Topical Bible: Rings were Worn: On the Arms

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, jewelry, including rings, held significant cultural and symbolic value. While finger rings are more commonly mentioned, there is evidence to suggest that rings were also worn on the arms, often in the form of bracelets or armlets. These adornments were not merely decorative but often signified status, wealth, or covenantal relationships.

Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, jewelry was a common part of attire for both men and women. Arm rings or bracelets were typically made of precious metals such as gold or silver and could be adorned with gemstones. They were often given as gifts or used as a form of currency. The wearing of arm rings was a sign of prosperity and was sometimes associated with divine favor or blessing.

Biblical References

While the Bible does not explicitly mention rings worn on the arms in the same way it does finger rings, there are references to bracelets, which can be understood as rings for the arms. In Genesis 24:22, Abraham's servant gives Rebekah a gold nose ring and two bracelets for her wrists as a sign of betrothal to Isaac: "And when the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels."

In Ezekiel 16:11-12, God describes adorning Jerusalem with jewelry as a metaphor for His covenant relationship with His people: "I adorned you with jewelry, and I put bracelets on your wrists and a chain around your neck. I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head." Here, the bracelets symbolize the beauty and honor bestowed upon Jerusalem by God.

Symbolism and Significance

The use of arm rings or bracelets in the Bible often symbolizes wealth, beauty, and divine favor. They can also represent a covenant or agreement, as seen in the account of Rebekah. The giving of bracelets as part of a betrothal gift signifies a binding promise and the establishment of a new family relationship.

In a broader sense, the adornment of God's people with jewelry, including arm rings, serves as a metaphor for the spiritual beauty and honor that God bestows upon those in covenant with Him. The imagery of jewelry in biblical texts often points to the inner beauty and value that God sees in His people, beyond mere outward appearances.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not frequently mention rings worn specifically on the arms, the references to bracelets and their symbolic meanings provide insight into the cultural and spiritual significance of such adornments in biblical times. These items were not only decorative but also carried deep symbolic weight, reflecting relationships, status, and divine favor.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 1:10
So I stood on him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Marriage of the Blessed virgin to Joseph
... strips hung over his breast, like the bands worn by our ... I saw many rings being held
against the monstrance ... each side of the ring, as if Joseph were placing the ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/vii marriage of the blessed.htm

Canaan
... white robes with but the collar of rings about her ... her fingers, lost in his warm
clasp, were cold and ... about her shoulders the light woolen mantle he had worn. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xii canaan.htm

A Little Jewish Maid.
... band of gold round his brow, and rings of gold ... Elisha stood before him in worn cloak
and sandals, his ... The camels were there, laden with presents in their saddle ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/a little jewish maid.htm

The Promised Land
... The collar of golden rings became popular in Israel, and, after ... For centuries it
was worn and no one knows when ... His sons were artists after him, but they were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlvii the promised land.htm

Joseph Attacked by the Archers
... wear chains of gold in heaven; could ye have rings of burning ... him viler than themselves,
as if they were angels in ... on me, let your bow-strings be worn out, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/joseph attacked by the archers.htm

La Brea
... by expanding and contracting their rings, having strength enough ... escaped, and snatching
up their arms, assembled in ... for the women, which were worn only through ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter viii la brea.htm

Appendix xvii. The Ordinances and Law of the Sabbath as Laid Down ...
... a necklace or nose-ring, nor with rings, nor have ... the ordinary dress of a person
might be worn also on the Sabbath, and children whose ears were being bored ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvii the ordinances and.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... is a consuming fire." From this platform there rings full often ... will soon die, it
is but as it were the garment of yourself and will be worn out; but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... is a consuming fire." From this platform there rings full often ... will soon die, it
is but as it were the garment of yourself and will be worn out; but ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/sinners bound with the cords.htm

God's People Delivered.
... welcomed to the city of God, there rings out upon ... than the most honored of the earth
have ever worn. ... crowned with diadems more glorious than were ever placed ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /40 gods people delivered.htm