📖 Biblical Definition
A signet is a personal seal-stone — often set in a ring — used by kings and nobles to authenticate documents, decrees, and ownership. Pressed into wax or clay, it left an unforgeable mark that could not be replicated without the original. Pharaoh gave Joseph his signet to administer Egypt’s grain ("And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand", Genesis 41:42). Ahasuerus gave Haman his signet to seal the genocide decree, then transferred it to Mordecai after Haman’s fall (Esther 3:10; 8:2). Daniel’s lions’ den was sealed with the king’s signet (Daniel 6:17). And in Haggai 2:23, the LORD declares of Zerubbabel: "I will make thee as a signet" — fulfilled in Christ his descendant.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
SIG'NET, n.
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A seal; particularly, in Great Britain, the seal used by the king in sealing his private letters and grants that pass by bill under his hand.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 41:42 — "Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand."
Esther 8:8 — "For the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse."
Haggai 2:23 — "I will take thee, O Zerubbabel... and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee."
Song of Solomon 8:6 — "Set me as a seal upon thine heart."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern identity is self-authenticated; biblical identity is signet-marked by the King.
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The signet in Scripture is the mark of authority transferred. Pharaoh placed his signet on Joseph's hand and effectively made him second only to the throne. Esther saved her people by getting Ahasuerus's signet on her cousin's decree. Haggai 2:23 is the Messianic note: God promises Zerubbabel He will make him a signet, restoring the Davidic line that Coniah had forfeited (Jer 22:24).
The believer is also signet-marked. Ephesians 1:13 says the saint is sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. The seal is the Lord's own pressed into the heart, marking ownership and authenticating identity. Modern man builds identity from the inside out; biblical identity is signet-given from the outside in. The Father has put His ring on you. Live as one signet-marked.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew chotham (H2368); Greek sphragis (G4973).
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Usage
"Modern identity is self-authenticated; biblical identity is signet-marked by the King."
"The Father has put His ring on you; live as one signet-marked."
"Set me as a seal upon thine heart — covenant love is signet-deep."