Meaning of SEAL

A ring or cylindrical object bearing the name of its owner, or a design, and sometimes both, engraved in the metal or precious stone (Ex. 28:11; Est. 8:8).

Babylonian cylinder-shaped seals date back to great antiquity, and those from the third quarter of the 4th century B.C. indicate a remarkable artistic development. Rectangular and oval seals completely displaced cylindrical seals in Palestine from the Iron Age onwards.

The signet ring was worn on the right hand, or suspended from the neck by a cord (Gen. 38:18; Jer. 22:24). Letters and other documents were formalized by a seal (1 Kings 21:8; Neh. 9:38; Est. 8:8; Jer. 32:10, 44; John 6:27). The footprint was usually marked in clay (Jb. 38:14).

In Palestine, a considerable number of seals and documents have been discovered bearing the names of their owners, and dating from a period between the 8th and 5th centuries BC. The chests, jars, tombs and places where one should not enter, received the seal of the corresponding authority (Jb. 14:17; 41:6; Dan, 6:17; Mt. 27:66; Rev. 5:1) .
Nehemiah and his people sealed a covenant (Neh. 10:1).

The believer, by giving credence to what God says about man and the salvation He has provided, virtually stamps (assents to the fact) that God is true (John 3:33). «The foundation of God is firm, having this seal: The Lord knows those who are his (God's part); and: Let everyone who calls on the name of Christ (the part of man) depart from iniquity” (2 Tim. 2:19). This is an illustration of the double seal rotating on a pivot, both sides of which could be used.

The scroll in Rev. 5 had seven seals, arranged so that breaking one seal could unroll part of the scroll; Thus, the seals are successively opened until everything is revealed.

The act of sealing constituted a legal process through which an act of delivery or prohibition or reservation was confirmed (cf. Jer. 32:7-11). They were also frequently used as testimony and proof of genuineness. This may be helpful in understanding the concept of sealing as it applies to Christ and Christians.

(a) The Lord Jesus spoke of Himself as having been sealed by God the Father (John 6:27), undoubtedly referring to the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Him at His baptism. Thus, it was witnessed that He was the Son of God.

(b) Believers are sealed by the Spirit for the day of redemption, and the Spirit is also the earnest of the inheritance (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 4:30). The gift of the Spirit is the seal. This could not be so until the work of redemption was carried out, thus achieving justice for men.

But the seal is now the distinguishing mark of those who are of God. The concept of sealing is different from that of being born of the Spirit, as well as being led by the Spirit after receiving it. Only believers receive the seal, by virtue of their faith in the Savior, who died for them and who rose again for their justification. The sealing, based on the forgiveness of sins, gives awareness of the benefit achieved by faith.

There are several incidents in the book of Acts that shed light on this. On the day of Pentecost, after Peter had proclaimed the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ, the hearers, pricked at heart, said, "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37).

Peter answered them: “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Thus, when Peter was preaching to Cornelius and to those who had gathered in his house, while he was saying: "As many as believe in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name... the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the speech” (Acts 10:43, 44).

In Eph. 1:13 states that the Gentiles, by believing in the gospel of their salvation, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. (See HOLY SPIRIT.)

(c) The one hundred and forty-four thousand of the twelve tribes of Israel mentioned in Rev. 7:3-8 will be sealed on their foreheads. This amount typifies the integrity of the remnant that will be preserved for blessing through the great tribulation, and they are evident as bearers of the testimony and mark of the living God.