What does βιβλίον (biblíon) mean in the Bible?
Biblion denotes a written document, commonly a scroll or book, and its significance changes with the document in view. In Matthew 19:7 it is a certificate used in a legal question about divorce.
Greek · G975
βιβλίον
A roll
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βιβλίον G975
Pronunciation biblíon
What does βιβλίον (biblíon) mean in the Bible?
Biblion denotes a written document, commonly a scroll or book, and its significance changes with the document in view. In Matthew 19:7 it is a certificate used in a legal question about divorce.
Reader summary
Full entry for βιβλίον (G975) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G975?
The BSB source-word alignment has 34 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include book (12), scroll (8), a scroll (3), books (3), a certificate (2).
Where does βιβλίον (biblíon) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 19:7. Its strongest book concentrations include Revelation (23), Luke (3), Hebrews (2), John (2).
Are there verse guides for βιβλίον (biblíon)?
This entry includes 6 verse guides that explain exact original-language forms in context.
What This Word Actually Means
Biblion denotes a written document, commonly a scroll or book, and its significance changes with the document in view. In Matthew 19:7 it is a certificate used in a legal question about divorce. In 2 Timothy 4:13 it refers to scrolls Paul asks Timothy to bring. Revelation employs the word for the sealed scroll in the Lamb's hand, the Book of Life, and the prophetic book being read by the churches.
The noun does not by itself mean Scripture or guarantee divine authority. Yet Revelation shows how a written object can carry God's decreed purpose, record belonging to Him, or transmit a prophetic message. Readers must identify the document, its speaker, and its role before drawing theological conclusions.
How the Bible Uses It
Biblion moves from ordinary and legal documents to symbolically and prophetically charged books. Matthew names a divorce certificate; Paul requests scrolls; Revelation presents the sealed scroll, the Book of Life, and the book of prophecy. The material object is not the doctrine. Its owner, contents, and narrative function establish its weight.
- Matt.19.7
“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
Matthew 19:7 uses biblion within the phrase for a certificate of divorce. Jesus answers the appeal to Moses by exposing hard hearts and returning the discussion to God's creational intention.
- 2Tim.4.13
When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
Second Timothy 4:13 is deliberately ordinary: Paul asks for his scrolls and especially the parchments. The verse witnesses to written materials in apostolic life without identifying their exact contents.
- Rev.5.4
And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.
In Revelation 5:4 the unopened scroll intensifies John's grief because no creature is worthy to open it. The scene turns attention to the conquering, slain Lamb, whose worthiness advances God's purpose.
- Rev.17.8
The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.
Revelation 17:8 speaks of names written in the Book of Life. The image emphasizes God's knowledge and the distinction between those who marvel at the beast and those who belong to the Lamb.
- Rev.22.19
And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book.
Revelation 22:19 warns against taking away from the words of this prophetic book. The warning concerns faithful reception and transmission of Revelation, not a magical property of ink and binding.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It book 12× John 20:30, Galatians 3:10, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 17:8
scroll 8× Luke 4:20, Hebrews 9:19, Revelation 5:2, Revelation 5:3
a scroll 3× Revelation 1:11, Revelation 5:1, Revelation 6:14
books 3× John 21:25, Revelation 20:12
a certificate 2× Matthew 19:7, Mark 10:4
[it] 1× Luke 4:17
[the] scroll 1× Hebrews 10:7
[the] scroll of 1× Luke 4:17
[them] 1× Revelation 20:12
scrolls 1× 2 Timothy 4:13
small scroll 1× Revelation 10:8
Show sample aligned rows
Matthew 19:7 βιβλίον to a certificate Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Mark 10:4 βιβλίον to a certificate Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Luke 4:17 βιβλίον to [the] scroll of Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular Luke 4:17 βιβλίον to [it] Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Luke 4:20 βιβλίον to scroll Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular John 20:30 βιβλίῳ to book Noun - Dative Neuter Singular John 21:25 βιβλία to books Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Galatians 3:10 βιβλίῳ to Book Noun - Dative Neuter Singular 2 Timothy 4:13 βιβλία to scrolls Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Hebrews 9:19 βιβλίον to scroll Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Matthew 19:7
Aligned rows 34
Books represented 8
Matthew 1 Mark 1 Luke 3 John 2 Galatians 1 2 Timothy 1 Hebrews 2 Revelation 23
Source forms
βιβλίον 18x biblion Matthew 19:7, Mark 10:4, Luke 4:17, Luke 4:20
βιβλίου 6x bibliou Hebrews 10:7, Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:9, Revelation 22:10
βιβλίῳ 6x bibliō John 20:30, Galatians 3:10, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 21:27
βιβλία 3x biblia John 21:25, 2 Timothy 4:13, Revelation 20:12
βιβλίοις 1x bibliois Revelation 20:12
Parsing patterns
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular 15x Matthew 19:7, Mark 10:4, Luke 4:17, Luke 4:20
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular 6x John 20:30, Galatians 3:10, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 21:27
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular 6x Hebrews 10:7, Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:9, Revelation 22:10
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular 3x Luke 4:17, Revelation 6:14, Revelation 20:12
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural 2x John 21:25, 2 Timothy 4:13
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural 1x Revelation 20:12
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural 1x Revelation 20:12
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Do not identify Paul's scrolls or parchments more precisely than 2 Timothy allows.
- Do not treat every occurrence of biblion as a technical name for canonical Scripture.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not identify Paul's scrolls or parchments more precisely than 2 Timothy allows.
- Do not treat every occurrence of biblion as a technical name for canonical Scripture.
Key Verse and Form Guides
Verse-level guides showing how this original-language form works in its specific context, including grammar, verse function, and guarded interpretation.
