What Does The Bible Say About Men Wearing Earrings? (Asked The Second Time)

20. What Does The Bible Say About Men Wearing Earrings? (Asked The Second Time)

Question: What about men wearing earrings, nose rings and other jewelry in their tongues, lips, eyelids, breasts, noses, etc.?

Answer: I have been asked this question often. In Judges 8:1-35, Gideon had led Israel to victory over the Ishmaelites. These were men of war (the Ishmaelites) and were wearing golden earrings. Gideon's army had taken these from their "prey." Notice Judges 8:24,

"And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)" From Psalms 83:1-6 we learn that the Ishmaelites were enemies and haters of God (Judges 8:2). They hated God's people, Israel (Judges 8:3), and they wanted to destroy them as a nation (Judges 8:4-5). Here, again, earrings are worn by men who want nothing to do with God or His people.

Another very interesting account of men wearing earrings is recorded in the Book of Job 42:1-17. After all Job's adversity, testings and trials,

"…The LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." (Job 42:10) THEN CAME there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before…" (Job 42:11 a) The question we ask is, Why did not his so-called acquaintances, and his brothers and sisters come to comfort Job for the Lord during his trials when he needed their encouragement; instead of waiting until they were over and God had doubly blessed him? It appears they thought the God Job worshipped was an evil god. God records their thoughts as Job 42:11 continues, "…And they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him…" Their comfort was not God-centered; but, only sympathy for Job for the "evil his God had done to him." Isn't it interesting they never made mention or praised the true Jehovah God for blessing Job doubly after his trials. The reason is…Job's brothers and sisters were unbelievers!

Since Job's brothers, sisters, and friends were unbelievers, this accounts for why Job interceded and prayed continually for all his sons and daughters. (Job 1:2; Job 1:5). He, no doubt, was afraid of the influence his unbelieving brothers and sisters might have on his sons and daughters when he wasn't present. This is why he,

"…offered burnt offerings according to the number of them al1: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts."

WHY? Because of his God-denying brothers, sisters, and other acquaintances. Now, back to Job 42:11 where Job's brothers and sisters brought him, "every one an earring of gold." Once more we have men also wearing earrings who are unbelievers.

There is nothing wrong that we find with women using cosmetics with a right motive. 1 Timothy 2:9 says, "In like manner also, that women adorn (Greek "kosmeo," our English "cosmetics") themselves in modest apparel…"

And, of course, we must also mention the possibility of men and women engaging in the popular pastime of "cross-dressing."

"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman‟s garments: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." (Deuteronomy 22:5).