What does חָתַם (ḥātam) mean in the Bible?
Sealing marks or closes something in the setting where the verb appears. A sealed land document in Jeremiah belongs to a witnessed purchase with a preserved record.
Hebrew · H2856
חָתַם
Sealing marks or closes something in the setting where the verb appears. A sealed land document in Jeremiah belongs to a witnessed purchase with a preserved record.
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חָתַםH2856
Pronunciationḥātam
What does חָתַם (ḥātam) mean in the Bible?
Reader summary
Full entry for חָתַם (H2856) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H2856?
The BSB source-word alignment has 27 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and sealed (4), sealed (3), . . . (1), [and] seal (1), and seal (1).
Where does חָתַם (ḥātam) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Leviticus 15:3. Its strongest book concentrations include Job (5), Daniel (4), Esther (4), Jeremiah (4).
What This Word Actually Means
Sealing marks or closes something in the setting where the verb appears. A sealed land document in Jeremiah belongs to a witnessed purchase with a preserved record. Ahab's seal, used by Jezebel, authenticates letters that arrange Naboth's death; official validation does not make their contents righteous. Daniel is told to seal the book within the vision's stated horizon, and Isaiah pictures a sealed book that cannot be read in a rebuke of failed understanding.
The Song's sealed spring belongs to a poem of affection, while Leviticus uses closure language in instructions concerning a bodily discharge. Read the object, action and purpose before making a spiritual comparison. The verb does not make every seal a symbol of salvation, justify keeping harm secret, or assign moral guilt to someone with an illness.
How the Bible Uses It
Purchased documents, murderous letters, prophetic books, a poetic spring and a bodily condition show different purposes for sealing or closing. Their moral force comes from the surrounding account.
- 1Kgs.21.8
Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city.
Jezebel uses Ahab's seal on letters directing Naboth's killing, making official authentication part of wrongdoing.
- Jer.32.10
I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales.
Jeremiah signs and seals a purchase document with witnesses while Jerusalem faces the siege.
- Dan.12.4
But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”
Daniel is told to seal the book until the stated time; the chapter sets its own vision horizon.
- Isa.29.11
And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.”
The sealed book comparison belongs to a rebuke of failed understanding and worship with distant hearts.
- Song.4.12
My sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed.
The sealed spring is a poetic description within the lovers' exchange, rather than permission for controlling another person.
- Lev.15.3
This uncleanness is from his discharge, whether his body allows the discharge to flow or blocks it. So his discharge will bring about uncleanness.
The stopped discharge is part of a bodily-condition rule, without making the person's illness proof of moral guilt.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itand sealed4×Esther 3:12, Esther 8:8, Jeremiah 32:10, Daniel 12:9
sealed3×Song Of Solomon 4:12, Isaiah 29:11, Jeremiah 32:44
. . .1×Job 9:7
[and] seal1×Isaiah 8:16
and seal1×Daniel 12:4
and seal it1×Esther 8:8
and sealed it1×Esther 8:10
and terrifies them1×Job 33:16
blocks it1×Leviticus 15:3
both the sealed copy1×Jeremiah 32:14
He seals up1×Job 37:7
is sealed1×Isaiah 29:11
sealed up1×Deuteronomy 32:34
sealing it with [the names of]1×Nehemiah 9:38
the sealed1×Jeremiah 32:11
these [were the ones] who sealed [the document]1×Nehemiah 10:1
they shut themselves in1×Job 24:16
to put an end1×Daniel 9:24
to seal up1×Daniel 9:24
were the seal1×Ezekiel 28:12
with his seal1×1 Kings 21:8
would be sealed1×Job 14:17
Show sample aligned rows
Leviticus 15:3הֶחְתִּ֤יםtoblocks itVerb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singularDeuteronomy 32:34חָתֻ֖םtosealed upVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular1 Kings 21:8וַתַּחְתֹּ֖םtowith his sealConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularNehemiah 9:38הֶֽחָת֔וּםtosealing it with [the names of]Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singularNehemiah 10:1הַחֲתוּמִ֑יםtothese [were the ones] who sealed [the document]Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine pluralEsther 3:12וְנֶחְתָּ֖םtoand sealedConjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singularEsther 8:8וְחִתְמ֖וּtoand seal itConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine pluralEsther 8:8וְנַחְתּ֛וֹםtoand sealedConjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absoluteEsther 8:10וַיַּחְתֹּ֖םtoand sealed itConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularJob 9:7יַחְתֹּֽם׃to. . .Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowLeviticus 15:3
Aligned rows27
Books represented11
