roll Summary and Overview

the common form of ancient books. The Hebrew word rendered "roll" or "volume" is "meghillah", found in Ezra 6:2; Ps. 40:7; Jer. 36:2, 6, 23, 28, 29; Ezek. 2:9; 3:1-3; Zech. 5:1, 2. "Rolls" (Chald. pl. of sephar, corresponding to Heb. sepher) in Ezra 6:1 is rendered in the Revised Version "archives." In the New Testament the word "volume" (Heb. 10:7; R.V., "roll") occurs as the rendering of the Greek kephalis, meaning the head or top of the stick or cylinder on which the manuscript was rolled, and hence the manuscript itself. (See BOOK T0000622.)

A book in ancient times consisted of a single long strip of paper or parchment, which was usually kept rolled upon a stick, and was unrolled when a person wished to read it. The roll was usually written on one side only, and hence the particular notice of one that was "written within and without." #Eze 2:10| The writing was arranged in columns.

ROLL . Jer 36:2. See Books.

Ancient writings were rolled round a cylinder or stick. Volume means so (Jeremiah 36:2; Psalm 40:7; compare Deuteronomy 31:26; Ezekiel 2:9-10, where the writing "within and without" was contrary to the usage of writing only on one side, implying the fullness of the prophecy of woe. The writing was in columns (delathot), literally, doors, on parchment or prepared skins.