SEA, BRAZEN (se, bra' z'n), (I Kings vii:23-44; Jer. iii:17), molten (2 Kings X XV :13; 2 Chron. iv:2), the great laver in Solomon's temple. (See SEA, MOLTEN.) SEAH (se'a), (Heb. seh-aso% measure), a Hebrew measure, containing about two gallons and a half, liquid measure; or about a peck and one pint dry measure (Gen. xviii:6; t Sam. xxv:i8; Kings xviii:32; 2 Kings vii:1, 16, 18), A. V. "measure." (See WEIGHTS and MEASURES.) SEAL (sel), (Heb. kho-thawm' ; Gr. uOpayts, sfrag-ece').
There seem to have been two kinds of seals in use among the Hebrews. A notion appears to exist that all ancient seals, being signets, were rings, intended to be worn on the hand. But this was by no means the case; nor is it so now in the East, where signet rings are still, probably, as common as they ever were in ancient times. Their general use of seals was very different from ours, as they were employed not for the purpose of impressing a device on wax, but in the place of a sign manual, to stamp the name of the owner upon any document to which he desired to affix it. The name thus impressed had the same .legal validity as the actual signature, as is still the case in the East. This custom was ancient, and, no doubt, existed among the Hebrews (Gen. xxxviii:18; Cant. viii:6; Haggai ii:23). These seals are often entirely of metal—brass, silver, or gold; but sometimes of stone set in metal.
If a door or box was to be sealed, it was first fastened with some ligament, over which was placed some well compacted clay to receive the impression of the seal. Clay was used be cause it hardens in the heat %vhich would dissolve wax ; and this is the reason that wax is not used in the East. There are distinct allusions to this custom in Job xxxviii :14; also in Cant. iv:12. In sealing the sepulcher (Matt xxvii:66) it is probable that the fastening of the stone which secured the en trance was covered with clay or wax, and so im pressed with a public or private seal that any vio lation of it would be discovered at once.
Signet rings were very common, especially among persons of rank. They were sometimes wholly of metal, but often the inscription was borne by a stone set in silver or gold. The im pression from the signet ring of a monarch gave the force of a royal decree to any instrument to which it was affixed. Hence the delivery or transfer of it to any one gave the power of using the royal name, and created the highest office in the state (Gen. xli :42; Esth. :To, 72 ; Viii :2 ; Jer. xxii:24; Dan. vi 13, 17; comp. I Kings xxi:8). Rings being so much employed as seals, were called tabbaoth; which is derived from a root signifying to imprint, and also to seal. They were commonly worn as ornaments on the fingers— usually on the little finger of the right hand (Exod. xxxv :22; Luke XV :22 ; James i :2).
Modern travelers have described the seal used in the East, at the present day, as made of cor nelian or agate, with the name or title of the writer, or some verse of the Koran or other mot to, engraved upon it (2 Tim. ii:19). It is fast ened into a ring and worn on the hand (Cant. viii :6). When used it is either applied to the Nvax or is covered with some substance which. be ing stamped on the paper, leaves the desired im pression.
Figurative. (1) In Cant. viii:6 is the prayer
"Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm," implying approaching absence of the bridegroom, and that she wished that her impres sion may be graven on his arm and heart, i. e., his love and poker. (2) The meaning of the figura tive expression, "I will make thee—Zerubbabel as a signet" (seal ring, Hag. ii :23), is evident from the importance of the signet ring in the eyes of an Oriental, who is accustomed to carry it con tinually with him, and to take care of it as a very valuable possession; also in the same sense when Jehovah says, "Though Coniah (i. c., Jehoiakim) were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee hence" (Jer. xxii :24). (3) God's Spirit is called a seal, because by the gracious in habitation and influence of it, men arc marked out for God's property, are distinguished from the world (Eph. i:13; iv:3o; 2 Cor. i :22). (4) God's sealing of Christ, imports his giving him a special commission as Mediator; his furnishing him for his work, and rendering his ministry effectual on the saints (John vi:27). (5) God's sealing of his people, denotes his marking them with his Spirit and grace; his causing them to avow his truth; and his preservation of them amidst the general abounding of error and per secution (Rev. vii :3-8 and ix:4). (6) The founda tion of God having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that arc his, denotes that the church, the fundamental truths of the gospel, the gracious state and principal dispositions of his people, are rendered stable, firm, and lasting (2 Tim. ii :to). (7) The sealing of God's book of purposes with seven seals, imports the deep obscurity and secrecy of its contents, till discovered by Christ, and grad ually opened, in the course of his providence, to the church (Rev. v, vi, and viii :1). (See REV ELATION, BOOK OF.) (8) God seals instruction, when he deeply imprints it on the mind (Job xxxiii:16). (9) He seals up transgressions as in a bag, when he appears firmly determined to punish them, and every one of them (Job xiv :17). (to) He seals up the hand, when he deprives men of power and opportunity for labor (Job xxxvii :7). (It) He seals up the stars, when he hides them with clouds (Job ix :7). (12) The saints set to their seal that God is true, when they believe his promises, and receive his offered gifts (John iii:33). (13) Circumcision was a seal of the righteousness of faith; it and other sacraments confirm the saints' interest in Christ, and strengthen their faith to believe on, receive, and manifest him (Rom. iv :10. (14) The Cor inthian converts were the seal of Paul's apostle ship in the Lord; the exertion of the power of God in the change of their state and nature, by means of his ministrations of the gospel, clearly evinced that he had a true mission from God (1 Cor. ix:2). (15) Satan is sealed up during the millennium ; he is. by the providence of God, re strained from tempting and ruling over men as he did before (Rev. xx :3). (i6) The seals upon the "foundation of God" (2 Tim. ii :to) are sup posed to lie inscriptions upon the mystical building of the faithful, proper to be impressed upon the minds of all professing Christians, both for en couragement and for warning.