H8420 H8420
mark, sign (visible symbol for identification or exemption)
This noun denotes a mark or sign, either written/inscribed or made on the body. Job 31:35 uses it for Job's 'mark' or signature—his written attestation or sealed document proving his integrity. Ezekiel 9:4 and 9:6 use it for the mark placed on the foreheads of the righteous in Jerusalem, exempting them from the coming judgment: 'set a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations.' The protective mark distinguishes the faithful from the idolatrous, ensuring the destroying angels spare them. The imagery influenced later apocalyptic symbolism of sealing God's servants.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A visible mark for identification or protection. Job 31:35 desires 'my mark' (signature/seal) on a written indictment so Job could wear it proudly—his attestation of innocence. Ezekiel 9:4 commands placing 'a mark' (tav—perhaps literally the letter tau, shaped like X or +) on foreheads of the faithful. Ezekiel 9:6 instructs the destroyers not to touch anyone with 'the mark.' The multilingual glosses ('marca,' 'mark,' 'señal') confirm this involves a visible sign that identifies, protects, or authenticates—whether written signature or inscribed symbol. 3×
AR["الـ-عَلامَةُ", "عَلامَةً", "عَلامَتِي"]·ben["-চিহ্ন", "আমার-চিহ্ন", "চিহ্ন"]·DE["[התו]", "[תו]", "[תוי]"]·EN["mark", "my-mark", "the-mark"]·FR["marque", "mon-תוי-moi"]·heb["ה-תו", "תו", "תווי"]·HI["चिह्न", "चिह्न-मेरा"]·ID["tanda", "tanda tanganku", "tanda-itu"]·IT["[התו]", "[תו]", "mio-mark-mio"]·jav["tandha", "tandha-kula", "tandha-punika"]·KO["그-표가", "나의-표시를", "표를"]·PT["a-marca", "marca", "minha-marca"]·RU["знак", "подпись-моя"]·ES["la-marca", "marca", "mi-señal"]·SW["alama", "ishara-yangu"]·TR["imzam", "işaret", "üzerinde"]·urd["میرا دستخط", "نشان", "وہ-نشان"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† תָּו n.m. mark;—abs. ת׳, mark on forehead, sign exemption from judgment Ez 9:4, 6; sf. תָּוִּי Jb 31:35 = my (written) mark (in attestation).