A signet, in biblical times, was a small seal used for authenticating documents, letters, or other items, often worn as a ring. It held significant authority and power, symbolizing the identity and authority of its owner. The use of signets is mentioned several times throughout the Bible, reflecting their importance in ancient Near Eastern culture.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, signets were commonly used by individuals in positions of power. One of the earliest mentions is in the account of Judah and Tamar. Judah, unaware that he was dealing with his daughter-in-law Tamar, gave her his signet, cord, and staff as a pledge (Genesis 38:18). This act demonstrated the signet's role as a personal identifier and a symbol of one's word and authority.

The signet also appears in the account of Joseph. Pharaoh, recognizing Joseph's wisdom and ability, elevated him to a position of power in Egypt. As a sign of this authority, Pharaoh gave Joseph his signet ring, allowing him to act with the king's authority (Genesis 41:42). This transfer of the signet ring signified Joseph's new role and the trust placed in him by Pharaoh.

In the book of Esther, the signet ring plays a crucial role in the narrative. King Ahasuerus gave his signet ring to Haman, allowing him to issue decrees in the king's name (Esther 3:10). Later, after Haman's downfall, the king gave the signet ring to Mordecai, empowering him to write new decrees to protect the Jewish people (Esther 8:2). The signet ring, therefore, was a powerful tool for enacting and authenticating royal edicts.

Symbolism and Authority

The signet's significance extends beyond its practical use; it also carries symbolic meaning. In Haggai 2:23 , the Lord declares to Zerubbabel, "I will make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you." Here, the signet ring symbolizes God's chosen servant, reflecting divine authority and favor. This metaphor underscores the intimate relationship between God and His chosen leaders, as well as the authority bestowed upon them.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention signets, the concept of sealing is present. The Apostle Paul speaks of believers being "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 1:13). This sealing signifies ownership, protection, and authenticity, akin to the function of a signet in ancient times.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, signets were typically engraved with unique designs or inscriptions, often bearing the name or emblem of the owner. They were used to impress a mark onto clay or wax, securing the contents of a document or item. The signet's design was unique to its owner, making it a personal and non-transferable symbol of identity and authority.

Signets were often worn as rings, which made them easily accessible for use. The wearing of a signet ring was a visible sign of one's status and authority, and losing or giving away a signet could have significant implications, as seen in the biblical narratives.

In summary, the signet in biblical times was a powerful symbol of authority, identity, and authenticity. Its use in the Bible highlights the importance of trust, responsibility, and the transfer of power, both in human and divine contexts.A seal used to attest documents (Dan. 6:8-10, 12). In 6:17, this word properly denotes a ring. The impression of a signet ring on fine clay has recently been discovered among the ruins at Nineveh. It bears the name and title of an Egyptian king. Two actual signet rings of ancient Egyptian monarchs (Cheops and Horus) have also been discovered.

When digging a shaft close to the south wall of the temple area, the engineers of the Palestine Exploration Fund, at a depth of 12 feet below the surface, came upon a pavement of polished stones, formerly one of the streets of the city. Under this pavement they found a stratum of 16 feet of concrete, and among this concrete, 10 feet down, they found a signet stone bearing the inscription, in Old Hebrew characters, "Haggai, son of Shebaniah." It has been asked, Might not this be the actual seal of Haggai the prophet? We know that he was in Jerusalem after the Captivity; and it is somewhat singular that he alone of all the minor prophets makes mention of a signet (Haggai 2:23). (see SEAL.)

(n.) A seal; especially, in England, the seal used by the sovereign in sealing private letters and grants that pass by bill under the sign manual; -- called also privy signet.SIGNET

sig'-net.

See SEAL.

4973. sphragis -- a seal, a signet
... a seal, a signet. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sphragis Phonetic
Spelling: (sfrag-ece') Short Definition: a signet-ring, impression of a seal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4973.htm - 7k

4972. sphragizo -- to seal
... 4972 (from 4973 , "a seal") -- properly, to seal (affix) with a signet ring or other
instrument to stamp (a roller or seal), ie to , () what is sealed. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4972.htm - 8k

2885. tabbaath -- signet ring, ring, signet
... 2884, 2885. tabbaath. 2886 . signet ring, ring, signet. Transliteration: tabbaath
Phonetic Spelling: (tab-bah'-ath) Short Definition: rings. ...
/hebrew/2885.htm - 6k

5824. izqah -- a signet ring
... 5823, 5824. izqah. 5825 . a signet ring. Transliteration: izqah Phonetic
Spelling: (iz-kaw') Short Definition: ring. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/5824.htm - 6k

