Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, rings were significant both as personal adornments and as symbols of authority and covenant. The use of rings is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting their cultural and spiritual importance.
Symbol of Authority and PowerRings often symbolized authority and power, particularly in the context of sealing documents. In
Genesis 41:42, Pharaoh gives Joseph his signet ring, signifying Joseph's new position of authority over Egypt: "Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck." The signet ring was used to stamp official documents, serving as a mark of authenticity and command.
Similarly, in the book of Esther, King Xerxes gives his signet ring to Haman (
Esther 3:10) and later to Mordecai (
Esther 8:2), indicating the transfer of royal authority and the power to enact decrees.
Covenant and CommitmentRings also symbolize covenant and commitment. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father places a ring on his returning son's finger as a sign of restored sonship and acceptance (
Luke 15:22): "But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.'" This act signifies the son's reinstatement into the family and the father's unconditional love and forgiveness.
Adornment and WealthRings were also worn as ornaments, indicating wealth and status. In
James 2:2, the presence of a man wearing a gold ring is used to illustrate partiality within the church: "Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in." This passage highlights the societal tendency to judge based on outward appearances, using the ring as a symbol of wealth.
Cultural PracticesIn ancient Near Eastern cultures, rings were often made of gold, silver, or other precious materials and could be intricately designed. They were worn by both men and women and could be found on fingers, ears, and even noses, as seen in
Genesis 24:22, where Abraham's servant gives Rebekah a gold nose ring as a token of betrothal: "And after the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels."
Spiritual SignificanceThe spiritual significance of rings can also be seen in their use as symbols of divine favor and protection. In the prophetic vision of
Zechariah 3:9, the Lord speaks of engraving an inscription on a stone, which some scholars associate with the imagery of a signet ring, symbolizing God's covenant and promise to His people.
Overall, rings in the Bible serve as multifaceted symbols, representing authority, covenant, wealth, and divine favor. Their presence in biblical narratives underscores their importance in the cultural and spiritual life of the ancient world.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
RingThe ring was regarded as an indispensable article of a Hebrew's attire, inasmuch as it contained his signet. It was hence the symbol of authority. (Genesis 41:42;Esther 3:10) Rings were worn not only by men, but by women. (Isaiah 3:21) We may conclude from (Exodus 28:11) that the rings contained a stone engraven with a device or with the owner's name. The custom appears also to have prevailed among the Jews of the apostolic age. (James 2:2)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Used as an ornament to decorate the fingers, arms, wrists, and also the ears and the nose. Rings were used as a signet (
Genesis 38:18). They were given as a token of investment with authority (
Genesis 41:42;
Esther 3:8-10;
8:2), and of favour and dignity (
Luke 15:22). They were generally worn by rich men (
James 2:2). They are mentioned by Isiah (
3:21) among the adornments of Hebrew women.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To cause to sound, especially by striking, as a metallic body; as, to ring a bell.
2. (v. t.) To make (a sound), as by ringing a bell; to sound.
3. (v. t.) To repeat often, loudly, or earnestly.
4. (v. i.) To sound, as a bell or other sonorous body, particularly a metallic one.
5. (v. i.) To practice making music with bells.
6. (v. i.) To sound loud; to resound; to be filled with a ringing or reverberating sound.
7. (v. i.) To continue to sound or vibrate; to resound.
8. (v. i.) To be filled with report or talk; as, the whole town rings with his fame.
9. (n.) A sound; especially, the sound of vibrating metals; as, the ring of a bell.
10. (n.) Any loud sound; the sound of numerous voices; a sound continued, repeated, or reverberated.
11. (n.) A chime, or set of bells harmonically tuned.
12. (n.) A circle, or a circular line, or anything in the form of a circular line or hoop.
13. (n.) Specifically, a circular ornament of gold or other precious material worn on the finger, or attached to the ear, the nose, or some other part of the person; as, a wedding ring.
14. (n.) A circular area in which races are or run or other sports are performed; an arena.
15. (n.) An enclosed space in which pugilists fight; hence, figuratively, prize fighting.
16. (n.) A circular group of persons.
17. (n.) The plane figure included between the circumferences of two concentric circles.
18. (n.) The solid generated by the revolution of a circle, or other figure, about an exterior straight line (as an axis) lying in the same plane as the circle or other figure.
19. (n.) An instrument, formerly used for taking the sun's altitude, consisting of a brass ring suspended by a swivel, with a hole at one side through which a solar ray entering indicated the altitude on the graduated inner surface opposite.
20. (n.) An elastic band partly or wholly encircling the spore cases of ferns.
21. (n.) A clique; an exclusive combination of persons for a selfish purpose, as to control the market, distribute offices, obtain contracts, etc.
22. (v. t.) To surround with a ring, or as with a ring; to encircle.
23. (v. t.) To make a ring around by cutting away the bark; to girdle; as, to ring branches or roots.
24. (v. t.) To fit with a ring or with rings, as the fingers, or a swine's snout.
