The Old and New Testaments and other literature from the ancient Near East mention pearls as precious and having purity, beauty, and elegance. The Hebrew word translated as “crystal” in Job 28:18 may be a reference to gemstones. So, what is the meaning of pearls in the Bible?
The first mention of pearls in the Bible is found in Genesis 3:21, where God created a necklace for Eve from one of each kind of animal. The second mention is found in Proverbs 11:22, which states, “Like a gold ring in the snout of a pig—is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.”
With all these references, it’s not hard to see why seeking goodly pearls is crucial in the Bible. They represent God’s love and grace, his creation, and his wisdom and power. The precious pearl is also a symbol of prosperity and abundance.
Contents
What Are Pearls?
Pearls are precious stones[1] that form inside the shell of mollusks, usually oysters. They live in salt water and can be found in various colors, including white, black, and pink.
Pearls are formed when an irritant enters a mollusk’s shell, and the mollusk covers it with nacre. Nacre, also known as the mother of pearl, is a substance made of calcium carbonate, which is also found in the teeth and bones of humans and other animals.
It’s a tough substance that protects the mollusk from predators. The nacre builds up around the irritant over time, eventually forming a precious pearl. Only certain species of mollusks produce pearls. Most notably, oysters, mussels, and abalone.
Like many gems, pearls are valued highly for their beauty and rarity. Some people collect them as an investment because they hold such a great price over time. Others may also go pearl fishing for this good oriental pearl because of its value. However, unlike other gems, which can be cut from larger pieces of rock or mineral, pearls must be harvested from a living creature.
The most common type of precious pearl is the spherical freshwater pearl, mainly produced by mussels. Another type of freshwater pearl is the blister pearl, which forms when an irritant enters the shell of a pearl oyster and causes it to secrete nacre around it, forming a blister-like area on its surface that becomes coated with layers of nacre over time. These blisters can be quite large and may contain several pearls within the pearl oyster at once.
What Does The Bible Say About Pearls?
Pearl of great price is mentioned in the Bible nine times, with most references in the book of Job. It is a precious gem and is also used as an image of the glory of God. Pearls were so valuable in Biblical times that they were sometimes bought at high cost by wealthy people who wanted to show off their wealth and status. In fact, one of Jesus’ parables is about a merchant who sells all he has to buy a single pearl (Matthew 13:45).
The first reference is Job 28:18–19 which says that God “hides wisdom in the depths of the earth” and “seals up the depths of the seas.” In other words, God has hidden wisdom deep within the earth and sea – which can be found by those who search for it diligently enough!
The second reference is from Job 8:9–10 which describes how man seeking goodly pearls only “add weight to his burden” by trying to buy wisdom. While we may think that money buys happiness or success, this passage shows us that it doesn’t! It only adds more weight to our burdens, making them even heavier than they already are!
The third reference is from Job 28:18–19 which says that God “hides wisdom in the deep places of the earth,” but man can only find it “by searching diligently.” In other words, wisdom is hidden deep within all of us, and we must search diligently to find it. Otherwise, we will never discover its secrets!
Pearls are also a symbol of purity, chastity, and innocence. In the Bible, pearls are associated with the woman of Proverbs 31. The woman wears a beautiful robe made of scarlet and purple fabric. She also wears jewels on her neck and in her ears.
One of her most precious jewels is a necklace made of gold, silver, and precious gems. She wears this necklace as a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The woman’s wisdom is also described as pure gold, similar to how the one pearl of great price is described in the Bible.
Who Is The Pearl Of God?
The Bible mentions pearls several times, including in Matthew 7:6 and Revelation 21:21–22. In both cases, the word “pearl” refers to Christ’s bride, the church. This is because, like pearls, Christians are valuable treasures that will one day be found worthy of God’s love and glory.
In Revelation 21:21–22, John sees a holy city coming down from heaven that does not need the sun or moon (these are symbols of Christ’s light) because God’s glory shines on it continually. He also sees that there will be no more death or sorrow because all things have been made new by God’s grace through Jesus’ death on the cross.
So if you’re wondering who the pearl of God is, it’s you. You are a precious child of God, created in His image and redeemed by His grace. This is why we should never cease to thank God for all He has done for us—because Jesus loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
If we understand that God is our Father and that He loves us more than we can imagine, then it should not be difficult for us to see that every good thing in our lives comes from Him. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ came so that we would have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). We are blessed because of His grace and mercy, not because of anything we have done or can do.
Bible Verses About Pearls
Pearls are one of the most precious jewels in the world. The Bible contains many verses about pearls. For example, in Matthew 13:45–46, Jesus says that pearls are among the things you can find in heaven.
The book of Proverbs also mentions pearls several times and gives them as an example of wisdom (see Proverbs 8:10 and 10:20). In Song of Solomon, the writer compares her lover’s lips to “lilies dropping sweet smelling myrrh” (1:13).
In Revelation 17:4, John sees a woman sitting on a scarlet beast. Her clothing is described as purple and scarlet, and she’s decked with gold, precious stones, and pearls.
The Bible also mentions pearls in a few books other than the Gospels and Revelation. In Job 28:18, God describes pearls as being pure, white, and round. In Psalm 45:13, King David compares his wife’s neck to “chains of fine gold.” In the book of Esther, King Ahasuerus gives Queen Esther a beautiful crown studded with one hundred and twenty-seven large pearls.
Conclusion
The Bible uses pearls to symbolize God’s love and grace. Pearls are pure, beautiful, and rare, just like God’s love for His children. They can also represent our own purity and beauty before Him.
Pearls are also a symbol of wealth and royalty, which reminds us that God treasures us more than anything else. As Christians, we have been given gifts by God to use for His glory. We should never forget the great value of our pearls so that we do not become prideful or arrogant.
