The term "imprint" in a biblical context often refers to the concept of an impression or mark that signifies identity, authority, or ownership. This idea is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where physical and spiritual imprints serve as symbols of divine authority and human identity.

Biblical Usage and Symbolism

1. Image of God: The concept of imprint is foundational in understanding humanity's creation in the "image of God" (Genesis 1:27). This divine imprint signifies that humans are created with inherent dignity and purpose, reflecting God's character and attributes. The image of God is not a physical likeness but a spiritual and moral imprint that sets humanity apart from the rest of creation.

2. Seal of God: In the New Testament, the idea of an imprint is closely associated with the sealing of believers by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13-14 states, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory." This seal serves as a divine imprint, marking believers as God's own and guaranteeing their inheritance in Christ.

3. Christ as the Imprint of God: Hebrews 1:3 describes Jesus Christ as "the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word." The term "exact representation" (Greek: χαρακτήρ, charaktēr) conveys the idea of an imprint or engraving, indicating that Christ perfectly embodies and reveals the nature of God. This underscores the belief in the full divinity and humanity of Jesus, who is the visible imprint of the invisible God.

4. Mark of the Beast: In contrast to the divine imprint, Revelation 13:16-17 warns of a counterfeit mark, the "mark of the beast," which symbolizes allegiance to the Antichrist. This mark serves as a negative imprint, signifying rebellion against God and alignment with evil. The passage highlights the spiritual battle between divine and demonic imprints on human lives.

5. Circumcision as a Physical Imprint: In the Old Testament, circumcision is a physical imprint that signifies the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:10-11). This act serves as a tangible reminder of God's promises and the Israelites' identity as His chosen people. In the New Testament, the concept of circumcision is spiritualized, with the "circumcision of the heart" (Romans 2:29) representing an inward, spiritual imprint of faith and obedience.

Theological Implications

The concept of imprint in the Bible carries profound theological implications. It emphasizes the idea of identity and belonging, whether it be through the divine image imprinted on humanity, the sealing of the Holy Spirit, or the representation of Christ as the exact imprint of God's nature. These imprints serve as reminders of God's authority, ownership, and the believer's call to reflect His character in the world.1. (v. t.) To impress; to mark by pressure; to indent; to stamp.

2. (v. t.) To stamp or mark, as letters on paper, by means of type, plates, stamps, or the like; to print the mark (figures, letters, etc., upon something).

3. (v. t.) To fix indelibly or permanently, as in the mind or memory; to impress.

4. (v. t.) Whatever is impressed or imprinted; the impress or mark left by something; specifically, the name of the printer or publisher (usually) with the time and place of issue, in the title-page of a book, or on any printed sheet.

1795. entupoo -- to imprint, engrave
... to imprint, engrave. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: entupoo Phonetic Spelling:
(en-too-po'-o) Short Definition: I engrave Definition: I engrave, imprint. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1795.htm - 6k

1924. epigrapho -- to write upon
... Verb Transliteration: epigrapho Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-graf'-o) Short Definition:
I write upon, inscribe Definition: I write upon, inscribe, imprint a mark ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1924.htm - 6k

5179b. tupos -- the mark (of a blow), an impression, stamp (made ...
... tupto Definition the mark (of a blow), an impression, stamp (made by a die) NASB
Word Usage example (3), examples (2), form (2), images (1), imprint (1), model ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5179b.htm - 5k

3793. kethobeth -- an imprint
... 3792, 3793. kethobeth. 3794 . an imprint. Transliteration: kethobeth
Phonetic Spelling: (keth-o'-beth) Short Definition: marks. ...
/hebrew/3793.htm - 6k

7085. qaaqa -- an incision, imprint, tattoo
... 7084, 7085. qaaqa. 7086 . an incision, imprint, tattoo. Transliteration:
qaaqa Phonetic Spelling: (kah-ak-ah') Short Definition: tattoo. ...
/hebrew/7085.htm - 6k

