μεμβράνα G3200
μεμβράνα — parchment, treated animal skin used for writing
This loanword from Latin (membrāna) appears in 2 Timothy 4:13, where Paul asks Timothy to bring the cloak he left at Troas and 'especially the parchments.' These were likely important documents written on treated animal skins, more durable than papyrus. The specific mention suggests they held particular value — possibly Scripture portions, legal documents regarding his Roman citizenship, or notes for teaching. Paul's request from prison reveals his ongoing commitment to the written word even as death approached. Despite facing execution, he wanted access to these documents, showing that ministry and learning continue to the end.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The accusative feminine plural 'the parchments' identifies specific documents Paul wanted retrieved. Cross-linguistic evidence (Spanish 'pergaminos,' German 'Pergament') confirms these as treated animal skins for writing, distinguished from the 'books' (probably papyrus scrolls) mentioned alongside them, emphasizing Paul's concern for written materials even in his final imprisonment. 1×
AR["الرُّقوقَ"]·ben["চর্মপত্রগুলি।"]·DE["Pergament"]·EN["parchments"]·FR["μεμβράνας"]·heb["קְלָפִים"]·HI["चमदोन."]·ID["perkamen"]·IT["membranas"]·jav["kulit."]·KO["양피지들-을"]·RU["пергаменты"]·ES["pergaminos"]·SW["ngozi"]·TR["parşömenleri"]·urd["چرم-پوست"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
μεμβράνα, ἡ, = Latin membrāna, parchment, NT+2nd c.AD+:—also μέμβρανον, τό, Refs 6th c.AD+: hence adjective μεμβράϊνος, Refs 6th c.AD+, and substantive μεμβραϊνάριος, probably in Refs 6th c.AD+