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Thursday, November 21st, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Ring
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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(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. טבּעת , ṭabba‛ath , the principal Hebrew word, is from טבע , ṭābha‛ , "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, ṭabba‛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). חותם , ḥōthām , "signet," mentioned in Genesis 38:18 , Genesis 38:25; Exodus 28:11 , Exodus 28:21 , Exodus 28:36; Exodus 39:6 , Exodus 39:14 , Exodus 39:30; Jeremiah 22:24; Haggai 2:23 , etc., was probably usually a seal ring, but in Gen 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. גּליל , gālı̄l , "circle" (compare "Galilee," "Circle" of the Gentiles), rendered "ring" in Esther 1:6; Song of Solomon 5:14 , may rather mean "cylinder" or "rod" of metal. Earring (which see) in the King James Version is from totally different words: נזם , nezem , whose etymology is unknown, עגיל , ‛āghı̄l , "round," or לחשׁ , laḥash , "amulet"; so the Revised Version (British and American). The "rings" of the wheels in Ezekiel 1:18 (the King James Version) are גּב , 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, δακτύλιος , daktúlios , "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 χρυσοδακτύλιος , chrusodaktúlios , "golden-ringed," perhaps with more than one, indicated wealth and social rank: "a man with a gold ring" (James 2:2 ). See also EARRING; SIGNET; SEAL .
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Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Ring'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/r/ring.html. 1915.