8427. tavah -- to make or set a mark
... confession, sacrifice of praise, thanksgiving, offering. A primitive root; to mark
out, ie (primitive) scratch or (definite) imprint -- scrabble, set (a mark). ...
/hebrew/8427.htm - 6k

Whether a Character is Imprinted by Each Sacrament of the New Law?
... reiterated, for instance, penance and matrimony. Therefore not all the
sacraments imprint a character. I answer that, As stated ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a character is imprinted.htm

Sixth Tractate. Perception and Memory.
... that we attack it; there, then, the perception is formed; the mind looks outward;
this is ample proof that it has taken and takes no inner imprint, and does ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/sixth tractate perception and memory.htm

Whether a Sacrament Imprints a Character on the Soul?
... Objection 1: It seems that a sacrament does not imprint a character on the soul.
For the word "character" seems to signify some kind of distinctive sign. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a sacrament imprints a.htm

Whether this Sacrament Imprints a Character?
... Q[33]). Therefore it does not imprint a character. Further, a ... present Church.
Therefore it does not imprint a character. I answer ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether this sacrament imprints a.htm

The Genesis Water-Mark.
... Each was His very life. You know the way publishers have of putting an
imprint in a book by means of what is called a water-mark. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the genesis water-mark.htm

Whether God Can Move a Body Immediately?
... Now it belongs to the same cause, to imprint a form, to dispose to that form, and
to give the movement which results from that form; for fire not only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether god can move a.htm

Whether a Solemn Penance Can be Repeated?
... For those sacraments which do not imprint a character, can be solemnized a second
time, such as the Eucharist, Extreme Unction and the like. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a solemn penance can.htm

On the Sacraments in General
... once? A. We cannot receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders more than
once, because they imprint a character in the soul. "A ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 13 on the sacraments.htm

Grundtvig's Later Years
... of seeing his work bear fruit in one of the most vital folk and educational movements
of Scandinavia, a movement which has made a tremendous imprint upon all ...
/.../hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter sixteen grundtvigs later years.htm

Contemporary Pagan and Heretical Hymns
... The period of pagan influence in the sense of an imprint from Greek and Roman
literature is also the period of impact with pagan heretical ideas derived either ...
/.../v contemporary pagan and heretical.htm

Imprint (2 Occurrences)
... a book, or on any printed sheet. Multi-Version Concordance Imprint (2
Occurrences). John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said ...
/i/imprint.htm - 7k

Impress (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To press, stamp, or print something in or upon; to mark by pressure, or
as by pressure; to imprint (that which bears the impression). ...
/i/impress.htm - 9k

Inscribe (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To write or engrave; to imprint; to mark down
as something to be read. 2. (vt) To mark with letters, characters, or words. ...
/i/inscribe.htm - 7k

Write (865 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Hence, to compose or produce, as an author. 4. (vt) To impress durably;
to imprint; to engrave; as, truth written on the heart. ...
/w/write.htm - 7k

Imprison (3 Occurrences)

/i/imprison.htm - 7k

Impressiveness (1 Occurrence)

/i/impressiveness.htm - 6k

Characterize (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To describe by peculiar marks or traits; to
make with distinctive features. 2. (vt) To engrave or imprint. ...
/c/characterize.htm - 7k

Stamp (25 Occurrences)
... arms or initials. 5. (vi) Fig.: To impress; to imprint; to fix deeply;
as, to stamp virtuous principles on the heart. 6. (vi) To ...
/s/stamp.htm - 16k

Mark (182 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A trace, dot, line, imprint, or discoloration, although not regarded as
a token or sign; a scratch, scar, stain, etc.; as, this pencil makes a fine mark ...
/m/mark.htm - 93k

Set (6715 Occurrences)
... Thus, (a) To attack: Judges 9:33, the King James Version "and set upon the city."
(b) To imprint: Genesis 4:15, the King James Version "The Lord set a mark ...
/s/set.htm - 20k

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