King James Bible Dictionary

Commonly a ring engraved with some device (Genesis 38:18, 25). Jezebel "wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal" (1 Kings 21:8). Seals are frequently mentioned in Jewish history (Deuteronomy 32:34; Nehemiah 9:38; 10:1; Esther 3:12; Song of Solomon 8:6; Isaiah 8:16; Jeremiah 22:24; 32:44, etc.). Sealing a document was equivalent to the signature of the owner of the seal. "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 in length by 1 inch wide, and bears the image, name, and titles of the Egyptian king Sabaco" (Rawlinson's Hist. Illus. of the O.T., p. 46). The actual signet-rings of two Egyptian kings (Cheops and Horus) have been discovered. (See SIGNET.)

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 (ver. 63, 64). The mode of doing this was probably by stretching a cord across the stone and sealing it 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). Believers are sealed with the Spirit, as God's mark put upon them (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). Converts are by Paul styled the seal of his apostleship, i.e., they are its attestation (1 Corinthians 9:2). Seals and sealing are frequently mentioned in the book of Revelation (5:1; 6:1; 7:3; 10:4; 22:10).

1. A stamp used for signifying documents:

Given as a pledge
Genesis 38:18

Engraved
Exodus 28:11; Exodus 28:21; Exodus 28:36; Exodus 39:6; Exodus 39:14; Exodus 39:30; 2 Timothy 2:19

Decrees signified by
1 Kings 21:8; Esther 8:8

Documents sealed with:

Ahab's letter
1 Kings 21:8

Covenants
Nehemiah 9:38; Nehemiah 10:1; Isaiah 8:16

Decrees
Esther 8:8; Daniel 6:9

Deeds
Jeremiah 32:10

Treasures secured by
Deuteronomy 32:34

Lion's den made sure by
Daniel 6:17

Sepulcher of Jesus made sure by
Matthew 27:66

Circumcision a seal of righteousness
Romans 4:11

Figurative:

Of secrecy
Daniel 12:9; Revelation 5:1

Of certainty of divine approval
John 6:27; Romans 15:28; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; Revelation 7:3-4

2. An amphibious animal. Skins of, were used as a covering of the tabernacle
Exodus 25:5; Exodus 26:14; Exodus 35:7; Exodus 35:23; Exodus 36:19; Exodus 39:34; Numbers 4:25

The importance attached to seals in the East is so great that without one no document is regarded as authentic. Among the methods of sealing used in Egypt at a very early period were engraved stones, graved stones, pierced through their length and hung by a string or chain from the arm or neck, or set in rings for the finger. The most ancient form used for this purpose was the scarab'us, formed of precious or common stone, or even of blue pottery or porcelain, on the flat side of which the inscription or device was engraved. In many cases the seal consisted of a lump of clay, impressed with the seal and attached to the document, whether of papyrus or other material, by strings. In other cases wax was used. In sealing a sepulchre or box, the fastening was covered with clay or wax, and the impression from a seal of one in authority was stamped upon it, so that it could not be broken open without discovery. The signet-ring was an ordinary part of a man's equipment. (Genesis 38:18) The ring or the seal as an emblem of authority in Egypt, Persia and elsewhere is mentioned in (Genesis 41:42; 1 Kings 21:8; Esther 3:10,12; 8:2; Daniel 6:17) and as an evidence of a covenant, in (Jeremiah 32:10,44; Nehemiah 9:38; 10:1; Haggai 2:23) Engraved signets were in use among the Hebrews in early times. (Exodus 28:11,36; 39:6)

SEAL, noun The common name for the species of the genus Phoca. These animals are ampibious, most of the inhabiting the sea coasts, particularly in the higher latitudes. They have six cutting teeth in the upper jaw, and four in the lower. Their hind feet are placed at the extremity of the body, in the same diretion with it, and serve the purpose of a caudal fin; the fore feet are also adapted for swimming, and furmished each with five claws; the external ears are either very small or wanting. There are numerous species; as the leonina, sometimes 18 feet in length, and the jubata, sometimes 25 feet in length, with a name like a lion, both called sea-lion, and found in the southern seas, and alo in the noun Pacific; the ursina, or sea bear, 8 or 9 feet in length, and covered with long, thick bristly hair, found in the noun Pacifac; and the common seal frome 4 to 6 feet in length, found generally throughout the Atlantic and the seas and bays communicating with it, covered with short, stiff, glossy hair, with a smooth head without external ears, and with the fore legs deeply immersed in the skin. Seals are much sought after for their skins and fur.

SEAL, noun [L. sigillum.]

1. A piece of metal or other hard substance, usually round or oval, on which is ingraved some image or device, and sometimes a legend or inscription. This is used by idividuals, corporate bodies and states, for making impressions on wax upon instuments of writing, as an evidence of their authenticity. The king of England has his seal and his privy seal. Seals are sometimes worn in rings.

The wax set to an instument, and impressed or stamped with a seal Thus we give a deed under had and seel. Wax is generally used in sealing instruments, but other substances may be used.

3. The wax or wafer that makes fast a letter or other paper.

4. Any act of confirmation.

5. That which confirms, ratifies or makes stable; assurance. 2 Timothy 2:19.

6. That which effectually shuts, confines or secures; that which makes fast. Revelation 20:3.

SEAL, verb transitive

1. To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer or with wax; as, to seal a letter.

2. To set or affix a seal as a mark of authenticity; as, to seal a deed. Hence,

3. To confirm; to ratify; to establish.

And with my hand I seal our true hearts' love. Shak.

When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. Romans 15:28.

4. To shut or keep close; sometimes with up. Seal your lips; seal up you lips.

Open your ears, and seal your bosom upon the secret conserns of a friend. Dwight.

5. To make fast.

So they went and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone and setting a watch.

Matthew 27:1.

6. To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality. By our laws, weights and measures are to be sealed by an officer appointed and sworn for that purpose; and leather is to be sealed by a like officer, as evidence that it has been inspected and found to be of good quality.

7. To keep secret.

Shut up the words, and seal the book. Daniel 11:1. Isaiah 8:16.

8. To mark as ones property, and secure from danger.

9. To close; to fulfill; to complete; with up.

10. To imprint on the mind; as, to seal instruction.

11. To inclose; to hide; to conceal.

12. To confine; to restrain.

13. In architecture, to fix a piece of wood or iron in a wall with cement.

SEAL, verb intransitive To fix a seal

I will seal unto this bond. [Unusual.] Shak.

SE'ALED, participle passive Furnished with a seal; fastened with a seal; confirmed; closed.

SE'ALER, noun

1. One who seals; an officer in chancery who seals writs and instruments.

2. In New England, an officer appointed by the town or other proper authority, to examine and try weithts and measures, and set a stamp on such as are according to the standards established by the state; also, an officer who inspects lether and stamps such as is good. These are called sealers of weights and measures, and sealers of lethers.

SE'ALING, participle present tense Fixing a seal; fastening with a seal; confirming; closing; keeping secret; fixing a piece of wood or iron in a wall with cement.

SE'ALING, noun [from seal, the animal] The operation of taking seals and curing their skins.

SE'ALING-VOYAGE, noun A voyage for the purpose of killing seals and obtaining their skins.

SE'ALING-WAX, noun [seal and wax.] A compound of gum lac and the red oxyd of mercury; used for fastening a folded letter and thus consealing the writing, and for receiving impressions of seals set to instruments. Sealing wax is hard or soft, and may be of any color.