Word Study for G4972 (σφραγίζω)

sphragízō /sfrag-id'-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom σφραγίς

Meaningto stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to attest

KJV usage(set a, set to) seal up, stop.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of sphragízō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word sphragízō, represented by G4972, means to stamp with a signet or private mark. It appears 29 times across 17 unique verses, signifying concepts of security, preservation, secrecy, or attestation in both literal and figurative contexts. Its core meaning revolves around applying a mark of ownership or authority to secure, protect, or validate something.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, G4972 applies to several key actions. In a literal sense, it is used to make something physically secure, such as when a watch made the sepulchre sure by sealing the stone Matthew 27:66. It is also used to secure the bottomless pit after an angel set a seal upon it Revelation 20:3. Figuratively, the term signifies divine authentication; God the Father sealed the Son of man John 6:27, and a person who receives His testimony has set to his seal that God is true John 3:33. Another figurative use is for concealment, as when John is commanded to Seal up the things uttered by the seven thunders Revelation 10:4, which is later contrasted with the command to Seal not the sayings of the prophecy in the book of Revelation Revelation 22:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and application of sealing:

G2808 kleíō (to close... shut (up)): This word is used alongside sphragízō to describe the securing of the bottomless pit, which was shut up and then sealed Revelation 20:3, linking the physical act of closing with the authoritative act of sealing.
G805 asphalízō (to render secure): This term is used to describe making the sepulchre sure, an act that involved sealing the stone Matthew 27:66. It highlights the role of a seal in ensuring security.
G728 arrhabṓn (a pledge... earnest): Being sealed by God is directly connected to receiving the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts 2 Corinthians 1:22. The seal is thus part of the pledge or down payment of a believer's inheritance.
G5420 phrássō (to fence or inclose... stop): This word is combined with sphragízō in the phrase "no man shall stop me of this boasting" 2 Corinthians 11:10, showing a specialized figurative use related to preventing or closing off an action.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4972 is primarily seen in its application to believers and divine revelation.

Divine Authentication: The act of sealing serves as God's mark of approval and truth. God the Father sealed the Son of man, validating His authority and mission John 6:27. When a person believes, they in effect attest that God is true John 3:33.
Spiritual Preservation and Ownership: Believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit, which signifies their security in salvation and God's ownership over them. This seal is given after believing the gospel of salvation Ephesians 1:13 and preserves them unto the day of redemption Ephesians 4:30. This is vividly pictured in the sealing of God's servants in their foreheads for protection Revelation 7:3.
Concealment and Revelation: A seal can be used to keep a message secret until the appointed time. John was commanded to Seal up what the thunders uttered Revelation 10:4, while later being told to Seal not the words of prophecy because the time was at hand Revelation 22:10.

Summary

In summary, G4972 is a powerful word that moves from the literal act of sealing a stone on a tomb Matthew 27:66 or securing a delivery of fruit Romans 15:28 to the profound spiritual reality of being sealed by the Holy Spirit. It illustrates divine authority, the security of the believer, and the careful stewardship of revelation. This term is key to understanding God's mark of ownership and the preservation of His people.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 26 occurrences, inflected in 10 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Perfect Passive Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 13×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
Aorist Middle Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 2×
Aorist Passive Indicative 2nd Plural 2×
2nd Future Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Singular 1×
Aorist Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 1st Plural 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Singular 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 17 verses across 6 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Revelation (9 verses); never once in the other 21.

Matthew

John

Romans

2 Corinthians

Ephesians

Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.