Seals Could Be Used to Delegate Authority

Seals could be given to another person, thus giving him the owner’s authority. An example involves a Pharaoh of ancient Egypt and the Hebrew man Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob. Joseph had been a slave in Egypt. Later, he was unjustly imprisoned. In time, though, Pharaoh released him and elevated him to the position of prime minister. The Bible says: “Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his own hand and put it on Joseph’s hand.” (Genesis 41:42) Because the signet ring had an official seal, Joseph now had the authority to carry out his important work.

The Persian King Ahasuerus used a signet ring to authenticate his official orders.—Esther 3:10, 12.

The Bible writer Nehemiah states that Israelite princes, Levites, and priests showed their approval of a written covenant by applying their seals to it.—Nehemiah 1:1; 9:38.

The Bible mentions two occasions when seals were used to secure entrances. When the prophet Daniel was thrown into the lions’ pit, “a stone was brought and placed over the entrance of the pit.” Then, King Darius, ruler of Media and Persia, “sealed it with his signet ring and with the signet ring of his nobles, so that nothing could be changed with regard to Daniel.”—Daniel 6:17.