‘ And Gideon said to them, “I would desire a request of you, that you would give me, every man, the earrings (or nose-rings) from his spoil.” (For they had golden earrings (or nose rings) because they were Ishmaelites).'
Ishmaelites were rated as Midianites, possibly as a sub-tribe (see also Genesis 37:28). Here Gideon wanted their earrings/noserings because they symbolised the enemy and he wanted to create a memorial to their destruction, no doubt also incorporating the crescents and golden camel chains he had taken from the dead kings (Judges 8:26). Earrings were widely worn by nomads. They were of no use to Israel who, at times when they were being faithful to Yahweh, abjured them. They symbolised unfaithfulness (Exodus 33:4-6).