מְגִלָּה
a roll
Definition
The Hebrew noun מְגִלָּה refers to a scroll or a rolled-up document, typically made of parchment or papyrus. It describes a physical format for writing, especially for official records, prophetic messages, or sacred texts. In Jeremiah 36, it specifically denotes the scroll containing the prophet's words of judgment (Jeremiah 36:2, 4). In Psalm 40:7, it is used metaphorically, referring to the 'scroll of the book' that contains God's will, possibly alluding to a heavenly record or the Torah.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in contexts involving written documents, particularly prophetic or legal texts. It appears 19 times, with a significant concentration in Jeremiah 36 (11 occurrences), detailing the writing, reading, and destruction of Jeremiah's scroll. Other uses include Ezekiel 2:9-10 (a scroll of lamentation) and Zechariah 5:1-2 (a flying scroll of curse). It consistently refers to an authoritative, inscribed roll meant to be unrolled and read.
Etymology
Derived from the root גָּלַל (gālal, H1556), meaning 'to roll' or 'to turn.' The noun form מְגִלָּה literally means 'a rolled thing,' highlighting its physical shape. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages with similar meanings for scrolls or rolls. The development from the action of rolling to the object itself is straightforward.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it represents the medium of God's revealed word and prophecy. The scroll in Jeremiah 36 symbolizes the enduring authority of God's message despite human attempts to destroy it (Jeremiah 36:23, 28). In Psalm 40:7, the 'scroll of the book' points to the concept of divine decree and obedience to God's written will, a theme later reflected in the New Testament (Hebrews 10:7). Understanding this term enriches the perception of Scripture as a tangible, authoritative witness.
In ancient Israel, important documents were written on scrolls, not bound books. A מְגִלָּה was made by sewing together sheets of parchment or papyrus, which were then rolled around one or two sticks. Writing was typically in columns, and the scroll was read by unrolling it with one hand while rolling it up with the other. This format differed significantly from modern books and required careful handling and storage.
סֵפֶר (sēpher, H5612) — A broader term for any written document, book, or letter, not necessarily in scroll form. כְּתָב (kᵉthāḇ, H3791) — Generally refers to the writing itself or an inscription, not the physical object. סִפְרָה (siphrâ, H5613) — A rare term for a scroll or writing, used in Jeremiah 36:18 alongside מְגִלָּה.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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