Leviticus1Deuteronomy11 Kings1Nehemiah2Esther4Job5Song Of Solomon1Isaiah3Jeremiah4Ezekiel1Daniel4
Source forms
יַחְתֹּֽם׃2xyaḥ·tōmJob 9:7, Job 33:16
הֶֽחָת֔וּם1xhe·ḥā·ṯūmNehemiah 9:38
הֶֽחָתוּם֒1xhe·ḥā·ṯūmIsaiah 29:11
הֶֽחָת֛וּם1xhe·ḥā·ṯūmJeremiah 32:11
הֶחָת֗וּם1xhe·ḥā·ṯūmJeremiah 32:14
הַחֲתוּמִ֑ים1xha·ḥă·ṯū·mîmNehemiah 10:1
הֶחְתִּ֤ים1xheḥ·tîmLeviticus 15:3
וָֽאֶחְתֹּ֔ם1xwā·’eḥ·tōmJeremiah 32:10
Parsing patterns
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular4xNehemiah 9:38, Isaiah 29:11, Jeremiah 32:11, Jeremiah 32:14
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular4xDeuteronomy 32:34, Job 14:17, Song Of Solomon 4:12, Isaiah 29:11
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular3xJob 9:7, Job 33:16, Job 37:7
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural1xNehemiah 10:1
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute1xEsther 8:8
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular1xEsther 3:12
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular1xJeremiah 32:10
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular1x1 Kings 21:8
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Review the justice of an official instruction even when its authorization is formally valid.
- Never use sacred secrecy language to obstruct protection or responsible examination of reported harm.
Avoid claiming...
- Every seal in Scripture cannot be assigned the meaning of the Spirit's sealing in Ephesians.
- A poetic sealed spring cannot confer ownership of a partner or require forced disclosure.
Evidence Summary
Revelation
Hebrew word. Sealing as closure that authenticates, protects, and finalizes—moving from physical to covenantal significance.
Strong'sH2856
Lexical occurrences27 versesWord forms3 forms11 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkIsaiah 29:9-16Source Gloss
to close up; especially to seal
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Sealing as closure that authenticates, protects, and finalizes—moving from physical to covenantal significance.
to close up; especially to seal BDB: seal Usage: make an end, mark, seal (up), stop.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups3Aligned forms11
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense9×
Participle passiveDeut 32:34 · Isa 29:11 · Job 14:17 · Song 4:124×
ImperfectJob 9:7 · Job 33:16 · Job 37:73×
Participle activeEzek 28:121×
Sequential imperfectIsa 8:161×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action1×
PerfectJob 24:161×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action1×
PerfectLev 15:31×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
To close or seal shut.
Showing 1 selected witness from 27 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
חָתַם is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
Illustrates inaccessible revelation due to blindness.Isaiah 29:9-16
Canonical Themes
Revelation
For the Preacher and Teacher
A seal can serve a truthful transaction or an abuse of power. Jeremiah's purchase includes witnesses and the careful keeping of its documents, while Jezebel uses royal authority to arrange false accusation and Naboth's death. The shared action does not give the letters moral legitimacy. Daniel's sealed book and Isaiah's unreadable-book comparison belong to different prophetic settings and should retain their stated horizons and purposes.
The Song uses a sealed spring within intimate poetry, not a rule permitting someone to possess or isolate a partner. Leviticus supplies still another setting through bodily closure language. Teach the concrete referents before extending an illustration. Confidentiality can protect people, but suppressing harm is not made holy by calling it sealed. Nor does a closure term authorize a preacher to equate a medical condition with personal sin.
Anchor passage
Jer.32.10
Doctrinal connections
- Jeremiah's witnessed purchase retains a concrete act of trust within the coming loss of the city.
- The royal seal in Naboth's account remains accountable to the injustice carried by its letters.
- Daniel's instruction preserves the vision's stated timing instead of supplying a teacher's private schedule.
- Isaiah's book comparison addresses failed understanding alongside worship that is distant from God.
- The Song's poetic spring belongs to affection and cannot establish control over another person.
- Leviticus distinguishes a bodily condition within ritual instructions rather than identifying moral blame.
The licensed seal and closure range requires the actual object and construction. Twenty-seven directly tagged BSB tokens in twenty-four verses are separate evidence from the retained canonical count of twenty-seven; no derived symbolism replaces lexical identity.
From Old to New Testament
Ephesians 1:3-14 speaks of believers being sealed with the promised Holy Spirit in its account of redemption, inheritance and praise. Read Paul's stated agent and promise; this later canonical seal image does not turn every Hebrew sealing event into a salvation symbol or legitimize a royal order.