What does the Bible say about books?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents books and written records as valuable instruments for preserving God’s revelation, remembering his works, and communicating truth, while reminding us that only God’s word endures forever. Job 19:23-24 expresses a longing that testimony be permanently inscribed, and Jeremiah 36:2 shows the Lord commanding his words to be written in a scroll. Ezekiel 2:9-10 portrays a scroll containing God’s message of lamentation and warning. Paul’s request for his books and parchments in 2 Timothy 4:13 affirms the ordinary usefulness of reading and study. Yet Isaiah 34:4 teaches that even the created order will pass away, directing believers above all to treasure Scripture and the eternal gospel it proclaims.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Probable origin of Job 19:23; Job 19:24
- Made of
- Papyrus or paper reed Isaiah 19:7
- Parchment 2 Timothy 4:13
- Made in a roll Isaiah 34:4; Jeremiah 36:2; Ezekiel 2:9
- Written with pen and ink Jeremiah 36:18; 3 John 1:13
- Often written on both sides Ezekiel 2:10
- Often sealed Isaiah 29:11; Daniel 12:4; Revelation 5:1
- Often dedicated to persons of distinction Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1
- Were numerous and most expensive Acts 19:19
- The ancients fond of making Ecclesiastes 12:12
- Divine communications recorded in Exodus 17:14; Isaiah 30:8; Jeremiah 36:2; Revelation 1:19
- Important events recorded in Ezra 4:15; Ezra 6:1; Ezra 6:2; Esther 2:23
- Erasures in, alluded to Exodus 32:33; Numbers 5:23
- Not extant, but mentioned in scripture
- Wars of the Lord Numbers 21:14
- Jasher Joshua 10:13; 2 Samuel 1:18
- Samuel concerning the kingdom 1 Samuel 10:25
- Chronicles of David 1 Chronicles 27:24
- Acts of Solomon 1 Kings 11:41
- Natural history by Solomon 1 Kings 4:32; 1 Kings 4:33
- History of the kings 1 Chronicles 9:1
- Samuel the seer 1 Chronicles 29:29
- Nathan 1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 9:29
- Shemaiah 2 Chronicles 12:15
- Gad the seer 1 Chronicles 29:29
- Ahijah the Shilonite 2 Chronicles 9:29
- Visions of Iddo 2 Chronicles 9:29; 2 Chronicles 12:15
- Jehu the son of Hanani 2 Chronicles 20:34
- Sayings of the seers 2 Chronicles 33:19
- Illustrative of
- Memorials of God’s providence Psalms 56:8; Psalms 139:16
- Memorials of conversation and conduct of men Daniel 7:10; Malachi 3:16; Revelation 20:12
- The record of the church of Christ Daniel 12:1; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 20:15; Revelation 22:19
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