25. (v. i.) To rise in the air spirally.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RING(Anglo-Saxon, Hring, "ring"): The word renders (the American Standard Revised Version) two Hebrew words (in the King James Version and the English Revised Version three) and two Greek words. Tabba`ath, the principal Hebrew word, is from Tabha`, "sink," either because the ring is something "cast" or molded, or, more probably, since the principal use of the ring was as a seal, because it "sank" into the wax or clay that received the impression. In Exodus, Tabba`ath, "ring," is a detail of furniture or equipment, as the rings of the ark through which the staves were thrust (Exodus 25:12, etc.), rings for curtains, in the high priest's ephod (Exodus 28:28;Exodus 39:21), etc. Its other use was perhaps the original, to describe the article of personal adornment worn on the finger, apparently in the Old Testament always a signet-ring, and as such an indispensable article of masculine attire. Such a ring Pharaoh gave Joseph as a symbol of authority (Genesis 41:42); and Ahasuerus gave Haman (Esther 3:10); with it the royal missive was sealed (Esther 3:12;Esther 8:8 twice, 10). It was also a feminine ornament in Isaiah's list of the fashionable feminine paraphernalia, "the rings and the nose-jewels" (quite likely rings also) (Isaiah 3:21). Either as ornaments or for their intrinsic value, or both, rings were used as gifts for sacred purposes from both men and women: "brooches, and ear-rings, and signet-rings" (margin "nose-rings") (Exodus 35:22); "bracelets, rings (the American Standard Revised Version "signet-rings"), ear-rings" (Numbers 31:50 the King James Version). chotham, "signet," mentioned inGenesis 38:18, 25Exodus 28:11, 21, 36Exodus 39:6, 14, 30Jeremiah 22:24Haggai 2:23, etc., was probably usually a seal ring, but inGenesis 38 and elsewhere the seal may have been swung on wire, and suspended by a cord from the neck. It was not only an identification, but served as a stamp for signature. galil, "circle" (compare "Galilee," "Circle" of the Gentiles), rendered "ring" inEsther 1:6Songs 5:14, may rather mean "cylinder" or "rod" of metal. Earring (which see) in the King James Version is from totally different words: nezem, whose etymology is unknown, aghil, "round," or lachash, "amulet"; so the Revised Version (British and American). The "rings" of the wheels inEzekiel 1:18 (the King James Version) are gabh, "curved," and mean "rims" (American Standard Revised Version), "felloes." Egyptians especially wore a great profusion of rings, principally of silver or gold, engraved with scarabaei, or other devices. In the New Testament the ring, daktulios, "finger-ring," is a token of means, position, standing: "put a ring on his hand" (Luke 15:22). Perhaps also it included the right to give orders in his father's name. To be chrusodaktulios, "golden-ringed," perhaps with more than one, indicated wealth and social rank: "a man with a gold ring" (James 2:2).
See alsoEARRING;SIGNET; SEAL.
Philip Wendell Crannell
Greek
1146. daktulios -- aring... a
ring. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: daktulios Phonetic Spelling:
(dak-too'-lee-os) Short Definition: a finger-
ring Definition: a finger-
ring...5554. chrusodaktulios -- with a goldring
... with a goldring. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: chrusodaktulios Phonetic
Spelling: (khroo-sod-ak-too'-lee-os) Short Definition: adorned with a gold...
4973. sphragis -- a seal, a signet
... a seal, a signet. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sphragis Phonetic
Spelling: (sfrag-ece') Short Definition: a signet-ring, impression of a seal...
2945. kuklo -- around
... around. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kuklo Phonetic Spelling:
(koo'-klo) Short Definition: a circle Definition: a circle,ring....
4972. sphragizo -- to seal
... 4972 (from 4973 , "a seal") -- properly, to seal (affix) with a signetring or other
instrument to stamp (a roller or seal), ie to , () what is sealed....
5525. choros -- a dance, chorus
... dancing. Of uncertain derivation; aring, ie Round dance ("choir" -- dancing. (choron)
-- 1 Occurrence. 5524, 5525. choros. 5526 . Strong's Numbers.
3738. orcheomai -- to dance
... dance. Middle voice from orchos (a row orring); to dance (from the ranklike
or regular motion) -- dance. (orchesamenes) -- 1 Occurrence....
Strong's Hebrew
2885. tabbaath -- signetring,ring, signet... 2884, 2885. tabbaath. 2886 . signet
ring,
ring, signet. Transliteration: tabbaath
Phonetic Spelling: (tab-bah'-ath) Short Definition: rings.
...5141. nezem -- aring (worn as an ornament)
... 5140, 5141. nezem. 5142 . aring (worn as an ornament). Transliteration:
nezem Phonetic Spelling: (neh'-zem) Short Definition:ring....
5824. izqah -- a signetring
... 5823, 5824. izqah. 5825 . a signetring. Transliteration: izqah Phonetic
Spelling: (iz-kaw') Short Definition:ring. Word Origin...
2858. chothemeth -- signetring
... 2857, 2858. chothemeth. 2859 . signetring. Transliteration: chothemeth
Phonetic Spelling: (kho-the-meth) Short Definition:ring....
