δακτύλιος
a finger-ring
Definition
A δακτύλιος is a finger-ring, specifically a signet ring used as a personal seal. In the ancient world, such a ring was not merely jewelry but a symbol of authority and identity, as it could be pressed into wax or clay to authenticate documents and transactions. In the New Testament, its sole occurrence is in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:22), where the father orders his servants to place a ring on his returned son's finger, signifying restored sonship and authority within the household.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 15:22. It appears in the context of the father's lavish restoration of his repentant son, following the commands to bring the best robe and sandals. The usage is symbolic and parabolic, directly tied to the narrative of reconciliation and reinstatement of status.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek noun δάκτυλος (daktylos, G1146), meaning 'finger.' The word δακτύλιος literally means 'belonging to the finger' or 'for the finger.' It is a common Greek term for a ring, with its meaning firmly anchored in its function as a finger ornament.
Semantic Range
In its single biblical use, the 'ring' is a powerful theological symbol of grace, covenant restoration, and delegated authority. By placing the ring on his son, the father (a figure for God) publicly reinstates him into the family with all the rights and privileges of sonship. This act underscores the doctrine of justification by grace, where believers are fully accepted and empowered not by their own merit but by the Father's generous love.
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman and Jewish world, a finger-ring, especially a signet ring, was a crucial item. It represented the owner's personal authority and was used to seal legal documents, letters, and possessions. Giving someone your ring was a profound act of trust and a transfer of authority, often within a family or to a trusted steward. This cultural understanding is essential for grasping the full weight of the father's action in Luke 15:22.
There are no direct synonyms for 'finger-ring' in the New Testament. The related root word is δάκτυλος (daktylos, G1146) — meaning 'finger,' the body part on which the ring is worn.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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