2368. chotham
Lexical Summary
chotham: seal, signet

Original Word: חוֹתָם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: chowtham
Pronunciation: kho-thawm'
Phonetic Spelling: (kho-thawm')
KJV: seal, signet
NASB: seal, signet
Word Origin: [from H2856 (חָתַם - sealed)]

1. a signature-ring

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
seal, signet

Or chotham {kho-thawm'}; from chatham; a signature-ring -- seal, signet.

see HEBREW chatham

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from 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:
• representation—each tribe permanently inscribed before God;
• holiness—the words on the golden plate declare that the priest (and, by extension, the people he represents) is set apart for the Lord;
• immutability—the engraving cannot be erased, reflecting the enduring covenant.

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.
2. Authenticity and Truthfulness. Jezebel’s fraudulent use of Ahab’s seal warns against false authority, while the faithful use of seals in Exodus points to transparent integrity before God.
3. Security and Protection. A sealed document or container was tamper-proof; similarly, God’s promises are unrevisable.
4. Covenant and Choice. Jeremiah and Haggai employ the signet to address covenant violation and restoration, stressing God’s freedom to remove or confer royal legitimacy.
5. Anticipation of Spiritual Sealing. The Old Testament pattern prepares for the New Testament reality: believers are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13), guaranteeing inheritance and confirming divine ownership.

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.
• Integrity. Those entrusted with authority—pastors, elders, parents—must wield it faithfully, lest they repeat Jezebel’s abuse of the seal.
• Representation. Intercessory prayer mirrors the priestly ministry: carrying the names of God’s people before the throne with confidence that they are precious and remembered.
• Exclusive Devotion. Song of Songs calls for undivided love toward God and spouse, reminding the church that she is “betrothed to one husband” (2 Corinthians 11:2).

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 wattaḥtōm
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Englishman'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
HEB: אֶבֶן֒ פִּתּוּחֵ֣י חֹתָ֗ם תְּפַתַּח֙ אֶת־
NAS: engraves a signet, you shall engrave
KJV: [like] the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave
INT: stones engraves A signet shall engrave the two

Exodus 28:21
HEB: שְׁמֹתָ֑ם פִּתּוּחֵ֤י חוֹתָם֙ אִ֣ישׁ עַל־
NAS: they shall be [like] the engravings of a seal, each
KJV: [like] the engravings of a signet; every one
INT: to their names shall be the engravings of a seal each according

Exodus 28:36
HEB: עָלָיו֙ פִּתּוּחֵ֣י חֹתָ֔ם קֹ֖דֶשׁ לַֽיהוָֽה׃
NAS: on it, like the engravings of a seal, Holy
KJV: upon it, [like] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS
INT: on the engravings of a seal Holy to the LORD

Exodus 39:6
HEB: מְפֻתָּחֹת֙ פִּתּוּחֵ֣י חוֹתָ֔ם עַל־ שְׁמ֖וֹת
NAS: [like] the engravings of a signet, according
KJV: graven, as signets are graven,
INT: were engraved were engraved of a signet according to the names

Exodus 39:14
HEB: שְׁמֹתָ֑ם פִּתּוּחֵ֤י חֹתָם֙ אִ֣ישׁ עַל־
NAS: [engraved with] the engravings of a signet, each
KJV: [like] the engravings of a signet, every one
INT: to their names the engravings of a signet each were corresponding

Exodus 39:30
HEB: מִכְתַּב֙ פִּתּוּחֵ֣י חוֹתָ֔ם קֹ֖דֶשׁ לַיהוָֽה׃
NAS: it like the engravings of a signet, Holy
KJV: [like to] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS
INT: A writing the engravings of a signet Holy to the LORD

1 Kings 21:8
HEB: בְּשֵׁ֣ם אַחְאָ֔ב וַתַּחְתֹּ֖ם בְּחֹתָמ֑וֹ וַתִּשְׁלַ֣ח
NAS: and sealed them with his seal, and sent
KJV: and sealed [them] with his seal, and sent
INT: name Ahab's his seal and sealed and sent

Job 38:14
HEB: תִּ֭תְהַפֵּךְ כְּחֹ֣מֶר חוֹתָ֑ם וְ֝יִֽתְיַצְּב֗וּ כְּמ֣וֹ
NAS: like clay [under] the seal; And they stand forth
KJV: as clay [to] the seal; and they stand
INT: is changed clay the seal stand like

Job 41:15
HEB: מָֽגִנִּ֑ים סָ֝ג֗וּר חוֹתָ֥ם צָֽר׃
NAS: Shut up [as with] a tight seal.
KJV: [as with] a close seal.
INT: scales Shut seal a tight

Songs 8:6
HEB: שִׂימֵ֨נִי כַֽחוֹתָ֜ם עַל־ לִבֶּ֗ךָ
NAS: Put me like a seal over your heart,
KJV: Set me as a seal upon thine heart,
INT: Put A seal over your heart

Songs 8:6
HEB: עַל־ לִבֶּ֗ךָ כַּֽחוֹתָם֙ עַל־ זְרוֹעֶ֔ךָ
NAS: your heart, Like a seal on your arm.
KJV: upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm:
INT: over your heart A seal over your arm

Jeremiah 22:24
HEB: מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֔ה חוֹתָ֖ם עַל־ יַ֣ד
NAS: of Judah were a signet [ring] on My right
KJV: of Judah were the signet upon my right
INT: king of Judah signet and hand

Haggai 2:23
HEB: יְהוָ֔ה וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָ כַּֽחוֹתָ֑ם כִּֽי־ בְךָ֣
NAS: and I will make you like a signet [ring], for I have chosen
KJV: and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen
INT: the LORD will make A signet for have chosen

14 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2368
14 Occurrences


ḵa·ḥō·w·ṯām — 1 Occ.
ḥō·ṯām — 9 Occ.
ḥō·ṯā·mə·ḵā — 1 Occ.
ka·ḥō·w·ṯām — 2 Occ.
wat·taḥ·tōm — 1 Occ.

2367
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