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מְגִלָּה

𐤌𐤂𐤋𐤄

mᵉgillâh

H4040 noun

SILEX Entry

Root גלל to roll, roll up, turn

Definition

A written scroll, typically made of leather or parchment and rolled for storage; used as a primary medium for official documents, letters, decrees, or, most notably, literary texts such as sections of biblical writings. In certain contexts, it can refer to any rolled document, not exclusively sacred or literary material.

Semantic Range

scroll, rolled document, written roll, letter, official proclamation, legal or literary scroll

Root / Etymology

From the root גִּלֵּל (גלל), meaning 'to roll.' 'מְגִלָּה' is a feminine noun form designating something that is rolled, i.e., a roll or scroll. The underlying sense is 'that which is rolled up.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Aramaic, as in Hebrew, מְגִלָּה functions as the standard word for a roll or scroll. During the monarchic and exilic periods, it commonly referred to administrative documents (decrees, letters), while later, in the Second Temple period, it prominently denoted literary and scriptural scrolls (e.g., the 'Scroll of Esther'—מגִּלַּת אֶסְתֵּר). The term does not, in itself, connote holiness or scriptural status, though context may imply it. It is distinguished from terms like סֵפֶר (which more specifically designates a book or formal written composition). English 'roll' or 'scroll' captures the physical aspect but sometimes fails to convey the diversity of uses—from everyday writing to sacred texts—in ancient settings. In Aramaic usage (e.g., Daniel, Ezra), it typically refers to official documents or proclamations. Later rabbinic tradition further specialized the term for canonical scrolls.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to מְגִלָּה; {a roll}; roll.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גלל (g-l-l) — to roll, roll up, turn

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1530 גַּל rolled heap
H1534 גַּלְגַּל in the rolling-wheel
H1535 גַּלְגַּל his wheels
H1536 גִּלְגָּל Rolling-Circle
H1537 גִּלְגָּל in Gilgal

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4040-01 מְגִלָּ֣ה megilah ANcfsa a-scroll rolled scroll 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4040-01 Ezra 6:2 מְגִלָּ֣ה megilah ANcfsa a-scroll rolled scroll
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