χάρτης
chártēs
G5489 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A sheet or roll of writing material, typically made from papyrus, used for writing or inscribing. Refers specifically to a piece of physical writing substrate as employed for documents or letters. The sense is limited to the tangible paper-like medium itself.
Semantic Range
sheet of papyrus, writing material, scroll, document
Root / Etymology
From the same root as χάραξ (charax, meaning 'pointed stake' or 'palisade'), possibly referring to the notion of something marked or inscribed, or related to the surface being suitable for inscription. The precise derivation from χάραξ is likely through conceptual development relating to marking or writing. Related to the Latin 'charta' and English 'chart, card, charter.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Greek literature by the Hellenistic and Roman periods, χάρτης specifically designated a sheet or scroll of papyrus, imported primarily from Egypt, and was the main material for literary and documentary texts before the widespread use of parchment. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, it appears very rarely, reflecting the typical use of χάρτης in documentary, official, or literary contexts rather than general conversation. The term is narrower than other Greek words for writing materials (such as διφθέρα, 'parchment') and is not used figuratively. In later Byzantine Greek, its descendants (esp. as charta in Latin) referred more broadly to any writing material, but in Koine the core sense remains a papyrus sheet or scroll. The English translations usually render it as 'paper', 'scroll' or 'writing material', but ancient 'paper' specifically means papyrus, not modern paper.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as χάραξ; a sheet ("chart") of writing-material (as to be scribbled over):--paper.
Root Family
χάρτης (chartēs) — writing material, papyrus sheet, document
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5489-01 |
χάρτου | chartou | N GEN M SG |
paper | of a papyrus sheet | papyrus sheet | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5489-01 |
2 John 1:12 | χάρτου | chartou | N GEN M SG |
paper | of a papyrus sheet | papyrus sheet |