Pearls in the Bible

Pearls in the Bible are mentioned nine times.

Included is a short commentary of each verse...and a link where to find more commentaries...did you know that wisdom is beter than fine pearls?

The first mention of pearls in the Bible

Job 28:18

“Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned: And the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls."(New American Standard)

NOTE: In the beginning chapter 28 Job is describing the treasures found in the earth and how men seek them out…for example: iron is taken from the dust (:2); copper is smelted from rock (:2); rocks are a source for sapphires(:6); dust contains gold…BUT…where can wisdom be found? (:12)

It’s as though Job is saying…pearls are the most valuable, sought after gem…but wisdom is even more precious.

Second mention of pearls in the Bible

Pearl=Margarites (in Greek) See pearl names here

Matthew 7:6

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

NOTE: Truth is precious, Jesus is precious...we must not unwittingly expose ourselves to people violently opposed to the gospel.

See more about pearls before swine here.

Third mention of pearls in the Bible

Matthew 13:45

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls.”

NOTE: I’ve used this on my home page. Matthew is using a variety of similes for the kingdom of heaven…a pearl is a perfect simile because a fine pearl is a valuable treasure that needs no polishing or cutting by man. It comes to us complete and lustrous created by God through nature, as is the kingdom of heaven, which only God could create and perfect.

Fourth mention of pearls in the Bible

Matthew 13:46

“and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

NOTE: It is easy to part with things when you find something better. Before I take an international trip I often have a large garage sale…funny how easy it is to sell things when my eye is on a trip of more value.

Finding Jesus, the Pearl of Great Price (read my story), is worth everything. We should let nothing hold us back from following Him.

Fifth mention of pearls in the Bible

I Timothy 2:9

“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments;”

NOTE: Boy, what would Queen Elizabeth I (the “Pearl Queen”) say about this? I understand she even had fake pearls made in abundance so she could sew them on to all her fancy dresses. To her they symbolized power. In this verse, apostle Paul is exhorting godly women to not worry so much about outward power, but inward godliness (which, of course, is very powerful).

Sixth mention of pearls in the Bible

Revelation 17:4

“And the woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality,”

NOTE: This woman, a symbol of Babylon, clothed with the riches of the world…but only for herself…not sharing even a tithe with the needy. Let us be careful, that in our wealth of stocks and bonds and worldly possessions…we give of it to help those less fortunate.

Seventh mention of pearls in the Bible

Revelation 18:12

“cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble,”

NOTE: These are the cargo contents of merchants of the earth, who work in conjunction with Babylon and mourn when business goes awry.

Does this mean “things” are bad? No, merchandise isn’t “bad,” but greed is…very, very bad. Priorities must be straight: Love God, love one another…two simple guidelines to go by.

Eighth mention of pearls in the Bible

Revelation 18:16

“Saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothe in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls;..”

NOTE: Pearls…again listed among the treasures of the earth…valuable and sought after. Is it wrong to have treasure and wealth? Should our goal be to be poor? Certainly not…but the danger lies in hording and gaining to the detriment of others. Plus, the most over-looked habit is…tithing. Tithing...a simple 10%...not much when one looks at the benefits. God doesn’t even require as much as Uncle Sam…and although we don’t like paying taxes…we do have benefits from them…just remember that next time you drive on a highway. But God’s benefits are even greater, in Malachi 3:10, He says he will pour out so many blessings that we won’t even have room for them all.

Ninth mention of pearls in the Bible

Revelation 21:21

“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”

NOTE: This is my favorite Bible verse about pearls. What a great verse about to end with. Can you imagine gigantic pearls as gates? I’ve tried to picture them in my mind and really can’t. How would they be hinged? Would they be sliced and carved? No, I don’t think so. But they’d be lustrous, round, clean surfaced, and without spot or blemish…something worth seeing.

If you enjoyed pearls in the Bible, you may like to read my page about what and who pearl symbolize.

For more detailed information about these verses, including various translations, further research in Hebrew and Greek and excellent commentaries, I suggest going to Blue Letter Bible.

Proverbs 31 tells of a virtuous woman and the many traits and talents of this "Wonder Woman". You can learn to be more like this lady and even join a forum to discuss her by clicking on the link I've highlighted.