Topical Bible: Rings: Made of Gold and Set With Precious Stones

◄ Rings: Made of Gold and Set With Precious Stones ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, rings held significant cultural and spiritual symbolism, often representing authority, wealth, and covenantal relationships. The use of gold and precious stones in rings further emphasized their importance and value.

Symbol of Authority and Status

Rings, particularly those made of gold and adorned with precious stones, were often symbols of authority and high status. In Genesis 41:42, Pharaoh gives Joseph a signet ring as a token of his new authority: "Then Pharaoh removed his 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" . This act signified Joseph's elevation to a position of power and trust within the Egyptian kingdom.

Covenantal and Familial Significance

Rings also played a role in familial and covenantal contexts. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father orders a ring to be placed on his returning son's finger, symbolizing restoration and acceptance back into the family: "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’" (Luke 15:22). This gesture underscores the ring's role in signifying belonging and covenant.

Adornment and Beauty

The use of gold and precious stones in rings is noted for its beauty and craftsmanship. In the Song of Solomon, the beloved is described with imagery that includes precious adornments: "His hands are rods of gold set with beryl. His abdomen is polished ivory inlaid with sapphires" (Song of Solomon 5:14). This poetic language highlights the aesthetic and luxurious qualities associated with such jewelry.

Spiritual and Symbolic Meanings

Rings in the Bible can also carry spiritual symbolism. In the book of Esther, King Xerxes gives his signet ring to Haman, and later to Mordecai, as a sign of delegated authority and trust (Esther 3:10, 8:2). The transfer of the ring signifies the transfer of power and the ability to enact decrees in the king's name.

Wealth and Prosperity

Gold and precious stones have long been associated with wealth and prosperity. In Ezekiel 28:13, the abundance of precious stones is used to describe the wealth and beauty of the King of Tyre: "You were in Eden, the garden of God; every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond; beryl, onyx, and jasper; sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day you were created" . This passage reflects the opulence and splendor that such materials represented.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, rings made of gold and set with precious stones are depicted as symbols of authority, covenant, beauty, and wealth. They serve as tangible expressions of intangible truths, reflecting the values and beliefs of the biblical world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 31:50,51
We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man has gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Songs 5:14
His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments.
... Fetters, seals, chains, rings, powders ... upbraiding the Hebrews by the prophet, says,
"They made to Baal ... it is better to buy her than treasures of gold and silver ...
/.../the instructor paedagogus/chapter xiiiagainst excessive fondness for.htm

Introduction.
... He is a creature, He is not the Creator; if He was made, He did ... Topaz (gold -brown)
11 ... fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/introduction 4.htm

Concerning the Tabernacle which Moses Built in the Wilderness for ...
... to the rings; for they were not entire rings; but before ... each heap, one above another:
they were made of two ... was set a candlestick of cast gold, hollow within ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning the tabernacle.htm

High Priest
... priest, the breast-plate (rationale); a gorget, ten inches square, made of the ... large
for the admission of this pectoral, were four rings of gold, to which ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

Following the Cloud.
... It was so made that it could be taken down and ... Ark of Testimony," as it was called,
had rings at the ... there was a wonderful breast-plate of gold set with twelve ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... Sometimes the two ankle-rings were fastened together, which would ... If to all this
we add gold and diamond ... language of our Lord, the Pharisees made "broad their ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

The City of Gold
... And yet Rome should have made a vivid appeal to this cultured ... have celebrated it,
Rome is the city of gold"aurata Roma. ... Rows of rings were worn on each finger ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i the city of gold.htm

Imperial Tombs.
... and dry brushwood were collected and set afire, and the ... of exquisite taste, and a
lamp, made of gold ... one hundred and fifty objects,"gold rings with engraved ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iv imperial tombs.htm

An Old Subscription List
... The list begins with 'bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels
of gold.' And then it ... black goat's hair which was to be made into the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/an old subscription list.htm

Treatise ii. On the Dress of virgins.
... clusters of pearls, and their armlets and rings, and earrings ... arranged necklaces
with stones set in gold, and with ... God willed that wounds should be made in the ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise ii on the dress.htm