EARRING. Earrings have been a popular ornament from the remotest antiquity, the earliest mention in Genesis 35:4. Earrings are frequently mentioned in the OT. The earring mentioned in Genesis 24:47 (KJV) is rendered a nose ring in the RSV. They were often regarded as amulets or talismans (Gen 35:4), as they still are in the E. Among all Oriental peoples, except the Hebrews and Egyptians, earrings were in general use by both sexes; but Exodus 32:2 shows that at least in the time of Moses they were also worn by Israelite boys. In the W they have been largely female ornaments. Judges 8:24, 25 records that the Ishmaelites wore earrings. Prior to the 4th cent. b.c., Gr. statues had the ear lobes perforated so that earrings might be hung from them. Usually they were made of gold or silver.