Topical Encyclopedia
A "roll scroll" refers to an ancient form of a book, consisting of a long strip of papyrus, parchment, or vellum that is rolled up for storage and unrolled for reading. This format was prevalent in biblical times and is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures. The roll scroll was the primary medium for recording and preserving the sacred texts of the Old Testament, as well as other important documents.
Biblical ReferencesThe use of roll scrolls is evident in several passages throughout the Bible. In
Jeremiah 36, the prophet Jeremiah is instructed by God to write down all the words spoken to him on a scroll. "Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the other nations from the time I began speaking to you in the reign of Josiah until now" (
Jeremiah 36:2). This passage highlights the importance of the scroll as a means of preserving divine revelation.
In
Ezekiel 2:9-10, the prophet Ezekiel describes a vision in which he sees a scroll: "Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and in it was a scroll, which He unrolled before me. And on both sides of it were written words of lamentation, mourning, and woe" . This imagery underscores the scroll's role as a bearer of God's messages, often containing warnings or judgments.
The New Testament also makes reference to scrolls. In
Luke 4:17, Jesus reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue: "The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it is written" . This event signifies the fulfillment of prophecy and the authority of Jesus as the Messiah.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the ancient Near East, scrolls were the standard format for written documents. They were typically made by joining sheets of papyrus or parchment end to end and rolling them around a stick. The text was usually written in columns, and the scroll was unrolled horizontally as it was read. This format was practical for lengthy texts and allowed for easy storage and transport.
The transition from scrolls to codices (books with pages) began in the early Christian era, but scrolls remained in use for several centuries. The codex format eventually became more popular due to its convenience and durability, leading to the decline of the scroll.
Symbolism and SignificanceIn biblical literature, scrolls often symbolize the written word of God and His covenant with His people. They serve as tangible representations of divine communication and authority. The act of unrolling a scroll to read from it is frequently associated with the revelation of God's will and the proclamation of His truth.
The imagery of the scroll is also present in apocalyptic literature, such as the book of Revelation. In
Revelation 5:1-2, John describes a scroll with seven seals: "Then I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?'" . This scene emphasizes the scroll's role in unveiling divine mysteries and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
ConclusionThe roll scroll is a significant artifact in biblical history, serving as a vessel for the transmission of God's word and a symbol of His covenant with humanity. Its presence in Scripture highlights the importance of written revelation and the enduring impact of God's messages throughout the ages.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Roll ScrollROLL (SCROLL)
rol: The usual form of book in Biblical times. It had been in use in Egypt for perhaps 2,000 years at the time when, according to the Pentateuch, the earliest Biblical books were written in this form. The Babylonian tablet seems to have been the prevailing form in Palestine up to about 1350 B.C., but by 1100 B.C., at least, the roll had been in established use for some time as far North as Byblos. Two Hebrew words, gillayon, meghillah, one Aramaic, cephar, and one Greek word, biblion, are so translated in the King James Version. Cephar (Ezra 6:1, the Revised Version (British and American) "archives, margin "books"), with the corresponding Hebrew form cepher, is the generic word for any whole work large or small, but as a book form (Isaiah 34:4) it may mean "roll," and, according to Blau (pp. 37, 45, etc.), it never does mean anything else. Both the other words seem to be connected with galal, "roll," which is the technical term for opening or closing a book. The meghillath cepher (Jeremiah 36:2) means the unwritten roll, or the roll considered in its material form as contrasted with the work. Meghillah, which is found inEzra 6:2 (English Versions of the Bible, "roll"), Jeremiah (often), Ezekiel (often) and Zechariah, is a somewhat late word, and came to mean a small roll (but with a complete work) as distinguished from a book, corresponding thus to the modern distinction of pamphlet and book or document and book. The word gillayon is translated in the Revised Version (British and American) as "tablet," and is universally regarded as meaning (Isaiah 8:1) some smooth surface, corresponding to the same word inIsaiah 3:23 which is rendered "hand-mirror." But "cylinder-seal" would possibly fit the sense in both cases; this being hung round the neck as an ornament in one case and inscribed with a personal name in the other.
Biblion is regarded by the Bible translators as equivalent to meghillah in the sense of small roll. It is in fact 4 times in the Septuagint ofJeremiah 36 used as the translation for meghillah, but very much oftener it is the translation for cepher, for which in fact it is the correct technical equivalent (Birt, Buchrolle, 21). Indeed the "small book" (Thayer, Lexicon, 101) is hardly consistent with the ideas of the heavens as a scroll, of the Lamb's Book of Life, or of the vast quantity of books ofJohn 21:25, although inLuke 4:17 it may perhaps correspond closely with meghillah in the sense of a complete roll and work, which is at the same time a whole part of a larger work. Its use inRevelation 6:14 is reminiscent ofIsaiah 34:4 ("scroll"), and is conclusive for the roll form. It is indeed always technically a roll and never codex or tablet.
