Lexical Summary
chotham: seal, signet
Original Word:חוֹתָם
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:chowtham
Pronunciation:kho-thawm'
Phonetic Spelling:(kho-thawm')
KJV: seal, signet
NASB:seal, signet
Word Origin:[fromH2856 (חָתַם - sealed)]
1. a signature-ring
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
seal, signet
Or chotham {kho-thawm'}; fromchatham; a signature-ring -- seal, signet.
see HEBREWchatham
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
chathamDefinitiona seal, signet ring
NASB Translationseal (8), signet (7).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. ,
Job 41:7 (Aramaic
; Ethiopic
— see Lag
BN 116) — absolute
Exodus 28:11 2t.;
Jeremiah 22:24 8t.; suffix
Genesis 38:18,
1 Kings 21:8; — on supposed construct see foregoing; —
seal, signet-ring, hung by a cord () about the neck
Genesis 38:18 (J; =
Genesis 38:25), or (later ?) worn on (finger of) right hand
Jeremiah 22:24, (Benz
Archäol. 106); the two customs apparently combined
Songs 8:6 (, ); used to attest a royal missive
1 Kings 21:8 (instrumental of verb ); a precious article
Haggai 2:23 (simile of Zerubbabel);
engravings of a seal, as model for cutting names and inscription on precious stones and gold plate
Exodus 28:11,21,26;
Exodus 39:6,14,30 (all P; see Benz
258ff.);
Job 38:14 =
clay of (under)
a signet;
Job 41:7a close signet, i.e. one that is closely pressed down, simile of closely joined () scales of crocodile.
Topical Lexicon
Symbol of Ownership and AuthorityThe ancient Near East knew no signatures in our modern sense; identity and intent were impressed with a seal. The object itself—whether ring, cylinder, or stamp—bore a unique design. When pressed into soft clay or wax, it left an indelible mark that authenticated documents, secured containers, or signified personal property.Genesis 38:18 presents the seal as the most valuable proof of Judah’s identity: “Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand.” Possession of the seal equaled possession of the owner’s authority, explaining why Jezebel could manipulate royal power by “sealed” letters in1 Kings 21:8.
Cultural and Historical Background
Archaeology has uncovered thousands of Israelite and Judean bullae (seal impressions), confirming the biblical picture. Designs often featured personal names, patronymics, or symbolic imagery such as lions, palm trees, or stars. Because clay tablets or papyrus were folded and tied, the clay lump bearing the seal had to be broken to open the document; an unbroken impression testified that nothing had been altered (compareDaniel 6:17, which, while using another Hebrew word, illustrates the same practice).
Priestly and Cultic Use
Exodus links the seal motif with Israel’s worship. The names of the twelve tribes were to be “engraved with the names of the sons of Israel … like a seal” on onyx stones set on the high priest’s shoulders (Exodus 28:11; 39:6). Likewise, the twelve gemstones over his heart were “engraved … like a seal” (28:21; 39:14). The golden plate on the turban received the same treatment: “engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD” (28:36; 39:30). In the tabernacle economy the seal marks:
• representation—each tribe permanently inscribed before God;
• holiness—the words on the golden plate declare that the priest (and, by extension, the people he represents) is set apart for the Lord;
• immutability—the engraving cannot be erased, reflecting the enduring covenant.
Cosmic and Poetic Imagery
Job employs the seal to describe God’s mastery over creation. Dawn transforms the earth “like clay under a seal” (Job 38:14), producing sharply defined relief as a craftsman’s stamp gives clarity to clay. Leviathan’s armor is praised: “His rows of scales are his pride, tightly sealed together” (Job 41:15), an impenetrable barrier illustrating divine craftsmanship.
Love and Covenant in Song of Songs
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, like a seal upon your arm” (Song of Songs 8:6). The repetition underscores exclusivity and permanence. Just as a monarch’s seal cannot be duplicated or broken without dire consequence, so marital love is presented as singular, inviolable, and enduring—“for love is as strong as death.” The language moves the reader from a symbol of legal authority to a symbol of relational commitment.
Royal and Administrative Use
Kings wore signet rings to authorize edicts, yet the prophets stress that divine sovereignty exceeds royal authority. “Even if you, Coniah … were a signet ring on My right hand, I would pull you off,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 22:24). The signet’s symbolic power could not shield a faithless king from judgment. Conversely,Haggai 2:23 announces hope to the post-exilic community: “I will take you, Zerubbabel … and make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you.” The Davidic line, seemingly broken, is affirmed as God’s chosen instrument, foreshadowing the Messiah.
Theological Significance
1. Identity and Ownership. To be sealed is to belong. The high priest’s engraved stones teach that God knows His people by name and bears them continually on His heart.
2. Authenticity and Truthfulness. Jezebel’s fraudulent use of Ahab’s seal warns against false authority, while the faithful use of seals in Exodus points to transparent integrity before God.
3. Security and Protection. A sealed document or container was tamper-proof; similarly, God’s promises are unrevisable.
4. Covenant and Choice. Jeremiah and Haggai employ the signet to address covenant violation and restoration, stressing God’s freedom to remove or confer royal legitimacy.
5. Anticipation of Spiritual Sealing. The Old Testament pattern prepares for the New Testament reality: believers are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13), guaranteeing inheritance and confirming divine ownership.
Messianic and Redemptive Overtones
Zerubbabel’s elevation “like My signet ring” (Haggai 2:23) contains a promise that transcends his own lifetime. Although Zerubbabel never reigned as king, the Gospel writers trace Messiah’s lineage through him (Matthew 1:12–13;Luke 3:27). The chosen “signet” thus ultimately points to Jesus Christ, the perfect embodiment of divine authority and covenant fidelity.
Ministry Application
• Assurance. Just as the engraved names could never be removed from the priestly stones, the believer’s name, once written in the Lamb’s book of life, is secure.
• Integrity. Those entrusted with authority—pastors, elders, parents—must wield it faithfully, lest they repeat Jezebel’s abuse of the seal.
• Representation. Intercessory prayer mirrors the priestly ministry: carrying the names of God’s people before the throne with confidence that they are precious and remembered.
• Exclusive Devotion. Song of Songs calls for undivided love toward God and spouse, reminding the church that she is “betrothed to one husband” (2 Corinthians 11:2).
The recurring image of the seal—personal, priestly, royal, prophetic—threads through Scripture to emphasize that what God marks as His remains His, authenticated, protected, and destined for consummation in Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
וַתַּחְתֹּ֖ם ותחתם חֹתָ֔ם חֹתָ֗ם חֹתָֽמְךָ֙ חֹתָם֙ חוֹתָ֑ם חוֹתָ֔ם חוֹתָ֖ם חוֹתָ֥ם חוֹתָם֙ חותם חתם חתמך כַּֽחוֹתָ֑ם כַּֽחוֹתָם֙ כַֽחוֹתָ֜ם כחותם chachoTam choTam chotameCha ḥō·ṯā·mə·ḵā ḥō·ṯām ḥō·w·ṯām ḥōṯām ḥōṯāməḵā ḥōwṯām ka·ḥō·w·ṯām ḵa·ḥō·w·ṯām kachoTam kaḥōwṯām ḵaḥōwṯām vattachTom wat·taḥ·tōm wattaḥtōm
Links
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