Lexical Summary
tabbaath: Ring
Original Word:טַבַּעַת
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:tabba`ath
Pronunciation:tab-bah'-ath
Phonetic Spelling:(tab-bah'-ath)
KJV: ring
NASB:rings, signet ring, ring, signet rings, finger rings
Word Origin:[fromH2883 (טָּבַע - sunk)]
1. (properly) a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing)
2. (hence, generally) a ring of any kind
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
ring
Fromtaba'; properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. Signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a ring of any kind -- ring.
see HEBREWtaba'
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
tabaDefinitionsignet ring, ring, signet
NASB Translationfinger rings (1), ring (2), rings (37), signet ring (7), signet rings (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(on formation see Lag
BN 88; Assyrian
‰imbu°u,
seal-ring, Muss-Arn
l.c.) — absolute
Exodus 26:24 3t.; construct
id.Esther 3:12 3t.;
Genesis 41:42 2t.; plural absolute
Isaiah 3:1;
Exodus 28:23;
Exodus 25:12 (twice in verse) + 14 t. construct
Exodus 28:23 2t.;
Exodus 25:12 12t.; suffix
Exodus 28:28;
Exodus 39:21;
Exodus 26:29;
Exodus 36:34; —
signet-ring, of king, taken from his hand and given as token of authorityGenesis 41:42 (E),Esther 3:10;Esther 8:2; used in sealing official missivesEsther 3:12;Esther 8:8 (twice in verse);Esther 8:10 (verb ).
ring, as ornamentIsaiah 3:21; as gift for sacred purposedExodus 35:22;Numbers 31:50 (both P).
(only in Exodus) of rings for staves of ark, for curtains, for ephod, and other sacred furnitureExodus 25:12 (3 t. in verse) + 35 t. in Exodus (all P).
Topical Lexicon
Overviewטַבַּעַת (“ring”) serves as both a utilitarian fitting and a personal article of authority or adornment. Its approximately forty-nine attestations span the Pentateuch, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, and Esther, portraying a spectrum from humble tabernacle hardware to the potent emblem of royal power.
Structural Hardware in the Tabernacle and Temple
1. Ark of the Covenant – Four gold rings held the carrying poles (Exodus 25:12–15; 37:3–5).
2. Table of the Bread of the Presence – Similar rings secured its poles (Exodus 25:26–28; 37:14–15).
3. Altar of Burnt Offering – Bronze rings received the staves (Exodus 27:4–7; 38:5–7).
4. Altar of Incense – Gold rings fastened the poles (Exodus 30:4–5; 37:27–28).
5. Ephod Breastpiece – Gold rings linked the shoulder pieces and breastpiece, ensuring that “the breastpiece would not swing out from the ephod” (Exodus 28:26–28).
6. Tent Curtains and Frames – Rings coupled panels and bars (Exodus 26:6; 36:11).
7. Temple Lavers – “There were four supports at the four corners of each stand, and the supports were of one piece with the stand” (1 Kings 7:30-36), incorporating rings for maneuvering the massive bronze carts.
In these contexts טַבַּעַת is purely functional, yet even here its precious materials (gold or bronze) underscore the holiness of the objects it serves. The permanent attachment of the poles to the Ark (“the poles are to remain in the rings,”Exodus 25:15) teaches the mobility of God’s presence with His people.
Personal Adornment and Signet Authority
1. Pharaoh and Joseph – “Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand, put it on Joseph’s hand, clothed him in fine linen garments, and put a gold chain around his neck” (Genesis 41:42).
2. King Ahasuerus and Haman/Mordecai – The transfer of the royal ring twice alters the fate of an entire nation (Esther 3:10, 8:2, 8:8, 8:10).
3. Free-will Offerings – Israelite men and women contributed “brooches, earrings, rings, and necklaces—all kinds of gold jewelry” for the tabernacle (Exodus 35:22; cf.Numbers 31:50).
4. Proverbs – “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion” (Proverbs 11:22), using the item to illustrate moral incongruity.
Here the ring functions as:
• A credential of delegated authority (Genesis 41; Esther).
• A symbol of personal wealth used for worship (Exodus, Numbers).
• An object lesson in wisdom literature (Proverbs).
Rings in Legal and Political Transactions
When Pharaoh or Ahasuerus hands over his ring, authority to enact irreversible law is conferred. Sealed documents bear the sovereign’s will (Esther 8:8). The permanence of such decrees foreshadows the irrevocable nature of the New Covenant sealed by Christ’s blood.
