Woman who follows Jesus to wear Earrings , especially if her Ears are already pierced?
Earrings for women shouldn’t be a problem as we see in Ezek 16:12, where God adorns Israel with earrings by portraying it as a women. We also see in Prov 25:12 where earring is compared in a good way. Lev 19:28 and Deut 14:1 are specifically cuttings on flesh for the dead as the verse states. Otherwise, many medical surgeries and procedures (may be even circumcision) would be against God.
Wonderful insight ! I never thought about how it could relate to circumcision and surgeries ! But it is wrong for men to wear Earrings. I so agree. Thank you for your reply.
Jeremiah
2 years ago
Septuigent is irrelevant, the Hebrew Bible was written in Hebrew not in greek. Simple. I do not wear earrings myself and nor do I allow my sons to wear them, but saying that a man wearing earrings is an abomination or sinful is you just putting your culture on par with scripture. Repent!
Wearing anything that pertains to the opposite sex is an abomination to God as in Deut 22:5. Does your Hebrew says otherwise? The verse mentioned to show in Septuigent has nothing to do with calling it abomination. Don’t comment with half-baked information without reading the post properly.
This is an interesting study . As I was just thinking about this the other day . I was wondering if since it says in Leviticus 19 not to pierce your body , wouldn’t it be wrong for a woman to pierce her Ears ? But we also see Earrings, and Jewelry being mentioned that were worn in Ancient Times . Wondering if its okay or proper for a Woman who follows Jesus to wear Earrings , especially if her Ears are already pierced?
Earrings for women shouldn’t be a problem as we see in Ezek 16:12, where God adorns Israel with earrings by portraying it as a women. We also see in Prov 25:12 where earring is compared in a good way. Lev 19:28 and Deut 14:1 are specifically cuttings on flesh for the dead as the verse states. Otherwise, many medical surgeries and procedures (may be even circumcision) would be against God.
Wonderful insight ! I never thought about how it could relate to circumcision and surgeries ! But it is wrong for men to wear Earrings. I so agree. Thank you for your reply.
Septuigent is irrelevant, the Hebrew Bible was written in Hebrew not in greek. Simple. I do not wear earrings myself and nor do I allow my sons to wear them, but saying that a man wearing earrings is an abomination or sinful is you just putting your culture on par with scripture. Repent!
Wearing anything that pertains to the opposite sex is an abomination to God as in Deut 22:5. Does your Hebrew says otherwise? The verse mentioned to show in Septuigent has nothing to do with calling it abomination. Don’t comment with half-baked information without reading the post properly.