Parchment
Summary
Parchment is a writing material made from animal skins, mentioned by Paul in his request to Timothy to bring his books and parchments.
☩Description and Use
Parchment is prepared from the skins of sheep, goats, or calves in an untanned state, treated to create a smooth writing surface. The name derives from Pergamum in Asia Minor, where the material was reportedly perfected around 196 BC, though animal skins had been used for writing centuries earlier. Parchment proved far more durable than papyrus and became the primary material for important manuscripts.
☩Biblical Reference
Paul, writing from prison to Timothy, requested that he bring 'the books, but especially the parchments.' The exact contents of these parchments remain unknown, though they may have included portions of Scripture or personal documents important to the apostle.
Related Verses1 mention
2 Timothy· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Parchment," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Parchment," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Parchment," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).