← H4038 H4040 →

מְגִלָּה

𐤌𐤂𐤋𐤄

mᵉgillâh

H4039 noun

SILEX Entry

Root גָּלַל to roll, to wind, to wrap

Definition

A written scroll, typically made of papyrus, parchment, or leather, that contains literary, legal, or prophetic material. In biblical usage, 'mᵉgillâh' generally refers to a complete, rolled document, as opposed to a single sheet or fragment. The term applies particularly to documents that are meant to be both read aloud and preserved, such as contracts, letters, or narrative works.

Semantic Range

written scroll, rolled document, narrative scroll, legal scroll, prophetic scroll, contract, letter, volume

Root / Etymology

From the root גָּלַל (galal), meaning 'to roll.' The noun מְגִלָּה (mᵉgillâh) is formed with the mem-prefix (מְ-) indicating instrument or product, thus 'that which is rolled' or 'a rolled object.' While the root refers broadly to the act of rolling, in this noun form it specifically denotes an object, namely a written scroll.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the monarchic and exilic periods, מְגִלָּה referred to documents inscribed on long sheets and then rolled for storage and reading (cf. Jeremiah 36:2–4, Ezekiel 2:9–10, Zechariah 5:1–4). Scrolls were the primary medium for transmission of written texts, ranging from legal documents (Jeremiah 32:10–14) to literary works (Esther 9:25–32; the book of Esther itself is called a מְגִלָּה, leading to its modern designation as 'The Megillah'). The use of מְגִלָּה for sacred books becomes more prominent in the later biblical period, but the term can also refer generically to secular writings. English translations often render מְגִלָּה as 'roll,' 'scroll,' or 'volume.' The translation 'book' is sometimes used, but this can obscure the scroll format and the physical nature of biblical manuscripts. The use of מְגִלָּה is distinct from סֵפֶר (sefer), which emphasizes the content ('document, book, written record') rather than the format ('scroll, rolled writing'). In post-biblical and later traditions, especially within rabbinic literature, מְגִלָּה acquires the specialized sense of the biblical scrolls read in synagogue (e.g., Esther, Ruth, Song of Songs), but this specialized usage develops after the close of the Hebrew Bible.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from גָּלַל; a roll; roll, volume.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

גלל (g-l-l) — to roll, to wind, to wrap

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

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4039-02 הַ/מְּגִלָּ֗ה hamegilah HTd/Ncfsa the scroll the rolled scroll 12
H4039-03 מְגִלָּ֣ה megilah HNcfsa a scroll rolled scroll 4
H4039-04 מְגִלַּת megilat HNcfsc a scroll rolled scroll of 3
H4039-05 בַ/מְּגִלָּ֣ה vamegilah HRd/Ncfsa in-the-scroll in the rolled scroll 1
H4039-01 בִּ/מְגִלַּת bimegilat HR/Ncfsc in the roll of in rolled scroll of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

21 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4039-04 Jeremiah 36:2 מְגִלַּת megilat HNcfsc a scroll rolled scroll of
H4039-04 Jeremiah 36:4 מְגִלַּת megilat HNcfsc scroll of rolled scroll of
H4039-05 Jeremiah 36:6 בַ/מְּגִלָּ֣ה vamegilah HRd/Ncfsa in-the-scroll in the rolled scroll
H4039-02 Jeremiah 36:14 הַ/מְּגִלָּ֗ה hamegilah HTd/Ncfsa the scroll the rolled scroll
H4039-02 Jeremiah 36:14 הַ/מְּגִלָּה֙ hamegilah-2 HTd/Ncfsa the scroll the rolled scroll
H4039-02 Jeremiah 36:20 הַ/מְּגִלָּ֣ה hamegilah HTd/Ncfsa the scroll the rolled scroll
H4039-02 Jeremiah 36:21 הַ/מְּגִלָּ֔ה hamegilah HTd/Ncfsa scroll the rolled scroll
H4039-02 Jeremiah 36:23 הַ/מְּגִלָּ֔ה hamegilah HTd/Ncfsa the scroll the rolled scroll
H4039-02 Jeremiah 36:25 הַ/מְּגִלָּ֑ה hamegilah HTd/Ncfsa the scroll the rolled scroll
H4039-02 Jeremiah 36:27 הַ/מְּגִלָּה֙ hamegilah HTd/Ncfsa the scroll the rolled scroll
← H4038 Hebrew Lexicon H4040 →