Parchment is a writing material made from the prepared skin of animals, typically sheep, goats, or calves. It was a significant medium for writing in the ancient world, particularly in the context of biblical manuscripts and early Christian writings. The use of parchment is mentioned in the Bible, and it played a crucial role in the transmission of biblical texts.

Biblical References

The term "parchment" is explicitly mentioned in the New Testament. In 2 Timothy 4:13, the Apostle Paul, writing from prison, instructs Timothy: "When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments." . This reference indicates the importance of parchments for Paul, suggesting they contained valuable writings, possibly portions of Scripture or other important documents.

Historical Context

Parchment became a preferred writing material over papyrus due to its durability and reusability. Unlike papyrus, which was made from the papyrus plant and was more fragile, parchment could withstand more handling and was less susceptible to damage from moisture. This made it an ideal medium for preserving important texts, including biblical manuscripts.

The process of making parchment involved cleaning, stretching, and drying animal skins. The skins were then scraped to create a smooth writing surface. This labor-intensive process made parchment a more expensive material than papyrus, but its longevity justified the cost for important documents.

Role in Biblical Transmission

Parchment played a crucial role in the preservation and transmission of biblical texts. As Christianity spread, the need for durable copies of Scripture increased. Parchment codices, which were books made of folded sheets of parchment, gradually replaced scrolls. This transition facilitated easier reading and referencing of texts, contributing to the dissemination of Christian teachings.

The use of parchment also allowed for the creation of illuminated manuscripts, where biblical texts were adorned with decorative elements. These manuscripts, often produced in monastic scriptoria, were treasured for their beauty and served as a means of glorifying God through art.

Significance in Early Christianity

In the early Christian church, the use of parchment was instrumental in the compilation and preservation of the New Testament canon. As the church sought to establish authoritative texts, the durability of parchment ensured that these writings could be copied and circulated among Christian communities.

Parchment's significance extended beyond the biblical texts themselves. It was also used for writing theological treatises, letters, and other documents that shaped early Christian doctrine and practice. The ability to preserve these writings contributed to the development of a cohesive Christian identity and the spread of the Gospel message.

Conclusion

Parchment remains a symbol of the enduring nature of God's Word and the dedication of early Christians to preserve and transmit the Scriptures. Its role in the history of the Bible underscores the providential care in the preservation of divine revelation throughout the ages.Parchment

[WRITING]

Parchment

See BOOK.

A skin prepared for writing on; so called from Pergamos (q.v.), where this was first done (2 Timothy 4:13). 1. (n.) The skin of a lamb, sheep, goat, young calf, or other animal, prepared for writing on. See Vellum.

2. (n.) The envelope of the coffee grains, inside the pulp.

PARCHMENT

parch'-ment (membrana (2 Timothy 4:13)): The word "parchment "which occurs only once (2 Timothy 4:13), is derived from Latin pergamena (Greek Pergamene), i.e. pertaining to Pergamum, the name of an ancient city in Asia Minor where, it is believed, parchment was first used. Parchment is made from the skins of sheep, goats or young calves. The hair and fleshy portions of the skin are removed as in tanning by first soaking in lime and then dehairing, scraping and washing. The skin is then stretched on a frame and treated with powdered chalk, or other absorptive agent, to remove the fatty substances, and is then dried. It is finally given a smooth surface by rubbing with powdered pumice. Parchment was extensively used at the time of the early Christians for scrolls, legal documents, etc., having replaced papyrus for that purpose. It was no doubt used at even a much earlier time. The roll mentioned in Jeremiah 36 may have been of parchment. Scrolls were later replaced by codices of the same material. After the arabs introduced paper, parchment was still used for centuries for the book bindings. Diplomas printed on "sheepskins," still issued by many universities, represent the survival of an ancient use of parchment. See following article.

