Nose-jewels

Nose-jewels (Hebrew nezem) were ornamental rings worn in the nose or as pendants, a common form of personal adornment for women in the ancient Near East from earliest times. Abraham's servant gave Rebekah a nose-ring of gold as a bridal gift (Genesis 24:47). Proverbs 11:22 uses a gold ring in a pig's snout as a vivid image of beauty without discretion. Isaiah 3:21 lists nose-rings among the many adornments of Jerusalem's daughters that God would take away as judgment. Hosea 2:13 depicts Israel adorning herself with nose-jewels and earrings to pursue her lovers (the Baals) rather than remembering the LORD. The nose-ring thus appears both as a legitimate cultural ornament and as a symbol of misplaced devotion.