Lexical Summary chotham: seal, signet Original Word: חוֹתָם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance seal, signet Or chotham {kho-thawm'}; from chatham; a signature-ring -- seal, signet. see HEBREW chatham NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chatham Definition a seal, signet ring NASB Translation seal (8), signet (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. חֹתָם, חוֺתָם noun masculineJob 41:7 seal, signet-ring (Aramaic  ; Ethiopic  — see LagBN 116) — absolute חֹתָם Exodus 28:11 2t.; חוֺתָם Jeremiah 22:24 8t.; suffix חֹתָֽמְךָ Genesis 38:18, חֹתָמוֺ 1 Kings 21:8; — on supposed construct חוֺתַם see foregoing; — seal, signet-ring, hung by a cord (מָּתִיל) about the neck Genesis 38:18 (J; = חֹתֶמֶת Genesis 38:25), or (later ?) worn on (finger of) right hand Jeremiah 22:24, (BenzArchäol. 106); the two customs apparently combined Songs 8:6 (עַללִֿבֶֹּךָ, עַלזְֿרוֺעֶךָ); used to attest a royal missive 1 Kings 21:8 (instrumental of verb חתם); a precious article Haggai 2:23 (simile of Zerubbabel); ׳מִּתּוּחֵי ח engravings of a seal, as model for cutting names and inscription on precious stones and gold plate Exodus 28:11,21,26; Exodus 39:6,14,30 (all P; see Benz258ff.); ׳חֹמֶר ח Job 38:14 = clay of (under) a signet; צָ֑ר ׳ח Job 41:7 a close signet, i.e. one that is closely pressed down, simile of closely joined (סָגוּר) scales of crocodile. Topical Lexicon Symbol of Ownership and Authority The ancient Near East knew no signatures in our modern sense; identity and intent were impressed with a seal. The object itself—whether ring, cylinder, or stamp—bore a unique design. When pressed into soft clay or wax, it left an indelible mark that authenticated documents, secured containers, or signified personal property. Genesis 38:18 presents the seal as the most valuable proof of Judah’s identity: “Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand.” Possession of the seal equaled possession of the owner’s authority, explaining why Jezebel could manipulate royal power by “sealed” letters in 1 Kings 21:8. Cultural and Historical Background Archaeology has uncovered thousands of Israelite and Judean bullae (seal impressions), confirming the biblical picture. Designs often featured personal names, patronymics, or symbolic imagery such as lions, palm trees, or stars. Because clay tablets or papyrus were folded and tied, the clay lump bearing the seal had to be broken to open the document; an unbroken impression testified that nothing had been altered (compare Daniel 6:17, which, while using another Hebrew word, illustrates the same practice). Priestly and Cultic Use Exodus links the seal motif with Israel’s worship. The names of the twelve tribes were to be “engraved with the names of the sons of Israel … like a seal” on onyx stones set on the high priest’s shoulders (Exodus 28:11; 39:6). Likewise, the twelve gemstones over his heart were “engraved … like a seal” (28:21; 39:14). The golden plate on the turban received the same treatment: “engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD” (28:36; 39:30). In the tabernacle economy the seal marks: Cosmic and Poetic Imagery Job employs the seal to describe God’s mastery over creation. Dawn transforms the earth “like clay under a seal” (Job 38:14), producing sharply defined relief as a craftsman’s stamp gives clarity to clay. Leviathan’s armor is praised: “His rows of scales are his pride, tightly sealed together” (Job 41:15), an impenetrable barrier illustrating divine craftsmanship. Love and Covenant in Song of Songs “Set me as a seal upon your heart, like a seal upon your arm” (Song of Songs 8:6). The repetition underscores exclusivity and permanence. Just as a monarch’s seal cannot be duplicated or broken without dire consequence, so marital love is presented as singular, inviolable, and enduring—“for love is as strong as death.” The language moves the reader from a symbol of legal authority to a symbol of relational commitment. Royal and Administrative Use Kings wore signet rings to authorize edicts, yet the prophets stress that divine sovereignty exceeds royal authority. “Even if you, Coniah … were a signet ring on My right hand, I would pull you off,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 22:24). The signet’s symbolic power could not shield a faithless king from judgment. Conversely, Haggai 2:23 announces hope to the post-exilic community: “I will take you, Zerubbabel … and make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you.” The Davidic line, seemingly broken, is affirmed as God’s chosen instrument, foreshadowing the Messiah. Theological Significance 1. Identity and Ownership. To be sealed is to belong. The high priest’s engraved stones teach that God knows His people by name and bears them continually on His heart. Messianic and Redemptive Overtones Zerubbabel’s elevation “like My signet ring” (Haggai 2:23) contains a promise that transcends his own lifetime. Although Zerubbabel never reigned as king, the Gospel writers trace Messiah’s lineage through him (Matthew 1:12–13; Luke 3:27). The chosen “signet” thus ultimately points to Jesus Christ, the perfect embodiment of divine authority and covenant fidelity. Ministry Application • Assurance. Just as the engraved names could never be removed from the priestly stones, the believer’s name, once written in the Lamb’s book of life, is secure. The recurring image of the seal—personal, priestly, royal, prophetic—threads through Scripture to emphasize that what God marks as His remains His, authenticated, protected, and destined for consummation in Christ. Forms and Transliterations וַתַּחְתֹּ֖ם ותחתם חֹתָ֔ם חֹתָ֗ם חֹתָֽמְךָ֙ חֹתָם֙ חוֹתָ֑ם חוֹתָ֔ם חוֹתָ֖ם חוֹתָ֥ם חוֹתָם֙ חותם חתם חתמך כַּֽחוֹתָ֑ם כַּֽחוֹתָם֙ כַֽחוֹתָ֜ם כחותם chachoTam choTam chotameCha ḥō·ṯā·mə·ḵā ḥō·ṯām ḥō·w·ṯām ḥōṯām ḥōṯāməḵā ḥōwṯām ka·ḥō·w·ṯām ḵa·ḥō·w·ṯām kachoTam kaḥōwṯām ḵaḥōwṯām vattachTom wat·taḥ·tōm wattaḥtōmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 38:18 HEB: לָּךְ֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר חֹתָֽמְךָ֙ וּפְתִילֶ֔ךָ וּמַטְּךָ֖ NAS: you? And she said, Your seal and your cord, KJV: thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, INT: give said your seal and your cord and your staff Exodus 28:11 Exodus 28:21 Exodus 28:36 Exodus 39:6 Exodus 39:14 Exodus 39:30 1 Kings 21:8 Job 38:14 Job 41:15 Songs 8:6 Songs 8:6 Jeremiah 22:24 Haggai 2:23 14 Occurrences |
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