Seal
σφραγίς (sphragis)
A mark of ownership, authenticity, and security — God's guarantee upon His people.
Sphragis is the Greek word for seal, referring to a mark of ownership, authenticity, and protection. The Holy Spirit is described as God's seal upon believers, guaranteeing their identity and eternal inheritance.
"In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." — Ephesians 1:13 (KJV)
Key Verses
Ephesians 1:13
“In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”Read in context
2 Corinthians 1:22
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”Read in context
Ephesians 4:30
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's G4972 — Seal (σφραγίς (sphragis))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where σφραγίς (sphragis) appears.
Open Strong's G4972Etymology and Original Meaning
Sphragis referred to a signet ring impression pressed into wax or clay. In the ancient world, a seal served multiple purposes: it authenticated documents (proving they were genuine), secured contents (preventing tampering), and marked ownership (identifying what belonged to whom). A seal carried the authority of its owner — breaking a king's seal was a serious offense.
Seals in the Old Testament
Kings and officials used seals for official documents (1 Kings 21:8; Esther 3:12). God told Jeremiah to seal the deed of purchase as a sign of future restoration (Jeremiah 32:10-14). Song of Solomon 8:6 uses the seal as a metaphor for love: 'Set me as a seal upon thine heart.' Daniel was sealed in the lions' den by the king's signet (Daniel 6:17).
The Holy Spirit as God's Seal
Paul teaches that the moment a person believes, they are 'sealed with that holy Spirit of promise' (Ephesians 1:13). This sealing marks ownership (believers belong to God), authenticates identity (they are genuinely His children), and provides security (sealed 'unto the day of redemption,' Ephesians 4:30). The Spirit is God's personal stamp on His people.
The Seal and Assurance
Being sealed by the Spirit provides profound assurance. If God Himself has marked believers as His own, who can un-mark them? The seal is also described as an 'earnest' or down payment (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:14) — a guarantee of the full inheritance to come. God does not merely promise the future; He deposits a portion of it in believers now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does seal mean in the Bible?
A seal (sphragis) is a mark of ownership, authenticity, and security. The Holy Spirit seals believers, identifying them as God's own, authenticating their faith, and guaranteeing their eternal inheritance.
When are believers sealed with the Holy Spirit?
According to Ephesians 1:13, believers are sealed at the moment of faith — 'after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.' It is an immediate, divine act accompanying salvation.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Seal"?
Ephesians 1:13 — "In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (KJV). It also appears in 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 4:30.
Why does the Greek word behind "Seal" matter?
Sphragis referred to a signet ring impression pressed into wax or clay. English uses one word, "Seal", where the Greek σφραγίς (sphragis) carries the fuller sense: a mark of ownership, authenticity, and security — god's guarantee upon his people.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Seal (σφραγίς (sphragis))
A mark of ownership, authenticity, and security — God's guarantee upon His people.
Strong's G4972 — Seal
σφραγίς (sphragis) • A mark of ownership, authenticity, and security — God's guarantee upon His people.
Acts 20:36 Commentary
In-depth study • A Farewell Sealed on the Knees
Ephesians 1:13 Commentary
In-depth study • Holy Spirit
Biblical Meaning of Water in a Dream (KJV)
Cleansing, the Spirit, and the Word of God.
Biblical Meaning of a House in a Dream (KJV)
The self, the family, and the household of God.
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