Paper
/PAY-per/
Summary
Paper in biblical times referred primarily to papyrus sheets made from the papyrus plant, the common writing material of the ancient world.
☩Writing Material
The 'paper' mentioned in Scripture was papyrus, made from the papyrus plant that grew abundantly in Egypt. John's reference to writing with 'paper and ink' indicates the continued use of this material in the apostolic period. Papyrus sheets were made by slicing the plant's pith into strips, laying them in crossed layers, and pressing them together.
Key verses:2 John 1:12
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Paper," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Paper," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).