James A. Patch

3200. membrana -- parchment
... parchment. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: membrana Phonetic Spelling:
(mem-bran'-ah) Short Definition: a parchment leaf Definition: a parchment ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3200.htm - 6k

5440. phulakterion -- an outpost, fortification, an amulet
... Phonetic Spelling: (foo-lak-tay'-ree-on) Short Definition: a phylactery, an amulet
Definition: a phylactery, an amulet, a parchment capsule containing little ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5440.htm - 7k

Uncorrupt Preservation of the Gospel Narratives.
... most important materials for writing in ancient times were the paper made of the
Egyptian papyrus plant"whence the word paper"and parchment, prepared from ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter iii uncorrupt preservation of.htm

Manuscripts.
... volume contains the "Tome" (which in the 8th and 9th centuries used to be read in
the Church offices before Christmas): (2) 3828, a parchment (10th century ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/manuscripts.htm

The New Testament Text and Its History.
... 5. Respecting the materials for writing in ancient times"papyrus and parchment,
afterwards paper made from linen or cotton; the form of manuscripts"the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxvi the new testament.htm

Introduction.
... The same parchment which contained this fragment also contained a fragment of the
Revelation of Peter and a fragment of the Book of Enoch in Greek. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of peter/introduction.htm

The Regenerating Work of the Holy Spirit.
... Paul is drawing a contrast between the Word of God outside of us, written with ink
upon parchment or graven on tables of stone, and the Word of God written ...
/.../the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter ix the regenerating work.htm

The Writing of an Ancient Book
... When Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, had been ruler for four years, this message came
to Jeremiah from Jehovah, "Take a parchment roll and write on it all the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the writing of an ancient.htm

Letter xv. (AD 390. )
... (ad390.) To Romanianus Augustin Sends Greeting. 1. This letter indicates a scarcity
of paper, [1469] but not so as to testify that parchment is plentiful here. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xv a d 390.htm

Whether Christ's Passion is to be Attributed to his Godhead?
... For suppose a prince to speak by word of mouth, and that his words are committed
to writing on a parchment and sent out to the cities, and that some rebel ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs passion is to.htm

The Restoration of the Jews.
... and frequented part of the city. The prophecy thus dictated was inscribed upon
a roll of parchment. Baruch waited, when he had completed ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ix the restoration of.htm

Of the Purifications.
... priests set the woman at the gates that are turned towards the temple, and took
the veil from her head, and wrote the name of God on parchment, and enjoined ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 of the purifications.htm

Parchment
... pulp. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PARCHMENT. parch ... first used. Parchment
is made from the skins of sheep, goats or young calves. ...
/p/parchment.htm - 8k

Pergamos (1 Occurrence)
...Parchment (qv) was first made here, and was called by the Greeks pergamene, from
the name of the city. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PERGAMOS; PERGAMUM. ...
/p/pergamos.htm - 12k

Pergamum (2 Occurrences)
... The books were of parchment which was here first used; hence, the word "parchment,"
which is derived from the name of the town Pergamos. ...
/p/pergamum.htm - 12k

Parchments (1 Occurrence)
... writing on (2 Timothy 4:13). In Greek and Roman times parchment was much
employed as a writing material. "At Rome, in the 1st century ...
/p/parchments.htm - 10k

Samaritan (8 Occurrences)
... His description (Nablus and the Modern Samaritans, 312) is that "the roll is of
parchment, written in columns, 13 inches deep, and 7 1/2 inches wide. ...
/s/samaritan.htm - 42k

Frontlets (3 Occurrences)
... These they called tephillin, ie, "prayers." The passages so written out on strips
of parchment were these, Exodus 12:2-10; 13:11-21; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:18-21 ...
/f/frontlets.htm - 9k

Tanner (3 Occurrences)
... skins. The skins for pouches are either tawed, ie tanned with a mineral
salt like alum, or treated like parchment (see PARCHMENT). ...
/t/tanner.htm - 11k

Phylactery
... 2. (n.) A small square box, made either of parchment or of black calfskin, containing
slips of parchment or vellum on which are written the scriptural passages ...
/p/phylactery.htm - 13k

Phylacteries (2 Occurrences)
... defences" or "protections"), called by modern Jews tephillin (ie, "prayers") are
mentioned only in Matthew 23:5. They consisted of strips of parchment on which ...
/p/phylacteries.htm - 8k

Roll (57 Occurrences)
... wrap round on itself; to form into a spherical or cylindrical body by causing to
turn over and over; as, to roll a sheet of paper; to roll parchment; to roll ...
/r/roll.htm - 33k

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