σφρᾱγ-ίς G4973
Seal or signet; a device or its impression used to authenticate, secure, or mark ownership, both literally and figuratively.
Sphragis denotes both the physical seal-device (a signet ring or stamp) and the mark it leaves. In the ancient world, seals authenticated documents, secured tombs, and indicated ownership. Paul calls Abraham’s circumcision a seal of the righteousness he had by faith (Rom 4:11) and the Corinthian believers the seal of his apostleship (1 Cor 9:2). The Apocalypse gives the word dramatic prominence: the scroll sealed with seven seals can be opened only by the Lamb (Rev 5:1-9; 6:1-12). God’s firm foundation bears a seal of divine ownership (2 Tim 2:19). Spanish sello, French sceau, and German Siegel consistently render the same concept.
Senses
1. seal, signet mark of authentication or closure — A seal, signet, or the impression made by one, used to authenticate, secure, or certify. Literally it refers to wax or clay impressions that close and validate documents or tombs. Paul employs it metaphorically: circumcision is a seal of faith-righteousness (Rom 4:11), and converts are the seal of apostolic ministry (1 Cor 9:2). In Revelation, seven seals secure the eschatological scroll that only the Lamb can open (Rev 5:1-9; 6:1-12). The metaphor of divine ownership appears in 2 Tim 2:19. All target languages use a single authentication-mark term, confirming one cohesive sense. 16×
AR["أختامَهُ", "الأختامِ", "الخَتمَ", "الخَتْمُ", "بِأختامٍ", "خَتماً", "خَتمُ", "خَتْمَ", "خَتْمُ"]·ben["মোহর", "সীল", "সীল,", "সীলগুলি", "সীলগুলি-দিয়ে", "সীলগুলির,", "সীলমোহর"]·DE["Siegel"]·EN["a-seal", "seal", "seals", "with-seals"]·FR["sceau"]·heb["בְּ-חוֹתָמוֹת", "הַ-חוֹתָם", "הַחוֹתָם", "חוֹתָם", "חוֹתָמוֹת", "חוֹתָמוֹתָיו"]·HI["छाप", "मुहर", "मुहर,", "मुहरें", "मुहरों,", "मुहरों-से"]·ID["meterai", "meterai,"]·IT["sigillo"]·jav["cap", "segel"]·KO["인-을", "인들-로", "인들-을", "인들-의", "인을", "인침", "인침이"]·PT["com-selos", "selo", "selos"]·RU["печатей", "печатей,", "печати", "печать", "печать,", "печатями"]·ES["con-sellos", "sello", "sellos"]·SW["kwa-mihuri", "mihuri", "mihuri,", "muhuri", "muhuri,"]·TR["mühru", "mührü", "mühurü", "mühürlerin", "mühürlerini", "mühürlerle", "mühürü", "mühürü-", "onun"]·urd["مُہر", "مہر", "مہروں-سے", "مہروں-میں-سے", "مہریں"]
Related Senses
H2719 1. sword, weapon of war (410×)H4196 1. altar (place of sacrifice) (403×)H7393 1. chariot, chariotry (117×)H7198 1. bow (weapon) (72×)H7979 1. table (71×)H7782 1. ram's horn trumpet (69×)H4294 2. staff, rod, scepter (63×)H4043 1. shield, defensive weapon (60×)H0646 1. ephod (priestly garment) (49×)H8504 1. blue (violet-blue yarn/fabric) (49×)H2595 1. spear, lance (48×)H2671 1. arrow, projectile weapon (46×)H4818 1. chariot, war-chariot (44×)H3658 1. lyre, harp (stringed instrument) (42×)H1537 1. Gilgal (place name) (41×)H0713 1. purple (fabric/dye) (38×)H0905 3. poles, staves (37×)H7392 1. Qal participle: rider, charioteer (37×)H4501 1. cultic lampstand (menorah) (36×)H0212 1. wheel (35×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
σφρᾱγ-ίς, Ionic dialectσφρηγίς, ῖδος, ἡ: Aeolic dialect accusative σφρᾶγιν Refs 4th c.AD+:—seal, signet, Refs 5th c.BC+; distinguished from δακτύλιος, Refs 5th c.BC+; τῶν σφραγῖδας ἐχόντων, i.e. fops, Refs 4th c.BC+; of the public seal of a state, [ὁ ἐπιστάτης] τηρεῖ τὴν δημοσίαν σ. Refs 4th c.BC+; τὸν στρατηγὸν καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς σ. keeper of the privy seal, Refs 2nd c.BC+ __2 gem or stone for a ring,…