2397. chach -- hook,ring, fetter
... 2396, 2397. chach. 2398 . hook,ring, fetter. Transliteration: chach Phonetic
Spelling: (khawkh) Short Definition: hooks. Word Origin...
2336. choach -- briar, bramble, hook,ring, fetter
... 2335, 2336. choach. 2337 . briar, bramble, hook,ring, fetter. Transliteration:
choach Phonetic Spelling: (kho'-akh) Short Definition: bush....
5694. agil -- a hoop,ring
... 5693, 5694. agil. 5695 . a hoop,ring. Transliteration: agil Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-gheel') Short Definition: earrings. Word Origin...
2368. chotham -- a seal, signetring
... 2367, 2368. chotham or chotham. 2369 . a seal, signetring. Transliteration:
chotham or chotham Phonetic Spelling: (kho-thawm') Short Definition: seal....
2838. chashuq -- a fillet orring
... chashuq or chashuq. 2839 . a fillet orring. Transliteration: chashuq or chashuq
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-shook') Short Definition: bands. Word Origin pass....
1550. galil -- a turning, folding
... folding,ring. From galal; a valve of a folding door (as turning); also aring
(as round) -- folding,ring. see HEBREW galal. 1549, 1550. galil. 1551 ....
Library
I was a Wand'ring Sheep.
... I WAS A WAND'RING SHEEP. I was a wand'ring sheep, I did not love the fold: I
did not love my Shepherd's voice, I would not be controlled....
Old and New Year 444.Ring Out, Wild Bells, to the Wild Sky
... IV. SPECIAL OCCASIONS Old and New Year 444.Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky.
LMD... Alfred Tennyson, 1850.Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,....
The Upright Does Nothing that is Contrary to Duty...
... secret. To point this out the tale about thering of Gyges was invented by the
philosophers.... lifeless. He desiring the gold took away thering....
A Certain Trinity in the Sight. That There are Three Things in...
... For when aring is imprinted on wax, it does not follow that no image is produced,
because we cannot discern it unless when it has been separated....
Nicholas of Basle
... About the 1308, he says, there was a son born to a rich merchant named Nicholas
of the GoldenRing, who lived in the city of Basle, and owned property in year...
Gifts to the Prodigal
... XIII to XXIV GIFTS TO THE PRODIGAL. '... Bring forth the best robe, and put it on
him; and put aring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23.... II. TheRing....
On the Study of Zoology.
... So that I can represent a transverse section of thering and its appendages
upon the diagram board in this way. If I now take the...
Women of the Frankish Church
... To ensure confidence in himself, he took with him thering of Clovis. On
his arrival at Geneva, Clotilde received him as a pilgrim...
The Further Adventures of Saint George.
... east, and gilded with her radiant beams the mountain tops, than Sabra repaired to
the Champion's pavilion, and presented him with a diamondring of inestimable...
Reverie.
... REVERIE. Down beside the rippling river 'Neath-the weeping willow-tree, Viewing
nature sweet and lovely, Wond'ring what must heaven be....
Thesaurus
Ring (33 Occurrences)... women. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (vt) To cause to sound, especially
by striking, as a metallic body; as, to
ring a bell. 2. (vt
...Ring-streaked (5 Occurrences)
Ring-streaked. Ringstreaked,Ring-streaked. Rinnah . Noah Webster's Dictionary
(a.) Having circular streaks or lines on the body; as,ring-streaked goats....
Ring-straked (5 Occurrences)
Ring-straked. Ringstraked,Ring-straked. Ringstreaked . Multi-Version
ConcordanceRing-straked (5 Occurrences). Genesis...
Ear-ring (6 Occurrences)
Ear-ring. Earring, Ear-ring. Earrings . Multi-Version Concordance
Ear-ring (6 Occurrences). Genesis 24:22 And it came...
Seal-ring (3 Occurrences)
Seal-ring. Sealing, Seal-ring. Seals . Multi-Version Concordance
Seal-ring (3 Occurrences). Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh...
Nose-ring (4 Occurrences)
Nose-ring. Nose-jewels, Nose-ring. Nose-rings . Multi-Version
Concordance Nose-ring (4 Occurrences). Genesis 24:22 And...
Ring-leader (1 Occurrence)
Ring-leader. Ringleader,Ring-leader. Ringlets . Multi-Version
ConcordanceRing-leader (1 Occurrence). Acts 24:5 For...
Nose-jewels (1 Occurrence)
Nose-jewels. Nosejewels, Nose-jewels. Nose-ring . Easton's Bible
Dictionary Only mentioned in Isaiah 3:21, although refered to...
Nosejewels
... noz-ju'-elz, -joo'-elz (nezem (probably from nazam, "muzzle") a "nose-ring," or
"nose-jewel," so rendered in Isaiah 3:21; "jewel in a swine's snout," Proverbs...
Necklace (9 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his signetring from his hand, and put it upon
Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold...
Resources
What does the Bible say about nose rings / getting a nose ring? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Zerubbabel was the LORD's signet ring (Haggai 2:23)? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian wear a purity ring? | GotQuestions.orgRing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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