(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to עָזַק; a signet-ring (as engraved); signet.
Transliteration:ʻizqâʼ
Pronunciation:iz-kaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term `{{H5824}}`, transliterated as ʻizqâʼ, denotes a "signet-ring" or "signet." Its etymological root is linked to the Hebrew עָזַק (ʻazaq), which carries the sense of "to dig" or "to engrave." This connection is crucial, as the defining characteristic of a signet ring is its engraved surface, designed to create an impression in wax or clay. Therefore, the core meaning of `{{H5824}}` is not merely an ornamental ring, but an instrument of authentication, validation, and authority, through which an official mark or seal is made. The semantic range is tightly focused on this function of imprinting and sealing, signifying ownership, decree, and security.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H5824}}` appears only once in the biblical text, specifically in the Book of Daniel.
* **[[Daniel 6:17]]**: "A stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing could be changed concerning Daniel."
In this singular occurrence, the context is highly significant. King Darius seals the stone over the lions' den with his own signet ring (`{{H5824}}`) and those of his nobles. This action serves several critical purposes:
1. **Authentication**: It verifies that the king himself has sanctioned the sealing, lending ultimate authority to the act.
2. **Irrevocability**: The act of sealing, especially with multiple signets, signifies that the decree is fixed and unchangeable. No one can tamper with the situation without breaking the royal seal, an act of high treason.
3. **Security**: The seal ensures that Daniel cannot be secretly released or harmed by others without the king's knowledge.
The use of `{{H5824}}` here vividly illustrates its role as a powerful symbol of royal decree, legal validity, and unalterable judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept embodied by `{{H5824}}` is deeply interwoven with a broader biblical understanding of sealing and authority.
* **`{{H2368}}` (ḥōṯām)**: This is the most direct Hebrew equivalent, meaning "seal" or "signet ring." It appears frequently, often in contexts of legal transactions, authentication, and divine ownership (e.g., [[Genesis 38:18]], [[Exodus 28:11]], [[Jeremiah 32:44]]).
* **`{{H2856}}` (ḥātam)**: The verbal form meaning "to seal" or "to affix a seal." This verb describes the action performed by the signet ring, emphasizing the completion and ratification of a document or decree.
* **`{{G4972}}` (sphragis)**: The Greek equivalent for "seal" or "signet," which carries over the same connotations of ownership, security, and authentication in the New Testament (e.g., [[Romans 4:11]], [[Ephesians 1:13]]).
* **Authority and Decree**: The signet ring is consistently associated with supreme authority, whether royal (Pharaoh giving Joseph his ring, [[Genesis 41:42]]; Ahasuerus giving Esther his ring, [[Esther 8:8]]) or divine.
* **Ownership and Security**: A seal marks something as belonging to a particular individual or entity, and often implies protection or preservation.
* **Divine Imprint**: The very act of imprinting suggests a transfer of identity or essence, making the sealed object or person bear the mark of the one who sealed it.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H5824}}` itself appears in a single historical narrative, its function as a signet ring carries profound theological resonance throughout Scripture.
1. **Divine Authority and Decree**: Just as a king's signet makes his decree unchangeable, so God's Word and decrees are immutable and absolute. His plans cannot be thwarted, and His promises are secure. The sealing of the lions' den highlights the unchangeable nature of a royal decree, mirroring the unchangeable nature of God's sovereign will.
2. **God's Ownership and Security**: The concept of God "sealing" His people is a recurring theological theme. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described as the "seal" of our inheritance ([[Ephesians 1:13]], [[2 Corinthians 1:22]]), signifying God's ownership of believers, His authentication of their faith, and the guarantee of their future redemption. This divine seal provides ultimate security against spiritual adversaries.
3. **Authentication of Christ**: Jesus Christ is presented as bearing the very "seal" of God the Father, demonstrating His divine authority and identity ([[John 6:27]]). He is the exact imprint of God's nature ([[Hebrews 1:3]]), the ultimate "signet" that reveals God's character and will.
4. **Delegated Authority**: The giving of a signet ring often symbolized the delegation of authority (e.g., Joseph, Mordecai). Theologically, believers are given authority in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to act as His representatives in the world.
### Summary
The Aramaic word `{{H5824}}` (ʻizqâʼ) refers to a "signet-ring," an instrument whose core function is to create an engraved impression for authentication and sealing. Its singular biblical occurrence in [[Daniel 6:17]] powerfully illustrates its role in signifying royal authority, the irrevocability of a decree, and the security of a sealed object. This concept extends into broader biblical theology, where the act of sealing, often symbolized by the signet, represents divine ownership, the unchangeable nature of God's decrees, the security of His promises to His people, and the authentication of His Son, Jesus Christ. Thus, `{{H5824}}`, though rare, points to profound truths about divine sovereignty, security, and identity.
TRV