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βιβλιαρίδιον

bibliarídion

G974 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Small scroll or little book; specifically, a short document, brief scroll, or small written work. In its New Testament context, refers to a written object notably smaller than a standard scroll or codex, typically a diminutive form of a written document.

Semantic Range

little scroll, small book, brief written document, diminutive scroll, booklet

Root / Etymology

Diminutive form of βιβλίον (biblion, 'book' or 'scroll'), itself a diminutive of βίβλος (biblos, 'book', originally 'papyrus'). The suffix -ιδιον (-idion) denotes smallness or endearment.

Historical & Contextual Notes

βιβλιαρίδιον appears exclusively in Revelation (10:2, 10:8, 10:9, 10:10) in the New Testament, and is not found in earlier Greek literature. Its usage in Revelation emphasizes the small size of the scroll, distinguishing it from a full-length scroll (βιβλίον). The choice of the diminutive recognizes both the physical dimension and, potentially, the symbolic function of the document as compared to large, canonical texts. In later Greek, diminutive forms like βιβλιαρίδιον often retain an element of literal smallness rather than mere endearment. Most English translations render it 'little book' or 'little scroll,' but the underlying image is of a brief document or a scroll whose content or format is notably less than that implied by βιβλίον. The word is unique to Christian literature in this period and does not occur in the Septuagint or elsewhere in Koine Greek.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a diminutive of βιβλίον; a booklet:--little book.

Root Family

βιβλαρίδιον (bibliaridion) — book, scroll, written document (diminutive)

Root βιβλ- book, scroll, written document

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G974-01 βιβλαρίδιον biblaridion N ACC N SG little scroll a small scroll small scroll 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G974-01 Revelation 10:2 βιβλαρίδιον biblaridion N ACC N SG little book a small scroll a small scroll
G974-01 Revelation 10:9 βιβλαρίδιον biblaridion N ACC N SG little scroll a small scroll small scroll
G974-01 Revelation 10:10 βιβλαρίδιον biblaridion N ACC N SG little scroll a small scroll small scroll
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