Hebrew Seals and Sealings and Their Significance for Biblical Research

Abstract

Seals have always played an important role in the ancient Near Eastern cultures. The Hebrew seals form part of the multi-branched family of West-Semitic seals which have much in common in script, language and onomasticon, and of which they constitute by far the largest group. Seals figure prominently in biblical narratives and imagery, both functional and metaphoric. The Hebrew seals under discussion comprise actual seals, their impressions on clay bullae, and impressions on pottery jars. The most important group of Hebrew seals are the official seals belonging to functionaries in the royal administration. Three of the finds are of particular interest. One is a seal of the province of Yehud with which the jars were stamped. The other find is a bulla belonging to the governor; and the third is again a seal belonging to Shelomit, maidservant of Elnatan the governor. Keywords: ancient near eastern cultures; biblical narratives; Hebrew seals; royal administration; west-semitic seals