Original Word: κεφαλίς
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: kephalis
Pronunciation: kef-al-is'
Phonetic Spelling: (kef-al-is')
Definition: roll, scroll
Meaning: (lit: little head, then: the knob at the end of the wooden core of a roll of papyrus, then) a roll, volume, division (of a book).

volume, roll of a book

From kephale; properly, a knob, i.e. (by implication) a roll (by extension from the end of a stick on which the manuscript was rolled) -- volume.

see GREEK kephale

Word Origin
dim. of kephalé
Definition
a little head, a roll
NASB Translation
scroll (1).

STRONGS NT 2777: κεφαλίς

κεφαλίς, κεφαλίδος, ἡ (diminutive of κεφαλή, formed after the analogy of ἁμαξίς, πινακίς, etc.; cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. ii., p. 443; Kühner, § 380 Anm. 5, i., p. 708);

1. a little head (Latincapitellum, capitulum).

2. the highest part, extremity or end of anything; as the capital of a column, 1 Kings 7:9, 31 etc.; Geoponica 14, 6, 6; hence, the tips or knobs (theumbilici of the Romans (or rather the cornua; see Gardthausen, Griech. Palaeogr., p. 52f; Rich, Dictionary, under the word umbilicus)) of the wooden rod around which parchments were rolled seem to have been called κεφαλίδες, because they resembled little heads; so that

3. the Alexandrian writers transferred the name κεφαλίς to the roll or volume itself: ἐν κεφαλίδι βίβλου, Hebrews 10:7 (from the Sept. of Psalm 39:8 () for בִּמְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר, as in Ezekiel 2:9, and without βιβλίου, ; 2 Esdr. 6:2 (cf. Birt, Antikes Buchwesen (Berl. 1882), p. 116)), Itala:in volumine libri, in the roll of the book (cf. Winer's Grammar, 23 (22)). The different opinions are noticed by Bleek at the passage.

STRONGS NT 2777b: κημόωκημόω, κημῷ: future κημώσω; (κημός a muzzle); to stop the mouth by a muzzle, to muzzle: βοῦν, 1 Corinthians 9:9 T Tr WH marginal reading (Xenophon, r. eq. 5, 3); see φιμόω.

Word Origin: Diminutive form of κεφαλή (kephalē), meaning "head."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with the concept of a scroll or book is מְגִלָּה (megillah, Strong's Hebrew 4039), which refers to a roll or scroll, particularly in the context of sacred writings. Another related term is סֵפֶר (sepher, Strong's Hebrew 5612), meaning "book" or "document." These terms are used throughout the Old Testament to denote written records, including legal documents, genealogies, and prophetic writings.

Usage: The term κεφαλίς is used in the context of ancient writing materials, referring to a scroll or roll of parchment. It is found in the New Testament in the context of scriptural references.

Context: • The Greek word κεφαλίς appears in the New Testament in Hebrews 10:7, where it is used to describe a scroll or roll of parchment. The passage reads: "Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’” (BSB). This verse is a quotation from Psalm 40:7-8, where the psalmist speaks of the coming of the Messiah and His dedication to fulfilling God's will as prophesied in the Scriptures.
• In ancient times, writings were often recorded on scrolls made of papyrus or parchment. These scrolls were rolled up and sealed, and the term κεφαλίς would refer to the rolled-up document. The use of κεφαλίς in Hebrews emphasizes the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah, highlighting the continuity and unity of the biblical narrative.
• The concept of the scroll is significant in biblical literature, symbolizing the written word of God and His covenant with His people. The imagery of the scroll in Hebrews 10:7 underscores the authority and divine inspiration of Scripture, as well as the central role of Christ in God's redemptive plan.

κεκηλίδωσαι κεφαλίδα κεφαλίδας κεφαλιδες κεφαλίδες κεφαλιδι κεφαλίδι κεφαλίδος κεφαλίδων κεφαλίς κεφούροι κεφφουρέ κεφφώρ κημώ kephalidi kephalídiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts