σφραγίς (sfragis) — seal / signet / mark

Form 1

Part of speech: noun, f.

Inflections: σφραγίς; -ῖδος

Sense 1: seal, signet

Semantic entry: 6.54

Semantic domains: Artifacts

Subdomains: Instruments Used in Marking and Writing

Definition: an engraved object used to make a mark denoting ownership, approval, or closure of something (normally done by pressing into heated wax and usually attached to a document or letter)

Notes: In some languages the closest equivalent to ‘seal’ or ‘signet’ is the mark made by the seal, for example, ‘the symbol of his name’ or ‘the mark of his ownership.’ In certain contexts one may employ a phrase such as ‘the instrument by which a mark is made.’

Further resources: realia:10.2

Show passage in OET: REV 7:2

OET-RV REV 7:2

2 Then I saw another messenger coming up from the direction of the rising sun, and he was holding the living God’s seal. He called out loudly to the four messengers that God had permitted to damage the earth and the sea,

OET-LV REV 7:2

2 And I _saw another messenger, going _up from the_rising of_the_sun, having the_seal of_god the_living, and he _cried _out with_a_voice loud to _the four messengers to _whom was _given to _them to _injure the earth and the sea

Jump to OET REV 7:2 section.

Sense 2: seal

Semantic entry: 6.62

Semantic domains: Artifacts

Subdomains: Instruments Used in Marking and Writing

Definition: the substance which bears the imprint of a seal or signet (see σφραγίς[a], 6.54: σφραγίς), used for sealing a document or for showing ownership or endorsement

Notes: In OET REV 5:2 one may speak of ‘the wax that keeps the scroll closed,’ but in some languages it may be better to use a more general statement, for example, ‘the substance with which the scroll is sealed’ or ‘the substance that kept the scroll closed.’

Further resources: realia:10.2

Show passage in OET: REV 5:1

OET-RV REV 5:1

5 Then I saw a scroll in the right-hand of the one sitting on the throne. It had writing on both sides, and had been sealed with seven wax seals.

OET-LV REV 5:1

5 And I _saw on the right hand of _the one sitting on the throne a_scroll, having _been _written inside and behind, having _been _sealed _up seven with _seals.

Show passage in OET: REV 5:2

OET-RV REV 5:2

2 I also saw a powerful messenger who was asking in a loud voice, “Who’s worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”

OET-LV REV 5:2

2 And I _saw a_messenger strong, proclaiming in in_a_voice loud:
Who worthy to _open _up the scroll, and to _break the seals of _it?

Jump to OET REV 5:1 section.

Jump to OET REV 5:2 section.

All 11 recorded passages for this sense

REV: OET REV 5:1–2 · OET REV 5:5 · OET REV 5:9 · OET REV 6:1 · OET REV 6:3 · OET REV 6:5 · OET REV 6:7 · OET REV 6:9 · OET REV 6:12 · OET REV 8:1

Sense 3: mark, seal

Semantic entry: 33.483

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Non-Verbal Communication

Definition: the impression of a signet ring or seal, primarily indicating ownership

Notes: One may also translate this clause in OET REV 9:4 as ‘who do not have the mark on their foreheads which shows that they belong to God.’

Further resources: realia:10.2

Show passage in OET: TI2 2:19

OET-RV TI2 2:19

19 However God’s solid foundation has stood with this inscription on it: ‘Yahweh knew his own ones,’ and ‘Let everyone who claims to follow Yahweh avoid disobedience.’

OET-LV TI2 2:19

19 However the solid foundation of_ the _god has _stood, having the this seal:
The_master knew the ones being of _him, and, let_ everyone - naming the name of_the_master _Withdraw from unrighteousness.

Show passage in OET: REV 9:4

OET-RV REV 9:4

4 However the locusts were told that they shouldn’t harm the grass or any green plants or trees, but only those people who didn’t have God’s mark on their foreheads.

OET-LV REV 9:4

4 And it _was _said to _them that neither they _may _injure the grass of _the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, except not/lest the people who not are _having the seal of_ the _god on their foreheads.

Jump to OET TI2 2:19 section.

Jump to OET REV 9:4 section.

Sense 4: mark, inscription

Semantic entry: 33.47

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Written Language

Definition: the mark or impression made by a seal or stamp

Further resources: realia:10.2

Show passage in OET: TI2 2:19

OET-RV TI2 2:19

19 However God’s solid foundation has stood with this inscription on it: ‘Yahweh knew his own ones,’ and ‘Let everyone who claims to follow Yahweh avoid disobedience.’

OET-LV TI2 2:19

Jump to OET TI2 2:19 section.

Sense 5: certification, validation, proof, evidence of genuineness

Semantic entry: 73.9

Semantic domains: Genuine, Phony

Definition: that which confirms or attests to the genuineness of something

Show passage in OET: ROM 4:11

OET-RV ROM 4:11

11 He received circumcision as a sign—proof of the righteousness that he gained from his faith while he was still uncircumcised—becoming the father of everyone who’s uncircumcised but believes so that they’ll be declared guiltless.

OET-LV ROM 4:11

11 and the_sign he _received of _circumcision, a_seal of _the righteousness of _the faith which in the uncircumcision, in _order that to _be him father of _all the ones believing through uncircumcision, in _order that to _be _counted to _them the righteousness,

Show passage in OET: CO1 9:2

OET-RV CO1 9:2

2 If I’m not a missionary to others, at least I am to all of you, because you’re the proof that I’m a missionary for Yahweh.

OET-LV CO1 9:2

2 If to _others not I _am an_ambassador, but surely to _you _all I _am, because/for the seal of _me of _the commission, you _all are in the_master.

Jump to OET ROM 4:11 section.

Jump to OET CO1 9:2 section.

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament