The term "ringed" in the Bible often refers to markings or patterns, particularly in the context of livestock. This concept is most prominently featured in the narrative of Jacob and Laban in the Book of Genesis. The Hebrew word translated as "ringed" is "עָקֹד" (aqod), which can mean striped or streaked, and is used to describe the appearance of animals.

Biblical Context

In Genesis 30:25-43, the account of Jacob and Laban provides the primary biblical context for understanding "ringed." After serving Laban for many years, Jacob seeks to establish his own household and wealth. He proposes a deal with Laban to separate the flocks based on their appearance. Jacob suggests that he will take all the speckled, spotted, and ringed livestock as his wages. Laban agrees, seeing it as a favorable deal for himself.

Genesis 30:39 states, "And the flocks conceived in front of the branches, and they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted." Jacob employs a strategy involving peeled branches placed in the watering troughs, which somehow influences the breeding of the animals, resulting in a large number of ringed and speckled offspring. This increase in ringed livestock becomes a sign of God's blessing upon Jacob, as he grows exceedingly prosperous.

Symbolism and Interpretation

From a conservative Christian perspective, the account of the ringed livestock is often seen as an example of God's providence and faithfulness to His covenant promises. Jacob's success, despite Laban's attempts to deceive him, underscores the theme of divine justice and blessing. The ringed animals symbolize God's ability to provide and protect His chosen people, even in adverse circumstances.

The account also highlights the importance of faith and ingenuity. Jacob's actions, while seemingly superstitious or manipulative, are interpreted by some as a demonstration of his faith in God's promise to prosper him. The ringed livestock serve as a tangible manifestation of God's favor and the fulfillment of His word to Jacob.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In the ancient Near Eastern context, livestock was a primary measure of wealth and prosperity. The appearance of animals, such as being ringed or speckled, could affect their value and desirability. The narrative reflects the pastoral lifestyle of the patriarchs and the significance of animal husbandry in their economy.

The practice of selective breeding, as seen in Jacob's actions, indicates an early understanding of animal husbandry techniques. While the method described in Genesis may not align with modern scientific principles, it reflects the cultural practices and beliefs of the time.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the account of the ringed livestock emphasizes God's sovereignty and His ability to work through human actions to achieve His purposes. It illustrates the principle that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human schemes or deceit. The ringed animals become a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises and His power to bless those who trust in Him.

In summary, the concept of "ringed" in the Bible, particularly in the account of Jacob and Laban, serves as a powerful reminder of God's providence, the importance of faith, and the fulfillment of divine promises.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Ring.

2. (a.) Encircled or marked with, or as with, a ring or rings.

3. (a.) Wearing a wedding ring; hence, lawfully wedded.

5554. chrusodaktulios -- with a gold ring
... with a gold ring. From chrusos and daktulios; gold-ringed, ie Wearing a golden
finger-ring or similar jewelry -- with a gold ring. see GREEK chrusos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5554.htm - 6k

'Strong Crying and Tears'
... own infinitely touching words heighten the impression of the Evangelist's 'My soul
is exceeding sorrowful,' or, as the word literally means, 'ringed round with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/strong crying and tears.htm

Degeneration
... The black, the white and the dun, the striped, the spotted, and the ringed,
are all metamorphosed into one"a dark slaty blue. ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/degeneration.htm

Jesus, Son of God.
... Here the Jews gradually gathered, until at length He found Himself ringed round
by hostile questioners, who bluntly, almost threateningly asked Him, "How long ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xxii jesus son of god.htm

The Burial and Assumption of the Blessed virgin
... A broad shaft of light came down from heaven to the rock, and I saw descending in
it a triple-ringed glory of angels and spirits surrounding the appearance of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xix the burial and assumption.htm

One Metaphor and Two Meanings
... Our Lord here takes the common human point of view, and says, 'Life is the time
for activity, and it must be the more diligent because it is ringed by the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/one metaphor and two meanings.htm

The Gifts to the Flock
... But the substance is the declaration that, to any and every soul, no matter how
ringed about with danger, no matter how hampered and hindered in work, no ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the gifts to the flock.htm

Two Innumerable Series
... mercies. The Psalmist sees himself ringed about by numberless evils, as a man
tied to a stake might be by a circle of fire. 'Innumerable ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/two innumerable series.htm

'Into Thy Hands'
... He was down in the very depths of darkness, and ringed about by all sorts of enemies
at that moment, not sitting comfortably, as you and I are here, but in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/into thy hands.htm

More than Conquerors
... In all these things, whilst weltering amongst them, whilst ringed round about by
them, as by encircling enemies, "we are more than conquerors."' Thereby, he ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/more than conquerors.htm

The Living Dead
... in the full possession of all his faculties, in the intensest exercise of all his
capacities, standing somewhere in God's great universe, ringed with the sense ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the living dead.htm

Ringed (2 Occurrences)
... or rings. 3. (a.) Wearing a wedding ring; hence, lawfully wedded.
Multi-Version Concordance Ringed (2 Occurrences). Exodus 38:17 ...
/r/ringed.htm - 7k

Ring (33 Occurrences)
... 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 also EARRING ...
/r/ring.htm - 24k

Gazelle (12 Occurrences)
... dorcas). It is 2 ft. high at the shoulders. Both sexes have unbranched,
lyrate, ringed horns, which may be a foot long. The general ...
/g/gazelle.htm - 13k

Tops (37 Occurrences)
... 38:17 And the bases of the pillars were of brass; their hooks and the bands round
the tops of them were of silver; all the pillars were ringed with silver. ...
/t/tops.htm - 18k

Ringleader (1 Occurrence)

/r/ringleader.htm - 7k

Antelope (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One of a group of ruminant quadrupeds, intermediate
between the deer and the goat. The horns are usually annulated, or ringed. ...
/a/antelope.htm - 11k

Bases (80 Occurrences)
... 38:17 And the bases of the pillars were of brass; their hooks and the bands round
the tops of them were of silver; all the pillars were ringed with silver. ...
/b/bases.htm - 29k

Bands (130 Occurrences)
... 38:17 And the bases of the pillars were of brass; their hooks and the bands round
the tops of them were of silver; all the pillars were ringed with silver. ...
/b/bands.htm - 37k

Music (143 Occurrences)
... instrument referred to. If it was a percussion instrument, it might possibly
be a three-ringed or three-stringed sistrum. (f) The ...
/m/music.htm - 78k

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