Bible Dictionary
RINGSTREAKED
Ringstreaked describes animals marked with circular bands or streaks. The biblical term refers to the appearance of Jacob’s flocks, though its exact meaning is uncertain.
Definition
Ringstreaked describes an animal marked with circular bands or streaks. In the account of Jacob’s flocks, the term refers to some kind of defective or unusual coloring, but the exact appearance intended by the Hebrew word is uncertain.
Biblical Usage
The designation occurs repeatedly in Genesis 30 and 31 in descriptions of the animals associated with Jacob’s flocks.
Historical Background
The translation “ringstreaked” comes from connecting the Hebrew word with a root meaning “to bind,” but that connection is considered doubtful.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ring'-strekt (the King James Version and the English Revised Version ringstraked): Ge 30:35,39,40; 31:8 (twice),10,12 for `aqodh. In the context of Ge 30:35, etc., `aqodh certainly denotes defective coloring of some sort, but the exact meaning of the word is uncertain. The translation "ringstreaked" ("marked with circular bands") comes from connecting the word with the Hebrew root `-q-d, "to bind" (Ge 22:9), but this connection is dubious.</p>