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seals in the Bible
A seal was commonly created in clay or wax using an engraved ring (Genesis 38:18, 25). Placing a seal on a document was equivalent to the signature of the owner of the seal.
Seals are frequently mentioned in Israelite history (Deuteronomy 32:34; Neh. 9:38; 10:1; Esther 3:12; Song of Songs 8:6; Isaiah 8:16; Jeremiah 22:24; 32:44, etc.).
“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 [5.08 centimeters] in length by 1 inch [2.54 centimeters] wide, and bears the image, name, and titles of the Egyptian king Sabaco.” —George Rawlinson, Historical Illustrations of the Old Testament (1871), p. 46.
Queen Jezebel “wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal” (1 Kings 21:8).
The actual signet-rings of two Egyptian kings (Cheops and Horus) have been discovered. (See SIGNET.)
Christ’s sealed tomb
The use of seals is mentioned in the New Testament only in connection with the record of our Lord's burial (Matthew 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 (Matt. 27:63-64). This was probably done by stretching a cord across the stone and sealing it to the stone 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 (Romans 4:11).
Holy Spirit’s seal
Believers are sealed with the Spirit, as God’s mark put upon them (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).
Apostle’s attestation
The Apostle Paul considered his converts a seal of his apostleship.
If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. —1 Corinthians 9:2
Book of Revelation
Seals and sealing are frequently mentioned in the book of Revelation (5:1; 6:1; 7:3; 10:4; 22:10).
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