Roll (scroll)
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Roll (scroll) in the Bible?
The scroll functioned as the standard medium for written communication in Biblical antiquity, with archaeological evidence confirming its widespread adoption in Egypt and Mesopotamia prior to the Common Era. Linguistic analysis of Hebrew terms such as gillayon, meghillah, and cepher, alongside the Aramaic cephar and Greek biblion, reveals the specific textual formats referenced in ancient manuscripts.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the physical construction and handling of scrolls clarifies the logistical realities of preserving and transmitting ancient texts, offering concrete context for descriptions of reading, unrolling, and sealing documents found in biblical narratives.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Roll (scroll) in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Roll (scroll) clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.