Roll
“A rolled writing, scroll”
Summary
A roll (or scroll) was the standard form of ancient books, consisting of sheets joined together and rolled around a stick, used for recording Scripture and official documents.
☩Form and Usage
Ancient books were written on rolls or scrolls made of papyrus or prepared animal skins (parchment). The Hebrew megillah and Greek biblion refer to these scroll-books. Writing was done in columns, and the roll was unwound as one read. Isaiah was told to write his prophecy in a roll, and Ezekiel was commanded to eat a roll filled with lamentations.
☩Jeremiah's Roll
Jeremiah dictated his prophecies to Baruch, who wrote them in a roll. When King Jehoiakim heard the words, he contemptuously cut the roll with a penknife and burned it in the fire. But God commanded Jeremiah to write another roll containing all the former words plus more, demonstrating that God's word cannot be destroyed.
☩The Heavenly Scroll
In Revelation, a sealed scroll in God's hand represents the divine decrees concerning earth's final destiny. No one was found worthy to open it until the Lamb who was slain stepped forward. As each seal is opened, judgments unfold upon the earth, culminating in the establishment of God's kingdom.
Related Verses40 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Roll," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Roll," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Roll," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).