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Greek

Seal

σφραγίςStrong’s G4973

sphragis

Appears in 16 verses of the New Testament

In short

Sphragis is the Greek word usually translated “seal” and “seals”. It appears in 16 verses of the New Testament.

“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:”
Romans 4:11 KJV
Meaning

Usually translated “seal” and “seals”. Open the dictionary entry below for the full range of meaning, with the verses it cites.

How it's translated
  • seal 10
  • seals 4
  • a seal 1
  • with seals 1

Word-by-word English from the STEPBible tagged text.

Where it's used most
  • Revelation 13
  • Romans 1
  • 1 Corinthians 1
  • 2 Timothy 1

4 books in all.

Related words
Explore in Scripture
All 16 verses, by book
Romans 1
4:11
1 Corinthians 1
9:2
2 Timothy 1
2:19
Greek dictionary

σφραγίς sphragis · seal

σφραγίς, -ῖδος, ἡ [in LXX: Exo.28:11, al. (חוֹתָם) Exo.35:22 (חָח), Sir.17:22, al. ;] 1. a seal, signet: Rev.7:2. 2. The impression of a seal or signet, a seal (on its various purposes, see: σφραγίζω): on a book or roll, Rev.5:1-2, 5 5:9 6:1, 3 6:5, 7 6:9, 12 8:1; metaphorically, Rom.4:11, 1Co.9:2, 2Ti.2:19, Rev.9:4.† (AS)

From STEPBible’s Greek lexicon (based on Abbott-Smith).

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

How the English word “seal” was understood when the King James Version was still the common Bible of English readers.

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.

    All definitions and other forms of “seal”

      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.
      2. The wax or wafer that makes fast a letter or other paper.
      3. Any act of confirmation.
      4. That which confirms, ratifies or makes stable; assurance. 2 Timothy 2:19
      5. 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.
      3. To confirm; to ratify; to establish.“When therefore I hace performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you in Spain” Romans 15:28
      4. To shut or keep close; sometimes with up.
      5. To make fast.“So they went and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone and settig a watch” Matthew 27:66
      6. To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality.
      7. To keep secret.“Shut up the words, and seal the book” Daniel 12:4
      8. To mark as ones property, and secure from danger.
      9. To close; to fulfill; to complete; with up.
      10. To imprint on the; 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

        Noah Webster, An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). Verse references are checked against the KJV. Read the full entry.

        Verses are from the King James Version. Word meanings come from the original Greek, not from any one translation.