4972. sphragizó
Lexicon
sphragizó: To seal, to set a seal upon, to mark with a seal

Original Word: σφραγίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sphragizó
Pronunciation: sfrag-ID-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (sfrag-id'-zo)
Definition: To seal, to set a seal upon, to mark with a seal
Meaning: I seal, set a seal upon.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
seal

From sphragis; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to attest -- (set a, set to) seal up, stop.

see GREEK sphragis

HELPS Word-studies

4972 sphragízō (from 4973 /sphragís, "a seal") – properly, to seal (affix) with a signet ring or other instrument to stamp (a roller or seal), i.e. to attest ownership, authorizing (validating) what is sealed.

4972 /sphragízō ("to seal") signifies ownership and the full security carried by the backing (full authority) of the owner. "Sealing" in the ancient world served as a "legal signature" which guaranteed the promise (contents) of what was sealed.

[Sealing was sometimes done in antiquity by the use of religious tattoos – again signifying "belonging to."]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from sphragis
Definition
to seal
NASB Translation
put...seal on (1), seal (2), sealed (9), set a seal on (1), set...seal to (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4972: σφραγίζω

σφραγίζω (Revelation 7:3 Rec.st); 1 aorist ἐσφραγισα; 1 aorist middle participle σφραγισάμενος; passive, perfect participle ἐσφραγισμενος; 1 aorist ἐσφραγίσθην; (in 2 Corinthians 11:10 Rec.st gives the form σφραγίσεται de coniectura vel errore (Tdf.; see his note at the passage)); (σφραγίς, which see); the Sept. for חָתַם; to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal;

a. for security: τί, Matthew 27:66; namely, τήν ἄβυσσον, to close it, lest Satan after being cast into it should come out; hence, the addition ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ, over him i. e. Satan, Revelation 20:3 (ἐν —i. e. δώματικεραυνός ἐστιν ἐσφραγισμενος, Aeschylus Eum. 828; middle σφραγίζομαι τήν θύραν, Bel and the Dragon, , Theod.).

b. Since things sealed up are concealed (as, the contents of a letter), (σφραγίζω means, tropically, to hide (Deuteronomy 32:34), keep in silence, keep secret: τί, Revelation 10:4; Revelation 22:10 (τάς ἁμαρτίας, Daniel 9:24, Theod.; τάς ἀνομίας, Job 14:17; τούς λόγους σιγή, Stobaeus, flor. 34, 9, p. 215; θαυματα πολλά σοφή σφρηγισσατο σιγή, Norm. paraphr. evang. Ioan. 21,140).

c. in order to mark a person or thing; hence, to set a mark upon by the impress of a seal, to stamp: angels are said σφραγίζειν τινας ἐπί τῶν μετώπων, i. e. with the seal of God (see σφραγίς, c.) to stamp his servants on their foreheads as destined for eternal salvation, and by this means to confirm their hopes, Revelation 7:3, cf. Ewald at the passage; (B. D., under the words, Cuttings and Forehead); hence, οἱ εσφραγισμένοι, fourteen times in Rec. Revelation 7:4-8, four times by G L T Tr WH (δεινοισι σημαντροισιν εσφραγισμένοι, Euripides, Iph. Taur. 1372); metaphorically: τινα τῷ πνεύματι and ἐν τῷ πνεύματι, respecting God, who by the gift of the Holy Spirit indicates who are his, passive, Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; absolutely, middle with τινα, 2 Corinthians 1:22.

d. in order to prove, confirm, or attest a thing; hence, tropically, to confirm, authenticate, place beyond doubt (a written document τῷ δακτυλίῳ, Esther 8:8): followed by ὅτι, John 3:33; τινα, to prove by one's testimony to a person that he is what he professes to be, John 6:27. Somewhat unusual is the expression σφραγισάμενος αὐτοῖς τόν καρπόν τοῦτον, when I shall have confirmed (sealed) to them this fruit (of love), meaning apparently, when I shall have given authoritative assurance that this money was collected for their use, Romans 15:28. (Compare: κατασφραγίζω.)

Topical Lexicon
Word Origin: From σφραγίς (sphragís), meaning "a seal" or "a signet."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: H2856 חָתַם (chatham): To seal, to close up, to make an end. This Hebrew term is often used in similar contexts as σφραγίζω, such as in the sealing of documents or decrees (e.g., Esther 8:8).

H2368 חוֹתָם (chotham): A seal or signet. This noun is related to the act of sealing and is used to describe the physical seal or signet ring (e.g., Genesis 38:18).

These entries highlight the continuity between the Old and New Testament concepts of sealing, emphasizing the importance of divine authority and protection throughout the biblical narrative.

Usage: The verb σφραγίζω is used in the New Testament to convey the act of sealing, which can imply protection, authentication, or confirmation. It is used both in literal and metaphorical contexts.

Context: The term σφραγίζω appears in various contexts within the New Testament, reflecting both physical and spiritual dimensions of sealing. In the ancient world, a seal was a mark of ownership and authenticity, often used to secure documents or goods. This concept is carried into the biblical text, where σφραγίζω is employed to signify divine authority and protection.

Literal Sealing: In Matthew 27:66, σφραγίζω is used to describe the sealing of Jesus' tomb: "So they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and posting the guard." This act was intended to prevent tampering and to authenticate the security measures taken.

Spiritual Sealing: In a spiritual sense, σφραγίζω is used to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers. Ephesians 1:13 states, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit." Here, the sealing signifies the believer's secure position in Christ and the guarantee of their inheritance.

Eschatological Sealing: The Book of Revelation uses σφραγίζω to describe the sealing of God's servants, indicating divine protection and ownership during times of judgment. Revelation 7:3 says, "Do not harm the land or sea or trees until we have sealed the foreheads of the servants of our God."

