Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

RING

Rings described in the Bible are most often of gold or bronze, while those found in the archaeological record are also of silver, iron, copper, and bone. On a woman, rings were worn on the fingers, nose (Gen. 24:22), and ears for decoration. For a man, they were connected with identity or authority and generally took the form of signet rings (Gen. 41:41-42); cf. the irrevocability of a decree sealed with a signet ring (Esth. 8:8). Rings were considered luxury items (Isa. 3:21) and represented status (Jas. 2:2). They were among the goods collected by Aaron to make the golden calves in Sinai (Exod. 32:2-4).

Rings were associated with the sacred. In addition to being part of the worship of other gods (Gen. 35:4) and the improper worship of Yahweh (Exod. 32:4), rings were part of the frame (26:24), table, and altar (25:26-27) of the tabernacle. Gold rings were used to attach the priest’s ephod to his breastplate (Exod. 28:26-28).

Rings were also functional devices. Silver rings held back the curtains in the palace of the Persian king (Esth. 1:6), and poles would have been inserted into rings attached to the sides of the ark to enable its transport (Exod. 25:12). Rings were used figuratively as a metaphor for beauty (Prov. 11:22), value (25:12), and powerful people (Jer. 22:24; Hag. 2:23).

Katharine A. Mackay

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

RING

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)