עִזְקָא
𐤏𐤆𐤒𐤀
ʻizqâʼ
H5824 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A signet ring or seal, often worn on the finger and used to impress an identifying mark or emblem into clay or wax, signifying authority, authenticity, or ownership; in official contexts, such a seal would validate documents or mark possessions. The term is attested as an Aramaic loanword within the Hebrew Bible, and its referent is the engraved metal or stone article itself used for sealing, rather than a generic seal impression.
Semantic Range
signet ring, signet seal, engraved ring used for impressing a seal
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Aramaic root (corresponding to Hebrew עזק), whose core meaning is 'to bind, enclose, or compress.' The noun עִזְקָא is specifically an Aramaic form denoting an object used to impress a seal—typically a signet ring rather than a stamp seal or cylinder seal common elsewhere in the ancient Near East.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עִזְקָא is a hapax legomenon in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only in Daniel 6:18 (Aramaic section), where it refers to the signet ring(s) used in sealing the stone over the den of lions. The use of an Aramaic term in Daniel reflects the official and imperial context of the Persian court. Signets were essential for authenticating decrees and securing property or spaces, and the ring form suggests personal wear and signification of high status. Unlike Hebrew חותם (ḥotam; seal, signet), עִזְקָא appears only in the Aramaic portion of Daniel and is representative of administrative terminology under foreign rule. Later English translations often use 'signet' or 'signet ring,' but may not capture the full administrative and juridical significance of the object in Persian or Aramaic contexts. The object is distinct from wax or clay impressions: it is the engraved device itself.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to עָזַק; a signet-ring (as engraved); signet.
Bantu Hebrew
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עזק (ʿ-z-q) — bind, enclose, compress
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5824-02 |
וּ/בְ/עִזְקָת֙ | uveizeqat | AC/R/Ncfsc |
and-with-signet-ring | and with signet-ring of | 1 |
H5824-01 |
בְּ/עִזְקְתֵ֗/הּ | beizeqeteh | AR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
with-signet-ring-his-own | with his signet-ring | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5824-01 |
Daniel 6:18 | בְּ/עִזְקְתֵ֗/הּ | beizeqeteh | AR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
with-signet-ring-his-own | with his signet-ring |
H5824-02 |
Daniel 6:18 | וּ/בְ/עִזְקָת֙ | uveizeqat | AC/R/Ncfsc |
and-with-signet-ring | and with signet-ring of |