Book
“Writing, record, or document”
Summary
A written record, in ancient times usually a scroll made of papyrus or leather, used to preserve law, history, prophecy, and the sacred Scriptures.
☩Ancient Book Forms
Ancient books were typically scrolls—long strips of papyrus or leather rolled around one or two sticks. The reader unrolled from one end while rolling up the other, which explains Jesus 'opening' and 'closing' the book at Nazareth. Writing was usually on one side only; a scroll 'written within and without' indicated fullness of content. Tablets of clay, stone, or wax were also used for records, and the parchment codex (forerunner of the modern book) emerged in the early Christian era.
☩The Book of the Law
The most important book in Israel was the 'book of the law' written by Moses and placed beside the ark of the covenant. Kings were commanded to write a copy for themselves and read it all their days. The discovery of the book of the law during Josiah's reign sparked national reformation. Jesus constantly appealed to 'what is written' as the authoritative word of God.
☩The Book of Life
Scripture speaks figuratively of a divine book containing the names of those who belong to God. Moses interceded that if God would not forgive Israel, he should be blotted out of God's book. The 'book of life' in Revelation contains the names of the elect, written before the foundation of the world, and those not found in it are cast into the lake of fire. Jesus told His disciples to rejoice that their names were written in heaven.
☩Other Divine Books
Several other figurative books appear in Scripture: the book of remembrance records the deeds of those who fear the Lord; books are opened at the final judgment from which the dead are judged according to their works. Daniel speaks of books opened at the heavenly tribunal. God even records the believer's tears and wanderings in His book, demonstrating His intimate knowledge and care.
☩Eating the Book
Both Ezekiel and John were commanded to eat a scroll, symbolizing the complete appropriation of God's word. The prophet must first make God's message part of himself before proclaiming it to others. Jeremiah expressed this same reality: 'Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.'
Related Verses181 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Book," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Book," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Book," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).