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Marilyn Kelly-Buccellati

1996

“Seals in Ancient Mesopotamia and Seals of God in Revelation,”
Rivista della Facoltà di Teologia di Lugano 1, pp. 79-100.
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     In this paper, the author presents specimens of seals from the fourth, the third and the second millennium BC, discussing their original function and purposes (mostly to guarantee the identity of a person within letters of legal transactions).
     The understanding of ancient function of seals can also be applied to clarify the mention of seals in various Bible's books, sech as e.g. in the Book of Revelation the 'Book of Revelation' (Rev. 7), where the author interprets the seals as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
     After a first introduction about the use of seals in ancient times (mostly focusing on Urkesh glyptics), the author moves to take advantage of this knowledge in interpreting seal imagery applied to Christ and the Holy Spirit.

[M. De Pietri – November 2019]