Reference: Seal, Signet
Hastings
The existence of seals is attested for the early dynasties of Egypt, and for an equally remote period in the history of Babylonia. The first mention of a seal in the OT is in connexion with the patriarch Judah, who fared forth with his staff in his hand and his seal hung round his neck by a cord (Ge 38:18 RV), precisely as was the custom of every Babylonian gentleman in the days of Herodotus (i. 195). The seals hitherto found in Palestine show little initiative on the part of the Hebrews in this branch of the fine arts, the great majority plainly showing the predominant influence of Egypt, or to a less extent of Babylonia.
As regards material, almost every variety of precious stone was used for this purpose, although ordinary limestone, and even baked clay, were used by those who could afford nothing better. An almost equal wealth of form is attested by the extant seals. Thus the scarab and the scaraboid forms were distinctive of Egypt, as the cylinder was of Babylonia. Other seals, again, were conical in shape, while the square form is not unknown.
Most of the extant seals bearing evidence of a Hebrew origin, however, are oval in outline. This was also the usual form for seals intended to be set in the bezel of a ring. In this case it was customary to wear the ring on one of the fingers of the right hand (Jer 22:24; cf. Ge 41:42). The distinctively Jewish type of seal is marked by two features: (a) the absence of figures, Divine or human, in the field, and (b) the presence of two parallel lines, set close together, which cross the field longitudinally, and divide the inscription into two parts. The legend, as a rule, contains the name of the owner, preceded by the preposition signifying 'belonging to'
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What do you want? he asked. The ring on that cord around your neck, she replied. I also want the special walking stick you have with you. So he gave them to her. They slept together and she became pregnant.
Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. He clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck.
So she sent a letter in Ahab's name, stamped with his stamp, to the elders and nobles who were in authority with Naboth.
Now those who put down their names were Nehemiah the Tirshatha (Governor), the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,
The earth takes shape like clay under a seal. Its features stand out like those of a garment.
Jehovah says: Judah's sin is written with an iron pen. It is engraved with a diamond point on the tablet of their hearts and on the horns (strength) (authority) of their altars.
As I live,' says Jehovah, 'even though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were a signet ring on my right hand, yet I would pull you off.
You are great in counsel and mighty in deed. Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men. You give to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.
A stone was placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
Seventy weeks (seventy sets of seven time periods) are decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish transgression and to make an end of sin, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.
But you, O Daniel, keep the words secret, and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will run back and forth and knowledge will increase.
So they made the tomb secure. They sealed the stone and placed a guard there.
Do not work for food that perishes but for food that offers everlasting life. The Son of man will give you this food. The Father, even God, has set his seal upon him.
If I am not an apostle to others, I most certainly am to you, for you are the seal (stamp) (proof) of my apostleship in the Lord.
You have heard the word of the truth in Christ. It is the good news about your salvation. You also believed and were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in which (Greek: en hos) (in which) (Greek: hos, he ho) (whereby) (which) you were sealed to the day of release by ransom.
But he (Christ) reconciled you in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and without accusation before Him (God).
When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say: Come!
Morish
Stones on which words, letters, or symbols are engraved. Anciently these were pierced, and by a cord or chain were hung from the arm or the neck, or they were set in rings and worn on the finger. The design was impressed on pieces of clay which were attached to official documents, which in the East are not considered authentic without being sealed. Ex 28:11; Es 8:8,10; Job 38:14; Da 6:17. The seal was also used to ensure security, or to preserve the sanctity of things not to be revealed. Isa 29:11; Da 12:4,9; Mt 27:66; Re 20:3; 22:10.
A covenant was sealed by Nehemiah and those with him. Ne 10:1. The believer, in crediting what God says of man, and of God's salvation, virtually attaches his seal (vouches for the fact) that God is true. Joh 3:33. "The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his God's side; and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity man's side." 2Ti 2:19. This is an illustration of a double-seal turning on a pivot, of which either side could be used.
The roll in Revelation 5 had seven seals, so arranged that by breaking one seal a certain portion could be unrolled; and each seal was broken in succession until the whole was revealed.
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Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the same way a jeweler engraves a signet ring. Mount them in gold settings.
Now those who put down their names were Nehemiah the Tirshatha (Governor), the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,
Send a letter about the Jews, writing whatever seems good to you, in the king's name, and stamp it with the king's ring: for a writing signed in the king's name and stamped with the king's ring may not be changed.
The letters were sent in the name of King Ahasuerus and stamped with his ring, and they were taken by men on horseback, going on the quick-running horses used for the king's business, the offspring of his best horses:
The earth takes shape like clay under a seal. Its features stand out like those of a garment.
His message is like a sealed book to you. You say to someone read this out loud. And they respond, We cannot read it, because it is sealed.
A stone was placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
But you, O Daniel, keep the words secret, and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will run back and forth and knowledge will increase.
He replied: Go your way, Daniel for the words are kept secret and sealed till the time of the end.
So they made the tomb secure. They sealed the stone and placed a guard there.
He who receives his testimony confirms by his seal that God is true.
The foundation of God stands firm having this seal: Jehovah knows those who belong to him, and: Everyone who names the name of Jehovah is to abstain from wickedness.
He hurled him into the bottomless pit, and shut it and sealed it over him. He could not deceive the nations anymore till the thousand years ended. After that he must be let loose for a little while.
And he says to me: Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near at hand.