χάραγ-μα G5480
A mark, brand, or engraving; in Revelation, the eschatological mark of the Beast; in Acts, a product of human craftsmanship.
Charagma denotes any mark that is engraved, branded, or imprinted onto a surface. Seven of its eight NT occurrences appear in Revelation, where it refers to the sinister mark of the Beast imposed on the right hand or forehead as a sign of allegiance (Rev 13:16-17). The Spanish 'marca' and German 'Malzeichen' both emphasize its character as a branded sign. The single non-Revelation use (Acts 17:29) shifts to artistic craftsmanship -- Paul tells the Athenians that the divine nature should not be likened to an engraving of human art and imagination.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The branded or imprinted mark of the Beast in Revelation -- a visible sign of allegiance imposed on persons, functioning as both identification and economic control (Rev 13:16-17: no one can buy or sell without it). Spanish 'marca' and German 'Malzeichen' (branded sign) both convey the sense of an externally imposed stamp. This mark stands in direct contrast to the seal of God on the foreheads of the faithful, and those who receive it face divine judgment (Rev 14:9-11, 16:2). 7×
AR["السِّمَةَ","سِمَةً","سِمَةَ","سِمَةُ","سِمَةُ--"]·ben["চিহ্ন","চিহ্ন --"]·DE["Malzeichen"]·EN["a-mark","mark"]·FR["Malzeichen"]·heb["הַחוֹתָם","הַסִּימָן","חוֹתַם","סִימַן","סִימָן"]·HI["चिह्न"]·ID["tanda","tanda-"]·IT["marchio"]·jav["cap","tandha","tandhanipun","tetenger"]·KO["표를"]·PT["marca"]·RU["начертание","начертание--","начертания"]·ES["marca"]·SW["chapa"]·TR["damga","damgasını","damgayı"]·urd["نشان"]
2. sense 2 — An engraving or carved work produced by human artistry and skill. In Acts 17:29, Paul addresses the Athenians at the Areopagus, arguing that the divine nature (to theion) should not be thought of as something like gold, silver, or stone -- a charagma of human craft and thought. The Spanish 'grabado' (engraving) and French 'marque' capture this sense of an artisan's product, distinct from the eschatological branding in Revelation. 1×
AR["نَقشٍ"]·ben["খোদাই"]·DE["χαράγματι"]·EN["engraving"]·FR["marque"]·heb["חָרוּת"]·HI["नक्काशी"]·ID["ukiran"]·IT["marchio"]·jav["ukiran"]·KO["조각된-것에"]·RU["изделию"]·ES["grabado"]·SW["sanamu-iliyochongwa"]·TR["oyma"]·urd["نقش-کو"]
BDB / Lexicon Reference
χάραγ-μα [χᾰ], ατος, τό, (χαράσσω) any mark engraved, imprinted, or branded, χ. ἐχίδνης the serpent's mark, i. e. its bite, sting, NT+5th c.BC+; χ. χειρός, i.e. writing, Refs 6th c.AD+; χαράγματα παμβασιλῆος, of an imperial missive, Epic. in Refs: absolutely, inscription, Refs 4th c.AD+; stamped document, Refs 1st c.AD+; brand on a camel, Refs 2nd c.AD+; χ. τέχνης carved work, NT; τὸ χ. τοῦ…