From: "Ron Rose" ([email protected])
Subject: Re: is it Appropriate for Christians to practice body Modifications
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 12:01:10 -0500
I read your article on the net. It was one of the best articles on the subject I have seen and I agree with everything you wrote. I did extensive research on the subject myself because I am a Christian with many tattoos and ear piercings. Since I am a guy, I am being constantly judged by my fellow Christians because of my earrings. I developed a study guide on the subject of jewelry in the old and new testaments to calm my critics.

I used two of the best Bible software programs available to do my research. The definitions for the Hebrew and Greek words came from strong's Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. The numbers are the Strong numbers. I thought you might like a copy. It really helped me to understand the proper context of jewelry in the Bible. I concluded that as long as I don't make my jewelry more important than my relationship with Christ that I am not doing anything that God will frown on.

Here is a copy of the study guide.

Hebrew and Greek definitions of words used for jewelry in the old testament:
  1. nexem (neh'-zem) a) a nose ring [woman's ornament]; b) an earring [ornament of men or women] (5141)
  2. tabba'ath a) signet ring [as symbol of authority]; b) a ring [as ornament] (2885)
  3. keliy (kel-ee') any apparatus [as an implement, utensil, dress jewel, vessel or weapon] (3627)
  4. Zahab (zaw-hawb') to shimmer; gold, figuratively something gold-colored (2091)
  5. chach (khawkh) a ring for the nose [or lips] (2397)
  6. `ets'adah (ets-aw-daw') properly, a stepchain; by analogy, a bracelet (685)
  7. agiyl (aw-gheel') something round, i.e. ring [for the ears] (5694)
  8. charuwz (khaw-rooz) to perforate; properly, pierced, i.e. a string of pearls (2737)
  9. 'ekec (eh'-kes) an anklet; a tinkling ornament (5914)
  10. netiyphah (net-ee-faw') a pendant for the ears [especially of pearls] (5188)
  11. tsamiyd (tsaw-meed') a bracelet or arm-clasp (6781)
  12. rabiyd (raw-beed') a chain (an ornament for neck, a necklace) (7242)
  13. 'izqa (aramaic) (iz-kaw') a signet-ring [as engraved] (5824)
  14. chelyah (khel-yaw') a trinket (2481)
  15. chrusion (khroo-see'on) a) used of golden ornaments; b) used of precious things made of gold (5553)
  16. margarites (mar-gar-ee'-tace) from margaros [a pearl-oyster]; a pearl (3135)
  17. chrusodaktulios (khroo-sod-ak-too'lee-os) wearing a golden finger-ring (5554)
Directions - Look up the verses listed below. Determine the definition of the Hebrew or Greek word for the jewelry discussed in the verses from the list above.

First - decide whether the verse speaks about

A. a man or men
B. a woman or women
C. both men and women
D. neither men nor women
Then place the appropriate letter in the space provided next to the verse reference.

Second - decide whether it is

E. just a statement of fact
F. used in a positive way
G. used in a negative way
H. A command
Then place the appropriate letter in the space provided next to the verse reference 
Verse                Hebrew or Greek word used      First     Second  
1.  Gen 24:22   1    ______________________________ _________ _________
2.  Gen 24:27   1    ______________________________ _________ _________
3.  Gen 24: 53  3    ______________________________ _________ _________
4.  Exod 32: 2  1    ______________________________ _________ _________
5.  Exod 32: 24 4    ______________________________ _________ _________
6.  Exod 35: 22 5, 1 & 3 __________________________ _________ _________
7.  Num 31: 50  3, 4, 6, 2 & 7 ____________________ _________ _________
8.  Esther 8: 8 2    ______________________________ _________ _________
9.  Esther 8: 2 2    ______________________________ _________ _________
10. Dan 6: 17   13   ______________________________ _________ _________
11. Judg 8: 24  1    ______________________________ _________ _________
12. Song 1: 10-11   4 & 8 _________________________ _________ _________
13. Isaiah 3: 17-21 9 & 10 ________________________ _________ _________
14. Ezek 16: 11-12  11, 1 & 7 _____________________ _________ _________
15. Ezek 16: 12 1 & 7 _____________________________ _________ _________
16. Ezek 16: 17 3    ______________________________ _________ _________
17. Prov 11: 22 1    ______________________________ _________ _________
18. Hosea 2: 13 1 & 4 _____________________________ _________ _________
19. Gen 41: 42  2    ______________________________ _________ _________
20. Job 42: 11  1 & 4 _____________________________ _________ _________
21. Exodus 21: 5-6   ______________________________ _________ _________
22. 1 Peter 3: 3-15  ______________________________ _________ _________
23. James 2: 2-17    ______________________________ _________ _________
24. 1 Tim 2: 9-16    ______________________________ _________ _________
I hope this helps people understand that jewelry and body piercing are not wrong for the Christian. If you feel like it, complete the questions on the study guide and let me know what you think.

With kind regards,
Ron Rose
[email protected]
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