Representative of Covenant and Stewardship
The priests bore the sacred vessels with poles fixed in rings; they dared not touch the holy things directly (Numbers 4:15). The ring therefore mediates contact—an image of Christ the Mediator who grants access while preserving divine holiness.
Offerings and Acts of Devotion
The people’s voluntary surrender of personal rings for the tabernacle (Exodus 35:22) contrasts sharply with the sin of fashioning the golden calf from similar ornaments (Exodus 32:2-4, though the word there is עָגִיל). The same asset either glorifies God or serves idolatry, depending on the heart.
Prophetic and Typological Significance
Jeremiah’s vision of the future Davidic leader as the LORD’s “signet ring” (Jeremiah 22:24 uses חֹתָם, yet the concept parallels טַבַּעַת) points to Messiah as Yahweh’s irrevocable pledge. The royal ring episodes strengthen this thread: when the king’s ring seals, no rival power can annul the edict (Esther 8:8). Likewise, the salvation decree in Christ stands sure.
Lessons for Ministry Today
• Authority is delegated, not inherent. Joseph and Mordecai use the ring’s power for preservation, modeling servant leadership.
• Worship demands costly, willing gifts; rings surrendered in devotion become components of God’s dwelling.
• Holy service requires separation. The rings insulated bearers from direct contact with sancta, calling ministers to handle sacred truth with reverence.
• Symbols matter. A small gold ring could move empires; faithful stewardship of apparently minor gifts can have vast impact for the kingdom.
Key References
Genesis 41:42;Exodus 25:12-15;Exodus 27:4-7;Exodus 28:26-28;Exodus 35:22;Numbers 31:50;1 Kings 7:30-36;Esther 3:10;Esther 8:2-10;Proverbs 11:22
Forms and Transliterations
בְּטַבְּעֹת֙ בְּטַבַּ֣עַת בְּטַבַּ֥עַת בַּטַּבָּעֹ֑ת בַּטַּבָּעֹ֔ת בַּטַּבָּעֹ֗ת בטבעת הַטַּבַּ֖עַת הַטַּבָּע֔וֹת הַטַּבָּע֖וֹת הַטַּבָּעֹ֑ת הַטַּבָּעֹ֔ת הטבעות הטבעת וְטַבַּ֤עַת וטבעת טַבְּע֣וֹת טַבְּעֹ֣ת טַבְּעֹ֤ת טַבְּעֹ֨ת טַבְּעֹֽתֵיהֶם֙ טַבְּעֹתָם֙ טַבַּ֖עַת טַבַּעְתּ֖וֹ טַבַּעְתּ֗וֹ טַבַּעְתּוֹ֙ טַבָּע֔וֹת טַבָּעֹ֔ת טַבָּעֹ֗ת טַבָּעֹ֛ת טבעות טבעת טבעתו טבעתיהם טבעתם מִֽטַּבְּעֹתָ֞יו מִטַּבְּעֹתָיו֩ מטבעתיו baṭ·ṭab·bā·‘ōṯ baṭṭabbā‘ōṯ battabbaOt bə·ṭab·ba·‘aṯ bə·ṭab·bə·‘ōṯ bəṭabba‘aṯ betabBaat bəṭabbə‘ōṯ betabbeOt haṭ·ṭab·ba·‘aṯ haṭ·ṭab·bā·‘ō·wṯ haṭ·ṭab·bā·‘ōṯ haṭṭabba‘aṯ haṭṭabbā‘ōṯ haṭṭabbā‘ōwṯ hattabBaat hattabbaOt miṭ·ṭab·bə·‘ō·ṯāw miṭṭabbə‘ōṯāw mittabbeoTav ṭab·ba‘·tōw ṭab·ba·‘aṯ ṭab·bā·‘ō·wṯ ṭab·bā·‘ōṯ ṭab·bə·‘ō·ṯām ṭab·bə·‘ō·ṯê·hem ṭab·bə·‘ō·wṯ ṭab·bə·‘ōṯ ṭabba‘aṯ ṭabbā‘ōṯ ṭabbā‘ōwṯ ṭabba‘tōw tabBaat tabbaOt tabbaTo ṭabbə‘ōṯ ṭabbə‘ōṯām ṭabbə‘ōṯêhem ṭabbə‘ōwṯ tabbeOt tabbeoTam tabbeoteiHem vetabBaat wə·ṭab·ba·‘aṯ wəṭabba‘aṯ
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