Seal

Commonly a ring engraved with some device (Gen. 38:18, 25). Jezebel “wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal” (1 Kings 21:8). Seals are frequently mentioned in Jewish history (Deut. 32:34; Neh. 9:38; 10:1; Esther 3:12; Cant. 8:6; Isa. 8:16; Jer. 22:24; 32:44, etc.). Sealing a document was equivalent to the signature of the owner of the seal. “The use of a signet-ring by the monarch has recently received a remarkable illustration by the discovery of an impression of such a signet on fine clay at Koyunjik, the site of the ancient Nineveh. This seal appears to have been impressed from the bezel of a metallic finger-ring. It is an oval, 2 inches in length by 1 inch wide, and bears the image, name, and titles of the Egyptian king Sabaco” (Rawlinson’s Hist. Illus. of the O.T., p. 46). The actual signet-rings of two Egyptian kings (Cheops and Horus) have been discovered. (See SIGNET.) The use of seals is mentioned in the New Testament only in connection with the record of our Lord’s burial (Matt. 27:66). The tomb was sealed by the Pharisees and chief priests for the purpose of making sure that the disciples would not come and steal the body away (ver. 63, 64). The mode of doing this was probably by stretching a cord across the stone and sealing it at both ends with sealing-clay. When God is said to have sealed the Redeemer, the meaning is, that he has attested his divine mission (John 6:27). Circumcision is a seal, an attestation of the covenant (Rom. 4:11). Believers are sealed with the Spirit, as God’s mark put upon them (Eph. 1:13; 4:30). Converts are by Paul styled the seal of his apostleship, i.e., they are its attestation (1 Cor. 9:2). Seals and sealing are frequently mentioned in the book of Revelation (5:1; 6:1; 7:3; 10:4; 22:10).

The importance attached to seals in the East is so great that without one no document is regarded as authentic. Among the methods of sealing used in Egypt at a very early period were engraved stones, graved stones, pierced through their length and hung by a string or chain from the arm or neck, or set in rings for the finger. The most ancient form used for this purpose was the scarabaeus, formed of precious or common stone, or even of blue pottery or porcelain, on the flat side of which the inscription or device was engraved. In many cases the seal consisted of a lump of clay, impressed with the seal and attached to the document, whether of papyrus or other material, by strings. In other cases wax was used. In sealing a sepulchre or box, the fastening was covered with clay or wax, and the impression from a seal of one in authority was stamped upon it, so that it could not be broken open without discovery. The signet-ring was an ordinary part of a man’s equipment. (Genesis 38:18) The ring or the seal as an emblem of authority in Egypt, Persia and elsewhere is mentioned in (Genesis 41:42; 1 Kings 21:8; Esther 3:10,12; 8:2; Daniel 6:17) and as an evidence of a covenant, in (Jeremiah 32:10,44; Nehemiah 9:38; 10:1; Haggai 2:23) Engraved signets were in use among the Hebrews in early times. (Exodus 28:11,36; 39:6)

SEAL. 1 Kgs 21:8. This was usually employed to authenticate public or private papers. Jer 32:10. If a door or box was to be sealed, it was first fastened with some ligament, upon which clay or wax was spread and then impressed with a seal or signet. Frequently a ring with some inscription on it was used as a seal, by the delivery or transfer of which the highest offices of the kingdom were bestowed. Gen 41:42; Esth 3:10. In sealing the sepulchre. Matt 27:66, it is probable that the fastening of the stone which secured the entrance was covered with clay or wax, and so impressed with a public or private seal that any violation of it could be discovered at once. See Rings, Letters. Phoenician Seal. Modern travellers describe the seal used in the East, at the present day, as made of cornelian, or agate, with the name or title of the writer, or some verse of the Koran or other motto, engraved upon it. 2 Tim 2:19. It is fastened into a ring and worn on the hand. Song 8:6. When used it is either applied to the wax, or is covered with some substance which, being stamped on the paper, leaves the desired impression. The word "seal" is used figuratively in the Bible to denote an act or token or process of confirmation. Rom 4:11; Eph 4:30.

SEAL. 1 Kgs 21:8. This was usually employed to authenticate public or private papers. Jer 32:10. If a door or box was to be sealed, it was first fastened with some ligament, upon which clay or wax was spread and then impressed with a seal or signet. Frequently a ring with some inscription on it was used as a seal, by the delivery or transfer of which the highest offices of the kingdom were bestowed. Gen 41:42; Esth 3:10. In sealing the sepulchre. Matt 27:66, it is probable that the fastening of the stone which secured the entrance was covered with clay or wax, and so impressed with a public or private seal that any violation of it could be discovered at once. See Rings, Letters. Phoenician Seal. Modern travellers describe the seal used in the East, at the present day, as made of cornelian, or agate, with the name or title of the writer, or some verse of the Koran or other motto, engraved upon it. 2 Tim 2:19. It is fastened into a ring and worn on the hand. Song 8:6. When used it is either applied to the wax, or is covered with some substance which, being stamped on the paper, leaves the desired impression. The word "seal" is used figuratively in the Bible to denote an act or token or process of confirmation. Rom 4:11; Eph 4:30.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families Phocidæ and Otariidæ.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. An engraved or inscribed stamp, used for marking an impression in wax or other soft substance, to be attached to a document, or otherwise used by way of authentication or security.

2. Wax, wafer, or other tenacious substance, set to an instrument, and impressed or stamped with a seal; as, to give a deed under hand and seal. Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond Thou but offend;st thy lungs to speak so loud. Shak.

3. That which seals or fastens; esp., the wax or wafer placed on a letter or other closed paper, etc., to fasten it.

4. That which confirms, ratifies, or makes stable; that which authenticates; that which secures; assurance. "under the seal of silence." Milton. Like a red seal is the setting sun On the good and the evil men have done. Lonfellow.

5. An arrangement for preventing the entrance or return of gas or air into a pipe, by which the open end of the pipe dips beneath the surface of water or other liquid, or a deep bend or sag in the pipe is filled with the liquid; a draintrap. Great seal. See under Great. -- Privy seal. See under Privy, a. -- Seal lock, a lock in which the keyhole is covered by a seal in such a way that the lock can not be opened without rupturing the seal. Seal manual. See under Manual, a. -- Seal ring, a ring having a seal engraved on it, or ornamented with a device resembling a seal; a signet ring. Shak.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To set or affix a seal to; hence, to authenticate; to confirm; to ratify; to establish; as, to seal a deed. And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. Shak.

2. To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality; as, to seal weights and measures; to seal silverware.

3. To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer, wax, or other substance causing adhesion; as, to seal a letter.

4. Hence, to shut close; to keep close; to make fast; to keep secure or secret. Seal up your lips, and give no words but "mum". Shak.

5. To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement, plaster, or the like. Gwilt.

6. To close by means of a seal; as, to seal a drainpipe with water. See 2d Seal, 5.

7. Among the Mormons, to confirm or set apart as a second or additional wife. [Utah, U.S.] If a man once married desires a second helpmate . . . she is sealed to him under the solemn sanction of the church. H. Stansbury.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To affix one's seal, or a seal. [Obs.] I will seal unto this bond. Shak.