RING (טַבַּ֫עַת, H3192; δακτύλιος, G1234). Rings were used in great antiquity, as archeologists have discovered among Assyrian, Babylonian, and Egyptian artifacts. The Patriarchs prob. wore them. Rings for costume were usually of silver or gold, but bronze rings were added to these in furniture. The signet ring, prob. the earliest form, may have been used first to replace the neck cord in bearing the seal (Gen 38:18). The Egyptians, who wore rings in profusion, wore the ring on the finger. The Israelites later wore the signet ring on a finger on the right hand (Jer 22:24). Seals were of a variety of emblems, such as lion, bull, scarab, alligator, and royal designs. The signet ring was used to seal various mutual contracts, esp. of marriage. It was of special importance to royalty, nobility, and social station (James 2:2). Pharaoh gave his signet ring to Joseph as a symbol of authority (Gen 41:42); likewise, Ahasuerus gave his to Haman to seal a royal decree (Esth 3:10, 12). The returning prodigal received a ring from his father as a symbol of dignity (Luke 15:22). Besides finger rings, earrings also were worn by women and children (Gen 35:4; Exod 32:2), as discovered at Gezer, Megiddo, and Taanach. Nose rings were also quite popular among feminine paraphernalia (Gen 24:22, 47; Isa 3:21). Rings are mentioned over forty times for religious uses in Exodus 25-39; Moses gave instructions for their use on the ark, for curtains of the Tabernacle, for breastplate and ephod of the high priest, and for altars of incense and burnt offerings. Rings were also used as a medium of exchange.

Bibliography SHERK (1958), IV 4f.; VII, 196; ISBE (1960), 887, 2044, 2594, 2708f.; IDB (1962), 100.