Original Word: σφραγίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sphragizó
Pronunciation: sfrag-ID-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (sfrag-id'-zo)
KJV: (set a, set to) seal up, stop
NASB: sealed, seal, set seal to, put seal on, set a seal on
Word Origin: [from G4973 (σφραγίς - seal)]

1. to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation
2. (by implication) to keep secret, to attest
{literally or figuratively}

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

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."]

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).

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 ᾧ —i. e. δώματι —κεραυνός 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.)

Cultural and Symbolic Background

In the Greco-Roman world, a σφραγίς (seal) authenticated documents, protected property, and marked ownership. Wax or clay impressions bore the insignia of an authority; to tamper with the seal was to challenge that authority. Scripture adopts this imagery to speak of God’s irrevocable acts of certification, ownership, and safeguarding.

Divine Authentication of the Son

John twice employs the verb to declare the Father’s public endorsement of Jesus.
• John 3:33: “Whoever accepts His testimony has certified that God is truthful.” The believer’s faith functions like a counter-seal affirming God’s veracity.
• John 6:27: “Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal.” The miracle of the loaves climaxes in the declaration that Jesus alone bears the divine imprimatur, guaranteeing the life He offers.

Sealing and Finality in Judgment

Matthew 27:66 records that the Roman guard “secured the tomb by sealing the stone.” Human authorities tried to lock away the crucified Lord, yet the resurrection broke their seal, underscoring the impotence of earthly power against divine purpose.

Revelation 20:3 shows the inverse: God “threw him into the Abyss, locked and sealed it over him.” Satan’s confinement is as sure as Christ’s liberation; the seal testifies to God’s supreme authority in judgment.

Sealing of the Spirit: Present Assurance for the Church

Paul uses σφραγίζω to describe the Holy Spirit’s ministry to believers.
• Ephesians 1:13: “And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”
• Ephesians 4:30: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
• 2 Corinthians 1:22 echoes the thought, linking the seal with the Spirit’s indwelling pledge.

These texts present sealing as (1) a mark of ownership—believers are God’s possession; (2) a guarantee of inheritance—assurance is anchored not in human resolve but in the Spirit’s irrevocable act; and (3) a motivation to holiness—grieving the Spirit contradicts the identity His seal confers.

Apostolic Stewardship and Integrity

Romans 15:28 pictures Paul “sealing” the Gentile offering before delivering it to Jerusalem. The verb stresses his careful authentication of the collection, modeling financial transparency. Ministry resources and gospel integrity alike are to be handled under the divine seal of trustworthiness.

Eschatological Sealing and Protection

Revelation 7 portrays a sealing that precedes judgment:
• Revelation 7:3: “Do not harm the land or sea or trees until we have sealed the foreheads of the servants of our God.”
• The twelve-tribe register (7:4-8) underscores covenant continuity—God knows and preserves His people.

While interpreters debate the precise identity of the 144,000, theologically the passage proclaims God’s sovereign preservation of His own amid tribulation.

Conversely, Revelation 10:4 and 22:10 show selective concealment and disclosure of prophecy: “Seal up what the seven thunders have said” versus “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book.” God controls revelation’s timing; what He seals remains hidden, what He unseals must be proclaimed.

Pastoral Implications

1. Assurance: The Spirit’s seal grounds the believer’s security in God’s promise rather than personal merit.
2. Identity: To bear God’s seal is to embody holiness; sin grieves the Sealer.
3. Mission: As Christ carries the Father’s seal, the Church carries Christ’s commission, presenting a certified gospel to the world.
4. Hope amid Tribulation: Revelation’s sealed servants remind believers that divine ownership guarantees ultimate protection, even when suffering is permitted.

Historical Echoes in Christian Practice

Early baptismal liturgies spoke of the “seal” (σφραγίς) placed upon the catechumen, echoing Ephesians 1:13. The language influenced both sacramental theology and hymnic tradition (“sealed by the Spirit’s promise”). Reformation confessions retained the image to affirm perseverance: true saints are “sealed to the day of redemption.”

Theological Summary

σφραγίζω unites past, present, and future: the Father sealed the Son, the Spirit seals believers now, and God will seal His servants for coming judgment. Each occurrence underscores Scripture’s consistent testimony that what God seals no power can annul.

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 SphrágisonInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts