Quranic root
ختم
kh · t · m
The root centers on reaching the final point of something. From this developed the sense of sealing or imprinting, since a seal is applied at closure, as well as related ideas of securing, closing off, and final outcome.
The semantic development runs from completion or reaching an end to covering and securing something by a seal or impression. The same relation yields the signet, the final member of a succession, and the last portion or result of a thing.
- Maqāyīs · row 1518
- Mufradāt · row 391
- 4
- Quran-attested forms
- 5
- Quran senses
- 8
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
خَتَمَ
khatama
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 5 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To seal or close over a heart or faculty, blocking understanding, response, or access to truth.
Used in Quranic constructions with عَلَى, especially of hearts, hearing, or related faculties. The sealing describes a settled impediment to understanding and turning toward truth, not merely a physical mark.
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Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:7word 1
“Has set a seal”
Quran 45:23word 10
“and He sets a seal”
To seal the mouths, thereby preventing speech.
The Quranic construction خَتْمٌ عَلَى الْأَفْوَاهِ denotes restraint from speaking; it is a specialized application of closing or sealing rather than the sealing of a document.
- Lane · entry 18447
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Selected Quran examples
Quran 36:65word 2
“We will seal”
مَخْتُومٌ
makhtūmun
- Part of speech
- Passive participle
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Sealed, stamped, or closed under a seal.
A passive participle describing something protected or closed by the act of sealing or stamping.
- Lane · entry 18468
Selected Quran examples
Quran 83:25word 4
“sealed”
خَاتَمٌ
khātamun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
The one who brings a prophetic succession to its final point; the last of the prophets.
In خَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ, the noun denotes the final member or completer of the prophetic succession, rather than the physical signet sense of the word.
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Selected Quran examples
Quran 33:40word 11
“and Seal”
خِتَامٌ
khitāmun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
The final portion, end, or last draught of a drink; its concluding taste or result.
In خِتَامُهُ مِسْكٌ, the final part or last experience of the drink is musk-scented or musk-like. The sense concerns the drink's ending, not necessarily a physical seal placed upon it.
- Lane · entry 18456
- Mufradāt · row 391
Selected Quran examples
Quran 83:26word 1
“Its seal”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:7خَتَمَHas set a seal
- 6:46وَخَتَمَand sealed
- 33:40وَخَاتَمَand Seal
- 36:65نَخْتِمُWe will seal
- 42:24يَخْتِمْHe would seal
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 30 Classical meanings
خَتْمٌ
The act of sealing, stamping, or imprinting; also the impression produced by a signet.
Used of writing, books, documents, doors, and other things. Sealing may protect or secure what is inside, and the intensified derived form may denote repeated or emphatic sealing.
- Lane · entry 18447
- Lane · entry 18448
- Lane · entry 18451
خَتَمٌ
A sealed piece of clay or wax placed on a writing or container.
The word can denote the physical sealing piece itself, not only the act or impression of sealing.
- Lane · entry 18452
خِتَامٌ
Clay or wax used for sealing, or the piece of it impressed or sealed onto a writing.
This is the physical material or attached piece associated with sealing a document or thing.
- Lane · entry 18456
خَتَمَ
To turn away from, avoid, or shun someone.
In the idiom خَتَمَ عَلَيْكَ بَابَهُ, sealing one's door against someone expresses refusal of access or avoidance.
- Lane · entry 18447
خَتَمَ
To prefer someone to others.
In خَتَمَ لَكَ بَابَهُ, sealing a door for someone is an idiom for favoring or preferring that person.
- Lane · entry 18447
خَتَمَ
To reach the end of, finish, or complete something.
Used of completing an activity or a recitation, including completing the Quran; it can also imply having the whole recitation memorized. In خَتَمَ اللهُ لَهُ بِخَيْرٍ, it refers idiomatically to making someone's end good.
- Lane · entry 18447
خَتَمَ
In agriculture, to cover sown seed with earth and give it water, especially its first watering.
Used of seed or a sown field; the expression may describe turning earth over the seed and then watering it.
- Lane · entry 18447
خَتَمَ
Of bees, to fill the honey-storage place or seal the openings of the hive with thin wax.
This is a specialized description of bees depositing honey or closing hive orifices.
- Lane · entry 18447
خَتَّمَهُ
To put a signet ring onto another person's finger.
A transitive Form II construction for placing the ring on someone else's finger; it is distinct from the reflexive act of putting on one's own ring.
- Lane · entry 18448
تَخَتَّمَ
To put on or wear a signet ring.
The reflexive Form V construction describes the wearer putting the ring on their own finger.
- Lane · entry 18449
تَخَتَّمَ
To put on a turban, including wrapping it in the manner of a face covering.
A figurative or specialized Form V use, with the turban wrapped as a نقاب.
- Lane · entry 18449
- Lane · entry 18466
تَخَتَّمَ
To conceal one's affair or situation.
Used in the construction تَخَتَّمَ بِأَمْرِهِ.
- Lane · entry 18449
تَخَتَّمَ
To feign heedlessness toward someone and remain silent to them.
A specialized construction with عَنْهُ expressing affected disregard and silence.
- Lane · entry 18449
خَتْمٌ
Sufficiency, or what is enough for a person.
In أَعْطَانِي خَتْمِي, the expression refers to receiving what suffices or fulfills one's demand.
- Lane · entry 18451
خَتْمٌ
Honey.
A specialized, figurative nominal use.
- Lane · entry 18451
خَتْمٌ
The openings or orifices of bee-hives.
A specialized bee-related nominal use, distinct from the verb describing bees filling or sealing those openings.
- Lane · entry 18451
خَتْمَةٌ
A complete recitation of the Quran.
A conventional noun for completing a full Quran recitation.
- Lane · entry 18453
خَتْمَةٌ
A copy of the Quran.
A later or colloquial nominal use distinct from the act of completing a recitation.
- Lane · entry 18453
خِتَامٌ
The first watering of seed-produce or a sown field, including turning earth over the seed and then watering it.
An agricultural nominal use related to covering and completing the preparation of the sown field.
- Lane · entry 18456
خِتَامٌ
The hymen, conceived figuratively as the seal of virginity.
Used in expressions concerning a bride and her seal of virginity.
- Lane · entry 18456
خِتَامٌ
That which completes or perfects something.
In an associated idiom concerning a gift or present, it denotes what renders it complete or appropriately finished.
- Lane · entry 18456
خِتَامٌ
The end, last part, result, or concluding section of a thing.
It may denote the furthest part of a valley, the last member of a company, the final portion of a chapter or Quranic recitation, an epilogue, or the result of an action. The Quranic final-portion sense of a drink is listed separately above.
- Lane · entry 18456
خُتُمٌ
The places of separation between the joints of horses.
A specialized equine anatomical term.
- Lane · entry 18456
خَاتَمٌ
A signet or signet-ring, originally a finger ornament used for sealing or stamping.
It may be a ring with a stone or gem and may later refer to a ring not actually used for sealing.
- Lane · entry 18456
خَاتَمٌ
A seal, stamp, or mark; also the implement or person that applies it.
The word can refer to the sign or impression, the thing placed upon clay or wax, or the agent who seals or stamps.
- Lane · entry 18456
خَاتَمٌ
Of a mare, the lower ring or extremity of the teat.
A specialized equine anatomical use based on comparison with a signet or ring.
- Lane · entry 18456
خَاتَمٌ
The hollow at the back of the neck, the site used for cupping.
A specialized anatomical use.
- Lane · entry 18456
خَاتَمٌ
The slight whiteness near the hoof on a horse's legs.
A specialized equine marking, less extensive than the marking called تَخْدِيمٌ.
- Lane · entry 18456
مُخْتَّمٌ
Of a horse, having the slight white marking called خَاتَمٌ on its legs.
A specialized passive/intensive derived adjective applied to a horse.
- Lane · entry 18467
مَخْتُومٌ
A grain measure, identified either with a صَاع or with one-sixth of a قَفِيز.
A specialized measure noun, unrelated to the passive-participle sense of مَخْتُومٌ.
- Lane · entry 18468
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The physical signet and sealing senses of خَاتَمٌ are distinct from its Quranic use in خَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ, where it denotes the final member or completer of the prophetic succession.
For خِتَامُهُ مِسْكٌ, the artifact follows the end or final-draught interpretation. A physical interpretation involving sealing with musk is reported in the lexical discussion but is not adopted here.