"The royal seal or signet used by the Chaldean and Assyrian kings was in the form of a small cylinder, having figures and characters engraved in the surface. This cylinder when rolled upon wax or other plastic substance left the king's name and emblems set in relief upon the material used in sealing."

The Seal of Ilgi

"The royal seal or signet used by the Chaldean and Assyrian kings was in the form of a small cylinder,…

"A signet ring has a square revolving bezel on which are four serpents interlaced." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Signet Ring

"A signet ring has a square revolving bezel on which are four serpents interlaced." —The Encyclopedia…

Serious American students of theology and divinity, particularly in New England, regarded Hebrew as a classical language, along with Greek and Latin, and essential for study of the Old Testament in the original words. The Reverend Ezra Stiles, president of the College from 1778 to 1795, brought with him his interest in the Hebrew language as a vehicle for studying ancient Biblical texts in their original language (as was common in other schools), requiring all freshmen to study Hebrew (in contrast to Harvard, where only upperclassmen were required to study the language) and is responsible for the Hebrew words "Urim" and "Thummim" on the Yale seal.

Seal of Yale University

Serious American students of theology and divinity, particularly in New England, regarded Hebrew as…