חָתַם

châtham /khaw-tham'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto close up; especially to seal
KJV usagemake an end, mark, seal (up), stop.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word châtham, represented by H2856, is a primitive root meaning to close up, seal, make an end, mark, or stop. It appears 27 times across 24 unique verses in the Bible. Its usage conveys concepts of authentication, security, finality, and concealment, applying to everything from legal documents to divine mysteries.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H2856 is frequently used in official and legal contexts. When Jeremiah purchased a field, he "subscribed the evidence, and sealed it" to finalize the transaction Jeremiah 32:10. Similarly, royal decrees were given irreversible authority by being sealed with the king's ring, as seen in the story of Esther Esther 8:8. The word also carries a strong prophetic weight. Daniel was commanded to "seal the book" until the time of the end, preserving its contents Daniel 12:4. Metaphorically, it can describe exclusivity, as in the Song of Solomon where the bride is a "fountain sealed" Song of Solomon 4:12, or divine judgment, as when Job speaks of his transgression being "sealed up in a bag" Job 14:17.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller picture of the act of sealing and its implications:

  • H2368 chôwthâm (seal, signet): This noun, derived from H2856, is the object or mark of the seal itself. It was used to impart authority, as when Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal 1 Kings 21:8.
  • H2885 ṭabbaʻath (ring): This term refers to the signet ring used to make the impression. Royal edicts were made official when sealed with the king's ring Esther 3:12.
  • H3789 kâthab (to write): This action often precedes sealing. An official document or covenant would first be written and then sealed to authenticate it Nehemiah 9:38.
  • H5640 çâtham (to keep secret, closed up): This word is used in parallel with H2856 to emphasize the concealment of prophetic revelation. Daniel is told that the words are closed up and sealed until the end time Daniel 12:9.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H2856 is profound, touching on themes of divine authority, sovereignty, and fulfillment.

  • Authentication and Authority: Sealing was the ancient equivalent of a binding signature. When leaders in Nehemiah's time made a sure covenant, they seal it to affirm their commitment, making it official and binding Nehemiah 9:38.
  • Preservation and Concealment: God uses sealing to preserve prophetic truth for its appointed time. The command to seal up the vision in Daniel shows that God controls the timing and understanding of His revelation Daniel 12:4.
  • Finality and Fulfillment: The act of sealing can signify a conclusion. The prophecy in Daniel speaks of a time to "make an end of sins" and to "seal up the vision and prophecy," indicating their ultimate fulfillment Daniel 9:24.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The term is used to describe God's absolute power over creation, as when He "sealeth up the stars" Job 9:7, and over humanity, as He "sealeth up the hand of every man" Job 37:7.

Summary

In summary, H2856 is a powerful verb that moves beyond the simple act of closing something. It is a cornerstone concept for understanding authenticity, finality, and preservation in the scriptures. From the legal finality of a sealed deed in Jeremiah to the cosmic authority of God sealing the stars, the word illustrates how a physical action can represent profound legal, prophetic, and theological truths, ultimately pointing to God's sovereign control over his covenants, creation, and redemptive plan.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and a noun across 27 occurrences, inflected in 16 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Participle Passive Singular Masculine Absolute 8×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Qal Participle Passive Plural Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Infinitive Absolute 1×
  • Niphal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Piel Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 1×

+ 4 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 24 verses across 11 books. Most frequent in Job (5 verses).

1
Leviticus
1
Deuteronomy
1
1 Kings
2
Nehemiah
3
Esther
5
Job
1
Song of Solomon
2
Isaiah
4
Jeremiah
1
Ezekiel
3
Daniel

Verse Explorer

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