The act of sealing, therefore, encompasses themes of security, authenticity, and divine ownership, reflecting both the cultural practices of the time and the theological truths conveyed in Scripture.

Forms and Transliterations
εσφραγισάμην εσφράγισαν εσφράγισας εσφραγίσατο εσφραγισεν εσφράγισεν ἐσφράγισεν εσφραγίσθη εσφραγισθητε εσφραγίσθητε ἐσφραγίσθητε εσφραγισμένη εσφραγισμενοι εσφραγισμένοι ἐσφραγισμένοι εσφραγισμένον εσφραγισμένου εσφραγισμενων εσφραγισμένων ἐσφραγισμένων εσφράγισται σφραγιζόμενοι σφραγιζόντων σφραγιή σφραγίσαι σφραγισαμενος σφραγισάμενος σφραγισαντες σφραγίσαντες σφραγίσατε σφραγισης σφραγίσης σφραγίσῃς σφραγισθή Σφραγισον Σφράγισον σφραγισωμεν σφραγίσωμεν esphragisen esphrágisen esphragismenoi esphragisménoi esphragismenon esphragismenōn esphragisménon esphragisménōn esphragisthete esphragisthēte esphragísthete esphragísthēte sphragisamenos sphragisámenos sphragisantes sphragísantes sphragíseis sphragísēis sphragises sphragisēs sphragisomen sphragisōmen sphragísomen sphragísōmen Sphragison Sphrágison
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 27:66 V-APA-NMP
GRK: τὸν τάφον σφραγίσαντες τὸν λίθον
NAS: and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.
KJV: sure, sealing the stone,
INT: the tomb having sealed the stone

John 3:33 V-AIA-3S
GRK: τὴν μαρτυρίαν ἐσφράγισεν ὅτι ὁ
NAS: His testimony has set his seal to [this], that God
KJV: testimony hath set to his seal that
INT: testimony has set his seal to that

John 6:27 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ὁ πατὴρ ἐσφράγισεν ὁ θεός
NAS: God, has set His seal.
KJV: God the Father sealed.
INT: the Father sealed [even] God

Romans 15:28 V-APM-NMS
GRK: ἐπιτελέσας καὶ σφραγισάμενος αὐτοῖς τὸν
NAS: this, and have put my seal on this
KJV: this, and have sealed to them this
INT: having finished and having sealed to them the

2 Corinthians 1:22 V-APM-NMS
GRK: ὁ καὶ σφραγισάμενος ἡμᾶς καὶ
NAS: who also sealed us and gave
KJV: hath also sealed us, and
INT: the [one] also having sealed us and

Ephesians 1:13 V-AIP-2P
GRK: καὶ πιστεύσαντες ἐσφραγίσθητε τῷ πνεύματι
NAS: believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy
KJV: after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy
INT: also having believed you were sealed with the Spirit

Ephesians 4:30 V-AIP-2P
GRK: ἐν ᾧ ἐσφραγίσθητε εἰς ἡμέραν
NAS: by whom you were sealed for the day
KJV: whereby ye are sealed unto
INT: by which you were sealed for [the] day

Revelation 7:3 V-ASA-1P
GRK: δένδρα ἄχρι σφραγίσωμεν τοὺς δούλους
NAS: until we have sealed the bond-servants
KJV: till we have sealed the servants
INT: trees until we seal the servants

Revelation 7:4 V-RPM/P-GMP
GRK: ἀριθμὸν τῶν ἐσφραγισμένων ἑκατὸν τεσσεράκοντα
NAS: of those who were sealed, one hundred
KJV: the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed
INT: number of the sealed one hundred forty

Revelation 7:4 V-RPM/P-NMP
GRK: τέσσαρες χιλιάδες ἐσφραγισμένοι ἐκ πάσης
NAS: thousand sealed from every
KJV: of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred
INT: four thousand sealed out of every

Revelation 7:5 V-RPM/P-NMP
GRK: δώδεκα χιλιάδες ἐσφραγισμένοι ἐκ φυλῆς
NAS: thousand [were] sealed, from the tribe
KJV: of Juda [were] sealed twelve
INT: twelve thousand sealed out of [the] tribe

Revelation 7:8 V-RPM/P-NMP
GRK: δώδεκα χιλιάδες ἐσφραγισμένοι
NAS: twelve thousand [were] sealed.
KJV: of Zabulon [were] sealed twelve
INT: twelve thousand sealed

Revelation 10:4 V-AMA-2S
GRK: οὐρανοῦ λέγουσαν Σφράγισον ἃ ἐλάλησαν
NAS: saying, Seal up the things which
KJV: unto me, Seal up those things which
INT: heaven saying Seal what [things] spoke

Revelation 20:3 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἔκλεισεν καὶ ἐσφράγισεν ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ
NAS: and shut [it] and sealed [it] over
KJV: up, and set a seal upon him,
INT: shut and sealed over him

Revelation 22:10 V-ASA-2S
GRK: μοι Μὴ σφραγίσῃς τοὺς λόγους
NAS: And he said to me, Do not seal up the words
KJV: he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings
INT: to me not Seal the words

Strong's Greek 4972
15 Occurrences


ἐσφράγισεν — 3 Occ.
ἐσφραγισμένων — 1 Occ.
ἐσφραγισμένοι — 3 Occ.
ἐσφραγίσθητε — 2 Occ.
σφραγισάμενος — 2 Occ.
σφραγίσαντες — 1 Occ.
σφραγίσῃς — 1 Occ.
σφραγίσωμεν — 1 Occ.
Σφράγισον — 1 Occ.















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