Original Word: חֲתַם
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chatham
Pronunciation: khaw-tham'
Phonetic Spelling: (khath-am')
KJV: seal
NASB: sealed
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) a root corresponding to H2856 (חָתַם - sealed)]

1. to seal

(Aramaic) a root corresponding to chatham; to seal -- seal.

see HEBREW chatham

The word conveys the action of inscribing or impressing an official mark upon an object to render it closed, protected, or authenticated. In Ancient Near Eastern practice a seal established finality, ownership, and the authority of the one who stamped it. Scripture adopts the practice to communicate the certainty of royal decrees and, by extension, the irrevocable resolve of God Himself.

Old Testament Usage

The term appears once, in Daniel 6:17: “Then a stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel would be changed”. Although singular in attestation, the verb’s force is unmistakable: the sealing fixes the decree, safeguards its contents, and proclaims the king’s sovereign intent.

Historical Context in Daniel 6:17

Darius, having been pressured by officials jealous of Daniel, cast the prophet into a den of lions. The monarch’s sealing of the stone mirrors Persian legal custom wherein a royal edict could not be revoked (Daniel 6:8, Daniel 6:12, Daniel 6:15). The combined signets of both king and nobles heightened the legal permanence, preventing tampering by any party and underscoring the gravity of the situation. Ironically, the seal that aimed to ensure Daniel’s demise becomes the stage for God’s deliverance, showcasing divine supremacy over human law.

Theological Significance of Sealing

1. Certainty and Irrevocability: The seal in Daniel testifies that what is sealed is settled. This motif anticipates the broader biblical principle that what God seals cannot be undone by man (Isaiah 55:11).
2. Protection: Though the den is secured against Daniel, the narrative reveals that the ultimate protective seal is God’s sovereign care, foreshadowing His preservation of His people.
3. Authentication: Sealing validates the authority behind the decree. In salvation history, God’s seal authenticates both covenant documents (Jeremiah 32:10–14) and His redeemed people (Ephesians 1:13).

Inter-Testamental and New Testament Echoes

While Strong’s 2857 itself does not reappear, the theology of sealing surges forward:
• Sealing of the tomb of Jesus by Roman authority (Matthew 27:66) parallels Darius’ act, yet divine intervention again nullifies human finality (Matthew 28:2–6).
• The Holy Spirit seals believers “for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30), employing the same imagery of irrevocable ownership and safeguarded destiny.
• Revelation depicts 144,000 servants sealed on their foreheads (Revelation 7:3–4), a divine counter-seal against destructive powers.

Ministerial Implications

Preaching Daniel 6:17 can highlight:
• God’s ability to override the seals of worldly powers, instilling courage amidst governmental or societal opposition.
• Assurance to the church that God’s seal in the Spirit is stronger than any earthly verdict.
• The call to integrity: Daniel’s faithfulness invited hostility, yet it became the platform for God’s vindicating miracle.

Application for Believers Today

Believers may rest in the certainty that God’s promises to them are sealed. Just as no Persian noble could break Darius’ seal without penalty, no spiritual adversary can annul God’s salvific decree. The narrative encourages steadfast obedience, confident intercession, and hope in divine deliverance regardless of outward “seals” that appear to confine or condemn.

Related Themes

• Divine Sovereignty over Human Decrees (Psalm 2:1–6).
• Sealed Covenants and Property (Jeremiah 32:44).
• Spiritual Sealing by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22).