Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5518 seal

A personalised design used to produce an imprint in clay or wax which was then attached, usually to documents and letters as a mark of ownership, authenticity and authority. A seal might also refer to what is given as a pledge or guarantee or be used to keep something secure.

The nature and use of a seal

Seals engraved on precious stone

Exodus 28:11 pp Exodus 39:6 See also Exodus 28:21 pp Exodus 39:14; Exodus 28:36 pp Exodus 39:30

Seals used to imprint soft clay

Job 38:14

Ways of carrying a personal seal

Figuratively used

Songs 8:6

Worn round the neck

Genesis 38:18 The seal took the form of an engraved cylinder pierced from end to end and worn on a cord round the neck. See also Genesis 38:25

Worn as a signet ring

Jeremiah 22:24 See also Numbers 31:50; Isaiah 3:21

A seal as a mark of authority

Given to signify delegation of authority

Genesis 41:42; Esther 3:10; Esther 8:2; Revelation 7:2

God's seal validates his servants' ministry

John 6:27; 1 Corinthians 9:2

A seal authenticates documents

Esther 8:8-10 See also 1 Kings 21:8; Esther 3:12

A seal used to keep something secure

Daniel 6:17 See also Deuteronomy 32:34; Job 14:17; Psalm 40:9; Songs 4:12; Matthew 27:65-66; Revelation 20:3

Documents sealed to prevent alteration

Binding agreements

Nehemiah 9:38-10:1 See also Jeremiah 32:10-11,14,44

The words of prophecy

Daniel 12:4 See also Isaiah 8:16-17; Isaiah 29:10-11; Daniel 8:26; Daniel 9:24; Daniel 12:9; Revelation 10:4; Revelation 22:10

The scroll and its seals

Revelation 5:1-4,9 See also Revelation 5:5; Revelation 6:1-12; Revelation 8:1

A seal as a pledge or guarantee

Deuteronomy 29:12; Haggai 2:23; Romans 4:11

A seal as a mark of belonging

The mark of the beast

Revelation 13:16-17; Revelation 14:9-11

God's seal of ownership

2 Timothy 2:19; Revelation 7:3-8 See also Ezekiel 9:4; Galatians 6:17; Revelation 9:4

The Spirit as a pledge of final redemption

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 The Holy Spirit both seals believers as belonging to God and guarantees their future inheritance. See also Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30

See also

1346  covenants
2510  Christ, baptism of
3120  Holy Spirit, descriptions
3287  Holy Spirit, sealing of
4315  clay
5176  ring
5215  authority
5329  guarantee
5444  pledges
5638  writing
5942  security
7915  confirmation