January 25, 2012

Transliteration: sphragizó
Phonetic Spelling: (sfrag-id’-zo)
Short Definition: I set a seal upon
Definition:  Signifies ownership and the full security carried by the backing or full authority of the owner, authorizing or validating what is sealed. “Sealing” in the ancient world served as a “legal signature” which guaranteed the promise (contents) of what was sealed.  To stamp with a signet or private mark for security or preservation by implication, to keep secret.

In this “Tupperware” age we know the importance of a good ‘seal’.  When things are sealed properly they don’t ‘spoil’.  And with technology there have been many forms and types of seals developed.

But in the time of Christ, there was a seal that was formed by dropping wax or softened clay on the opening of a document or other container and then taking your personal signet, probably a stone carved with your personal emblem and plunging it down into the hot wax or soft clay.  This pressed the wax or clay down and solidly imprinted your unique emblem onto the wax.  It marked ownership.

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