Greek word · G4973

σφραγίς

sphragis

seal

σφραγίς: a signet ring or stamp, or the impression it made in wax or clay. It served as proof of identity, authentication, ownership and closure. ἑπτά: seven, in Jewish symbolism the number of fullness and completion, from the seven days of creation.

Appears 16 times in 16 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

σφραγίς, -ῖδος, ἡ

[in LXX: Exodus 28:11, al. (חוֹתָם) Exodus 35:22 (חָח), Sirach 17:22, al. ;]

1. a seal, signet: Revelation 7:2.

2. The impression of a seal or signet, a seal (on its various purposes, see: σφραγίζω): on a book or roll, Revelation 5:1-2, 5 5:9 6:1, 3 6:5, 7 6:9, 12 8:1; metaphorically, Romans 4:11, 1 Corinthians 9:2, 2 Timothy 2:19, Revelation 9:4.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Revelation 5:1

Range of meaning

σφραγίς: a signet ring or stamp, or the impression it made in wax or clay. It served as proof of identity, authentication, ownership and closure. ἑπτά: seven, in Jewish symbolism the number of fullness and completion, from the seven days of creation.

Against the English

English "seven seals" is accurate. The cultural weight, a formally closed legal or royal document, is what modern readers miss.

Used elsewhere in the period

Roman law required a will (testamentum) to be sealed by seven witnesses (Gaius, Institutes 2.119; compare 2.147). Royal decrees were sealed with the king's signet (Esth 8:8; Dan 6:17). Revelation uses seven as its structuring number throughout (1:4, 12, 16, 20; 8:2; 15:1).

From the study of Revelation 6:1

Range of meaning

A seal: the stamped impression of a signet in wax or clay, or the signet itself. It could secure a document or container against tampering, prove that a document was genuine, or mark something as someone's property (BDAG). The related verb σφραγίζω means “to seal, secure, mark as one's own” (compare 7:3).

Against the English

To a modern reader “seal” can suggest a decorative stamp or an envelope flap. In the ancient world a sealed document could be opened only by someone with the legal right to do so, and opening it often meant putting its terms into effect.

Used elsewhere in the period

Jeremiah 32:10–14 describes a sealed deed of purchase, a sealed copy and an open copy. Isaiah 29:11 speaks of a vision like a sealed book no one can read. In Daniel 12:4, 9 the words are “sealed until the time of the end.” Roman wills were sealed by several witnesses, often seven. Papyri and clay bullae (seal impressions) show sealing was routine for legal documents.

From the study of Revelation 6:12

Range of meaning

A seal. It can mean the signet ring itself or the impression it left in wax or clay on a document, a jar or a tomb. A seal guaranteed that something was authentic and kept it closed until an authorized person opened it.

Against the English

English readers may picture an envelope seal. Ancient scrolls were rolled and tied, with seals pressed over the cord. Legal documents such as wills and contracts were sealed and could be opened only by the proper authority.

Used elsewhere in the period

The scroll of Revelation 5:1 is 'sealed with seven seals', echoing the sealed scroll in Isaiah 29:11 and the sealed words in Daniel 12:4, 9. Roman wills were sealed by seven witnesses, and some scholars see this practice in the background, though that is debated. Seals on a tomb (Matthew 27:66) and on contracts (Jeremiah 32:10–14) show what the word normally meant.

Similar words

Where it appears

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 4:11 σφραγῖδα a seal

    And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

    Here: Placed beside 'sign' to explain it: a stamp that confirms or authenticates something already in existence. Circumcision confirmed a right standing Abraham already had. It did not create it.

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:2 σφραγίς seal

    Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

2 Timothy · 1

  1. 2 Timothy 2:19 σφραγῖδα seal

    Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”

    Here: The stamped mark or inscription that identifies the owner and vouches that something is genuine. The two sayings that follow are what is 'stamped' on the foundation.

Revelation · 13

  1. Revelation 5:1 σφραγῖσιν with seals

    Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.

    Here: Lumps of wax or clay stamped with a signet. A seal both certified a document and closed it, so that only a person with the right to break it could do so.

  2. Revelation 5:2 σφραγῖδας seals

    And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”

    Here: Impressions in clay or wax made with a signet. They mark a document as closed, authentic and under someone's authority. Only an authorized person may break them.

  3. Revelation 5:5 σφραγῖδας seals

    Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

    Here: Wax or clay impressions that closed a document and certified it. Only someone with authority could lawfully break them.

  4. Revelation 5:9 σφραγῖδας seals

    And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

    Here: Lumps of wax or clay stamped with a signet. They closed a document so it could not be opened without authority, and they marked it as authentic.

  5. Revelation 6:1 σφραγίδων seals

    Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!”

    Here: Lumps of wax or clay pressed with a signet that closed a document. They kept it secure and showed it was genuine. Only someone with the right to do so could break them.

  6. Revelation 6:3 σφραγῖδα seal

    And when the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”

  7. Revelation 6:5 σφραγῖδα seal

    And when the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” Then I looked and saw a black horse, and its rider held in his hand a pair of scales.

    Here: A lump of wax or clay pressed with a signet that closes a scroll. Breaking it means authority to open the document (see study).

  8. Revelation 6:7 σφραγῖδα seal

    And when the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!”

  9. Revelation 6:9 σφραγῖδα, seal,

    And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld.

    Here: A wax or clay seal that closed a scroll or legal document. It could be broken only by someone with authority. Each broken seal sets off part of what is written in God's scroll.

  10. Revelation 6:12 σφραγῖδα seal

    And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red,

    Here: A lump of wax or clay pressed with a signet that closed and authenticated a scroll. Breaking it means having the authority to let what is written inside go into effect.

  11. Revelation 7:2 σφραγῖδα [the] seal

    And I saw another angel ascending from the east, with the seal of the living God. And he called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:

    Here: A signet, the stamping tool used to press an owner's mark. In 7:3 it is used to mark God's servants on the forehead as his property and under his protection.

  12. Revelation 8:1 σφραγῖδα seal

    When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

    Here: A wax or clay seal pressed shut on a rolled document. The scroll of chapter 5 is 'sealed with seven seals', and its contents cannot be carried out until every seal is broken. This is the last one.

  13. Revelation 9:4 σφραγῖδα seal

    They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

    Here: An owner's mark pressed onto something. Here it marks people as God's own and under his protection. It points back to the sealing of 'the servants of our God' in 7:3.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.