2368. chotham -- a seal, signet ring
... chotham or chotham. 2369 . a seal, signet ring. Transliteration: chotham or chotham
Phonetic Spelling: (kho-thawm') Short Definition: seal. ... seal, signet. ...
/hebrew/2368.htm - 6k

2858. chothemeth -- signet ring
... 2857, 2858. chothemeth. 2859 . signet ring. Transliteration: chothemeth Phonetic
Spelling: (kho-the-meth) Short Definition: ring. ... signet. ...
/hebrew/2858.htm - 6k

The Petition
... "Thou dost remember the all-powerful signet, which my father had from the
Incomparable Pharaoh. ... Behold his signet and its injunction. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxiv the petition.htm

The Judges Said: if You Allege that the Shepherd Exposed the Kid ...
... And when the keepers of the store saw him, they demanded of him his credentials,
in the production of the signet, in order that they might assure themselves of ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/26 the judges said if.htm

On the Way to Thebes
... What, other than the reclamation of the signet by the Incomparable Pharaoh,
even as Mentu had said? ... He believed he should find the signet. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxi on the way.htm

He Proceeds to Show that There is no "Variance" in the Essence of ...
... For the case is as when, the figure in the wax and in the graying of the signet
being one, the wax that has been stamped by the signet, when it is fitted again ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 8 he proceeds to.htm

Under Ban of the Ritual
... "I came to speak further of the signet," he said. "Aye, but what signet, Kenkenes?".
"The signet of the Incomparable Pharaoh.". "What! after three years?". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ii under ban of.htm

The Heir Intervenes
... He had the signet and was absolute master of Meneptah. ... But I have more to tell. There
was a signet, an all-potent signet, which belonged to the noble Mentu"". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxvii the heir intervenes.htm

The Tomb of the Pharaoh
... necessary. He would get the signet that night and return by the swiftest boat
obtainable in Thebes. ... inquiring. "There is need for the signet now"". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxiii the tomb of.htm

Imperial Caesar
... As he glanced down at the reposeful attitude of the man whom he could not exasperate
he saw the sun glitter on the Maccabaean signet on the hand clasped back ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter vii imperial caesar.htm

Of the Thousand Years in which the Dragon or Satan is bound, with ...
... Thus king Darius sealed with his signet and the signet of his nobles, the stone
which was placed over the den of lions into which Daniel was cast. ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/synchronism iv of the thousand.htm

Faith Stopping the Mouths of Lions
... And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed
it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/faith stopping the mouths of.htm

Signet (21 Occurrences)
... 6:8-10, 12). In 6:17, this word properly denotes a ring. The impression of a signet
ring on fine clay has recently been discovered among the ruins at Nineveh. ...
/s/signet.htm - 15k

Signet-rings (2 Occurrences)
Signet-rings. Signet-clay, Signet-rings. Signets . Multi-Version
Concordance Signet-rings (2 Occurrences). Exodus 35 ...
/s/signet-rings.htm - 7k

Signet-clay (1 Occurrence)
Signet-clay. Signet, Signet-clay. Signet-rings . Multi-Version Concordance
Signet-clay (1 Occurrence). Job 38:14 It is changed like ...
/s/signet-clay.htm - 6k

Openings (27 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:11 the work of an engraver in stone, openings of a signet, thou dost open
the two stones by the names of the sons of Israel; turned round ...
/o/openings.htm - 14k

Engravings (11 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet,
you shall engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children ...
/e/engravings.htm - 10k

Seal (47 Occurrences)
... "The use of a signet-ring by the ... Illus. of the OT, p. 46). The actual signet-rings
of two Egyptian kings (Cheops and Horus) have been discovered. (see SIGNET.). ...
/s/seal.htm - 38k

Signets (4 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet,
shalt thou engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children ...
/s/signets.htm - 7k

Ring (33 Occurrences)
... Used as an ornament to decorate the fingers, arms, wrists, and also the ears
and the nose. Rings were used as a signet (Genesis 38:18). ...
/r/ring.htm - 24k

Bracelets (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:18 And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet,
and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. ...
/b/bracelets.htm - 9k

Bracelet (5 Occurrences)
... (5.) In Genesis 38:18, 25, the rendering of a Hebrew word meaning "thread," and
may denote the ornamental cord with which the signet was suspended from the ...
/b/bracelet.htm - 13k

What does it mean that Zerubbabel was the LORD's signet ring (Haggai 2:23)? | GotQuestions.org

Should married Christians wear wedding rings? | GotQuestions.org

What is the curse of Jeconiah? | GotQuestions.org

Signet: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus