Bible Dictionary
NECKLACE
A necklace was a chain or ornament worn around the neck, sometimes with pendants, rings, or precious stones. Scripture presents such adornment as a sign of honor or loyalty, but also associates it with pride.
Definition
A necklace is a chain or ornament worn around the neck. It could be worn alone or with pendants, crescents, rings, gold, or strings of jewels. The term may also describe ornamental chains placed on animals associated with royalty.
Biblical Usage
Neck ornaments appear as adornments and signs of wealth or honor. Scripture also associates them with pride and uses them figuratively for filial loyalty, as in the instruction of parents being an ornament to a child.
Historical Background
Such adornments were popular throughout the Bible lands. They were made in varied forms, including gold, pendants, rings, crescents, and strings of jewels.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>nek'-las (rabhidh, "chain"): A neck-chain ornament, worn either separately (Eze 16:11), or with pendants (Isa 3:19), such as crescents (Isa 3:18) or rings (Ge 38:25); sometimes made of gold (Ge 41:42; Da 5:29), or of strings of jewels (So 1:10). Even beasts of burden were sometimes so adorned by royalty (Jud 8:26). It was considered suggestive of pride (Ps 73:6) or of filial loyalty (Pr 1:9). The word does not occur in the King James Version, but such adornments have always been popular in all the Bible lands.</p>