חֹתֶ֫מֶת H2858
signet ring, seal; an object used to impress one's mark for authentication
This feminine noun means 'signet ring' or 'seal,' appearing in Genesis 38:25 where Tamar produces 'the signet' as proof of Judah's paternity. The signet was a personal identifier, often worn on a cord around the neck or on a finger, used to seal documents and claim ownership. Producing someone's signet was incontrovertible proof of a transaction. The term is a feminine form of the more common masculine 'signet,' possibly denoting the entire sealing apparatus.
Senses
1. sense 1 — In Genesis 38:25, Tamar sends the pledges to Judah: 'the signet, the cord, and the staff.' The signet ring was Judah's personal seal, unmistakable proof of his identity. Its production forces Judah to acknowledge his guilt publicly. Spanish 'el-sello,' French 'le-sceau,' German 'das-Siegel,' and English 'the-signet' all identify this authenticating object, emphasizing its role as irrefutable evidence. 1×
AR["الْ-خَاتَمُ"]·ben["-সিলমোহর"]·DE["das-Siegel"]·EN["the-signet"]·FR["le-sceau"]·heb["ה-חתמת"]·HI["मुहर"]·ID["materai"]·IT["il-sigillo"]·jav["ségel-punika"]·KO["도장과"]·PT["o-sinete"]·RU["печать"]·ES["el-sello"]·SW["muhuri"]·TR["-mühür"]·urd["مہر-یہ"]
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
חֹתֶ֫מֶת n.f. signet-ring—only הַח׳ Gn 38:25 (J; for i. חֹתָם v 18) the signet-ring (according to BöNÄ i, 23 fem. coll. the sealing-apparatus).