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The Blue Letter Bible

Dictionaries :: Parchment

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Easton's Bible Dictionary

Parchment:

a skin prepared for writing on; so called from Pergamos (q.v.), where this was first done (2Ti 4:13).

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Parchment:

parch'-ment (membrana (2Ti 4:13)): The word "parchment "which occurs only once (2Ti 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 Jer 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.

Written by James A. Patch

See PARCHMENTS

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
1 Strong's Number: g3200 Greek: membrana

Parchment:

is a Latin word, properly an adjective, from membrum, "a limb," but denoting "skin, parchment." The Eng. word "parchment" is a form of pergamena, an adjective signifying "of Pergamum," the city in Asia Minor where "parchment" was either invented or brought into use. The word membrana is found in 2Ti 4:13, where Timothy is asked to bring to the Apostle "the books, especially the parchments." The writing material was prepared from the skin of the sheep or goat. The skins were first soaked in lime for the purpose of removing the hair, and then shaved, washed, dried, stretched and ground or smoothed with fine chalk or lime and pumice-stone. The finest kind is called "vellum," and is made from the skins of calves or kids.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Parchment:

SEE [WRITING].

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