It is not likely that Isaiah and John (here and in his Gospel, 21:25) refer directly to the Babylonian idea that the heavens are a series of written tablets or to the rabbinic saying that "if all the oceans were ink, all reeds pens, the heavens and earth sheets to write upon, and all men writers, still it would not suffice for writing out the teachings of my Masters" (Blau, op. cit., 34). Nevertheless, the "whole Cosmos" does suggest "the heavens and earth" as sheets to write on, and under all there does perhaps lurk a conception of the broad expanse of heaven as a roll for writing upon.
LITERATURE.
Birt, Die Buchrolle in der Kunst, Leipzig, 1907; Jew Encyclopedia, XI, 126-34, "Scroll of the Law"; Blau, Studien z. althebr. Buchwesen, Strassburg, 1902, 37-66, etc., and the literature under the article "Writing," especially Gardthausen, 134-54.
E. C. Richardson
Greek
4428. ptusso -- to fold, ieroll up... up. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ptusso Phonetic Spelling: (ptoos'-so)
Short Definition: I fold,
roll up Definition: I fold,
roll up (as a
scroll).
...976. biblos -- (the inner) bark (of a papyrus plant), hence a...
... hence ascroll, spec. a book. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: biblos
Phonetic Spelling: (bib'-los) Short Definition: a written book,roll, or...
2777. kephalis -- a little head, aroll
... a book). Word Origin dim. of kephale Definition a little head, aroll NASB
Word Usagescroll (1). volume,roll of a book. From kephale...
975. biblion -- a paper, book
... book,scroll, writing. A diminutive of biblos; aroll -- bill, book,scroll, writing.
see GREEK biblos. (biblia) -- 3 Occurrences. (bibliois) -- 1 Occurrence....
380. anaptusso -- to unroll
... I unroll,roll back, unfold. Word Origin another reading for anoigo, qv. to unroll
From ana (in the sense of reversal) and ptusso; to unroll (ascroll or volume...
Strong's Hebrew
4039. megillah -- ascroll... Word Origin from galal Definition a
scroll NASB Word Usage
scroll (18),
scroll*
(3).
roll, volume. From galal; a
roll --
roll, volume. see HEBREW galal.
...4040. megillah -- ascroll
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to megillah Definition ascroll NASB Word Usage
scroll (1).roll. (Aramaic) corresponding to mgillah --roll....
Library
Athor, the Golden
... the young sculptor had gazed, the old servant nervously undid theroll, and showed...
I doubt much, if the messenger with the otherscroll hath passed Memphis yet...
The Friend of Sinners
... goes forth into the world and is numbered with transgressors in thescroll of fame....
Judge, shows that he too considers him to be in theroll of transgressors...
Unfailing Stabs and Fainting Men
... a creative energy that set the universe in motion, and leaves it toroll or spin...
and look down upon the stars that are 'rolled together as ascroll,' we shall...
Expatriation
... table and, fumbling about the compartments under it, drew forth a wrapped and addressed
roll.... After a silence, he took up thescroll and made as if to return...
The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... She had aroll of wool fastened at her right hip and she held in her hands... Ascroll
lay on this table, which the Blessed Virgin unrolled and hung up on the wall...
Some Other Writers of the New Testament
... [Illustration: (drop cap L) Ancient engraving of man readingscroll]... [Illustration:
VERY ANCIENT FRAGMENT OF A PAPYRUSROLL, WITH PORTIONS OF THREE PSALMS...
Note on the Jewish Synagogue.
... At one end of the synagogue was an "ark" or receptacle where theroll of the... The
Law from which they read was a veritable Hebrewscroll, secured from a Rabbi...
It is Well with My Soul. PM
... peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows, like sea-billows,roll; Whatever
my... faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as ascroll, The trump...
"The Pharaoh Drew Nigh"
... Kenkenes took thescroll thrust toward him, and ripped off the linen wrapping.... The
roll of papyrus, with its seals, still in the young man's hands, was...
David's Dying Prayer
... the ocean"the prayer of a mighty king, when he saw thescroll of prophecy... We look
on nations that are almost too debased lo be included in theroll of mankind...
Resources
How can we commit our work to the Lord and have our plans established (Proverbs 16:3)? | GotQuestions.orgAre we supposed to let go and let God? | GotQuestions.orgDid God create the universe? | GotQuestions.orgRoll: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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