Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of "papers" as we understand it today did not exist. However, the use of writing materials and documents is evident throughout the Scriptures. The Bible references various forms of writing materials, such as scrolls, tablets, and letters, which served purposes similar to modern-day papers.
Scrolls and Writing MaterialsThe most common form of writing material in biblical times was the scroll. Scrolls were typically made from papyrus or parchment. Papyrus, made from the papyrus plant, was a common writing material in Egypt and the surrounding regions. Parchment, made from animal skins, was more durable and used for important documents and religious texts.
In the Old Testament, scrolls were used to record the Law, prophecies, and historical accounts. For example, the prophet Jeremiah was instructed to write on a scroll all the words spoken to him by the Lord: "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—during the reign of Josiah—until now" (
Jeremiah 36:2).
TabletsBefore the widespread use of scrolls, tablets were used for writing. These could be made of clay, stone, or wood coated with wax. The Ten Commandments were famously inscribed by the finger of God on stone tablets: "The LORD gave me the two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God. On them were all the commandments the LORD proclaimed to you on the mountain out of the fire, on the day of the assembly" (
Deuteronomy 9:10).
Letters and EpistlesIn the New Testament, letters (epistles) became a significant form of communication, particularly among the early Christian communities. The Apostle Paul and other apostles wrote letters to churches and individuals to instruct, encourage, and correct. These letters were often written on papyrus and delivered by trusted messengers. For instance, Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people" (
1 Corinthians 5:9).
Symbolism and SignificanceThe use of writing materials in the Bible often carries symbolic significance. The act of writing God's words on scrolls or tablets signifies the permanence and authority of His commandments and promises. In the New Testament, the written word becomes a means of spreading the Gospel and establishing the teachings of Christ among the early churches.
The Bible itself, as a collection of sacred texts, underscores the importance of written records in preserving divine revelation and guiding the faithful. The Apostle John emphasizes the purpose of his writings: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name" (
John 20:31).
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not mention "papers" explicitly, the use of various writing materials throughout Scripture highlights the importance of written communication in conveying God's word and instructions to His people. The preservation of these writings has been instrumental in the transmission of the biblical message across generations.
Library
New Evangelism and otherPapers
New Evangelism and otherPapers. <. New Evangelism and otherPapers Louis
Berkhof. Table of Contents. Title Page. The New Evangelism....
The Hymns of Wesley and Watts: FivePapers
The Hymns of Wesley and Watts: FivePapers. <. The Hymns of Wesley and Watts:
FivePapers Bernard L. Manning. Table of Contents. Title Page. FOREWORD....
The Hymns of Wesley and Watts: FivePapers
The Hymns of Wesley and Watts: FivePapers. <.... Title Page. The Hymns
of Wesley and Watts: FivePapers Bernard L. Manning...
New Evangelism and otherPapers
New Evangelism and otherPapers. <....
The New Evangelism
New Evangelism and otherPapers. <.... The New Evangelism. and other
Papers by HENRY DRUMMOND, Author of "Natural Law in...
Home and the Home-Maker.
... said to me, "We did not get our mail to-day, I miss my reading." Knowing the man
we were surprised at such a remark, and ventured to ask him whatpapers he took...
Connecticut at the Close of the Revolution
... writings: and will conversely handsomely on the subjects of which they treat."
[171] "By means of the general circulation of the publicpapers," wrote the same...
Let us understand what was the wrong...
... I suppose you mean that thepapers being uncorrected and not having undergone
a final revising were more easily falsified by Eusebius....
Chapter three
... "But it's unheard of. All the otherpapers will print it.... What do you mean by selling
oldpapers?". "Oldpapers nuthin'!" replied the boy indignantly....
What Nonsense is this Out of which they Fabricate a Charge against...
... He had given me somepapers about church affairs to get copied; and the story describes
a trick practised by the Apollinarians who borrowed one of these, a...
Thesaurus
Papers (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Papers (3 Occurrences). 2 Timothy 4:13 The coat
which I did not take from Troas and which is with Carpus
...File (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) An orderly collection ofpapers, arranged in sequence or classified for
preservation and reference; as, files of letters or of newspapers; this mail...
Mail (11 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To arm with mail. 9. (vt) To pinion. 10. (n.) A bag; a wallet. 11. (n.)
The bag or bags with the letters,papers,papers, or other matter contained...
Secretary (34 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A person employed to write orders, letters, dispatches, public or private
papers, records, and the like; an official scribe, amanuensis, or writer; one...
Paphos (2 Occurrences)
Architecture
... 8 from Kerr Berim; Studies in Galilee, chapter vi; Memoirs of the Survey of Western
Palestine, specialpapers, 294).... (SWP, specialpapers, 299)....
Witnessed (21 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 32:44 Men will get fields for money, and put the business in writing, stamping
thepapers and having them witnessed, in the land of Benjamin and in...
Town (861 Occurrences)
... had quieted the multitude." Cremer defines the word as signifying a "public servant
among the Greeks and the reader of the legal and state-papers" (Lexicon of...
Tumble (1 Occurrence)
... move in a rough, coarse, or unceremonious manner; to throw down or headlong; to
precipitate; -- sometimes with over, about, etc.; as, to tumble books orpapers...
Record (71 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) An official contemporaneous memorandum stating the proceedings of a court
of justice; a judicial record. 10. (n.) The various legalpapers used in a...
Resources
The Jesus Papers - what are they? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Albertus Magnus? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Polycarp? | GotQuestions.orgPapers: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
