Ornaments and adornments
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
, especially those worn by women, existed among the Hebrews from the most ancient times, from the days of the patriarchs (Gen. 24:47). The inventor of women’s ornaments is considered to be Naamah, sister of Tubal-cain (Gen. 4:22). Men, for the most part, confined themselves to wearing signet rings, rings, and staffs (Gen. 38:18 and others), and did not cut their hair or shave their beards (Ezek. 44:20, Judg. 16:13). Israelite women wore in their ears not only earrings (Gen. 24:47) but also nose rings, made partly of metal, partly of precious stones or pearls (Song of Songs 1:9, 10).
Around their necks they wore several necklaces, to which were sometimes attached, on little chains, small boxes or vials of perfume (Is. 3:19); on their arms they wore several rings, little chains, bracelets, and signet rings (Gen. 24:22, 30, Ezek. 16:11). There were adornments for the feet as well, that is, anklets, or bands worn around the shin, near the ankle, were worn. These bands were made of ivory, gold, silver, or other metal. Sometimes they were adorned with small metal bells, so that during walking, at the movement of the feet, they would make a jingling sound.
Besides this, Hebrew women used polished hand mirrors of copper (Sirach 12:11), which, as an ornament, it should be supposed, were carried in the hand. They also loved to arrange the hair upon their heads (1 Pet. 3:3, 4). The adornment of brides even became proverbial (Is. 61:10, Jer. 2:32). Concerning women’s