חֹתָם (cho.tam)
cho.tam
signet
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
A signet ring was more than jewelry; it was the visible mark of authority and identity. In ancient times, pressing a ring into soft clay created an unbreakable record of ownership or agreement. When Scripture uses this image, it speaks of something deeply personal and securely held by God.
For your faith, this means you are known intimately. Just as a king’s seal authenticated his decrees, God’s mark on your life confirms His love and purpose. You do not need to prove your worth through performance; you are already set apart and cherished by the One who holds the final authority.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a seal7×
- like <the>/ seal2×
- with/ seal/ his1×
- seal/ your1×
- like <the>/ signet-ring1×
- a signet-ring1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חוֹתָ֔ם2×
- כַּֽ/חוֹתָם֙1×
- כַּֽ/חוֹתָ֑ם1×
- כַֽ/חוֹתָ֜ם1×
- חוֹתָם֙1×
- חוֹתָ֖ם1×
- חוֹתָ֑ם1×
- חֹתָם֙1×
- חֹתָֽמְ/ךָ֙1×
- חֹתָ֗ם1×
- חֹתָ֔ם1×
- בְּ/חֹתָמ֑/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 8:6
Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of Yah.
This verse uses the signet as a metaphor for love that is permanent, unbreakable, and deeply personal, placed directly on the heart.
-
Haggai 2:23
In that day, says Yahweh of Armies, I will take you, Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says Yahweh, ‘and will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ says Yahweh of Armies.”
God promises to make Zerubbabel like a signet ring, indicating that He chooses and sets apart specific individuals for His secure purpose.
-
Jeremiah 22:24
“As I live,” says Yahweh, “though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet on my right hand, I would still pluck you from there.
Even if Coniah were God’s signet ring, showing the highest level of closeness, God declares He would still remove him due to rebellion.