Revelation 22:7 Noun Genitive Singular Neuter
βιβλίου bibliou a roll The grammar narrows the reference to a particular written prophetic work and helps the reader hear the verse as a blessing tied to preserving its words. Read verse guide Revelation 22:9 Noun Genitive Singular Neuter
βιβλίου bibliou a roll The form narrows the reference to the specific book named in the verse and helps the reader hear the phrase as a defined body of words tied to that book. Read verse guide Revelation 22:10 Noun Genitive Singular Neuter
βιβλίου bibliou a roll The form sharpens the reference so the warning is heard as directed to the prophecy contained in this book, while leaving the larger meaning to the sentence and passage. Read verse guide Revelation 22:18 Noun Dative Singular Neuter
βιβλίῳ biblio a roll The form helps readers hear the phrase as a location or reference point for the written judgments, not as an independent statement about the noun itself. Read verse guide Revelation 22:18 Noun Genitive Singular Neuter
βιβλίου bibliou a roll The form sharpens the reference to a single written roll connected with the prophecy, which keeps the warning concrete and text-bound. Read verse guide Revelation 22:19 Noun Dative Singular Neuter
βιβλίῳ biblio a roll The grammar reinforces that the clause points to content contained in this written work, so the focus stays on the preserved words of the prophecy. Read verse guide Evidence Summary
Greek word. A written document, especially a scroll or codex containing text meant to be read aloud or studied.
Source Gloss
a roll
Extended definition Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
A written document, especially a scroll or codex containing text meant to be read aloud or studied.
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
16 of 32 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
Matthew 19:7 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
βιβλίον biblion
a papyrus roll
Read verse Mark 10:4 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
βιβλίον biblion
a papyrus roll
Read verse Luke 4:17 Noun Nominative Singular Neuter
βιβλίον biblion
a papyrus roll
Read verse Luke 4:17 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
βιβλίον, biblion
a papyrus roll
Read verse Luke 4:20 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
βιβλίον, biblion
a papyrus roll
Read verse John 20:30 Noun Dative Singular Neuter
βιβλίῳ bibliw
a papyrus roll
Read verse John 21:25 Noun Accusative Plural Neuter
βιβλία. biblia
a papyrus roll
Read verse Galatians 3:10 Noun Dative Singular Neuter
βιβλίῳ bibliw
a papyrus roll
Read verse 2 Timothy 4:13 Noun Accusative Plural Neuter
βιβλία, biblia
a papyrus roll
Read verse Hebrews 9:19 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
βιβλίον biblion
a papyrus roll
Read verse Hebrews 10:7 Noun Genitive Singular Neuter
βιβλίου bibliou
a papyrus roll
Read verse Revelation 1:11 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
βιβλίον, biblion
a papyrus roll
Read verse Revelation 5:1 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
βιβλίον biblion
a papyrus roll
Read verse Revelation 5:2 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
βιβλίον, biblion
a papyrus roll
Read verse Revelation 5:3 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
βιβλίον, biblion
a papyrus roll
Read verse Revelation 5:4 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
βιβλίον, biblion
a papyrus roll
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 7 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns 7 Aligned forms 34 Case pattern Accusative (17) Number pattern Singular (30)
Nominative · Singular · Neuter Luke 4:17 · Rev 6:14 · Rev 20:12 3×
Nominative · Plural · Neuter Rev 20:12 1×
Dative · Plural · Neuter Rev 20:12 1×
Accusative · Singular · Neuter Matt 19:7 · Mark 10:4 · Luke 4:17 · Luke 4:20 · Heb 9:19 · Rev 1:11 · Rev 5:1 · Rev 5:2 · Rev 5:3 · Rev 5:4 · Rev 5:5 · Rev 5:8 · Rev 5:9 · Rev 10:8 · Rev 17:8 15×
Accusative · Plural · Neuter John 21:25 · 2 Tim 4:13 2×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
A written legal document recording a property transaction
A written scroll containing Jeremiah's prophetic words dictated to Baruch
The written scroll read before the king and subsequently burned
Showing 3 selected witnesses from 34 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
βιβλίον is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
The theology attached to biblion comes through particular written objects, not through the noun in abstraction. A certificate can become part of a dispute in which Jesus exposes human hardness. Personal scrolls can show the practical place of reading and writing in ministry without giving us permission to invent their titles. In Revelation, books and scrolls serve a grander purpose: the sealed scroll awaits the worthy Lamb, the Book of Life signifies belonging known to God, and the prophetic book demands faithful hearing and transmission.
The repeated image dignifies written witness while directing worship beyond the object to God and the Lamb. Churches should therefore receive God's written word with reverence, resist careless alteration, and avoid turning gaps in the text into confident speculation.
Anchor passage
Rev.5.4
Doctrinal connections
- Creation and marriage: Jesus reads a legal document beneath God's prior creational design.
- Providence and judgment: the sealed scroll depicts purposes no creature can execute apart from the worthy Lamb.
- Christology: Revelation 5 centers worthiness in the Lion who conquered as the slain Lamb.
- Election and belonging: the Book of Life image speaks of those known as belonging to God.
- Revelation and preservation: the prophetic book is to be heard and transmitted without subtraction.
- Ministry and learning: Paul's request for scrolls shows ordinary written materials serving apostolic labor without inviting speculation.
Biblion is a diminutive form historically related to biblos, though in New Testament usage it can simply mean a scroll, book, or written document without emphasizing small size. The surrounding genitives and narrative setting normally identify the kind of record.
From Old to New Testament
Old Testament scroll scenes provide key background: the recovered Book of the Law confronts Judah, Ezekiel eats a scroll bearing God's message, and Daniel sees heavenly books opened. Revelation gathers such imagery around the Lamb and final judgment.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain