Introduction:

Understanding Greek verbs like εἱλίσσω (heilíssō) is essential for interpreting the vivid imagery and nuanced actions described in the New Testament. Although this word is not commonly found in the New Testament, it carries significant weight in its few appearances, particularly in relation to the concept of rolling or folding up, which has symbolic and literal implications in various contexts. This term also provides a window into ancient Greek culture, where the action of rolling or folding was common in everyday activities and symbolic in literature and philosophy.

Key Information:

• Greek Word: εἱλίσσω (heilíssō) [hay-LEE-soh]
• Etymology: Derived from the root word εἵλω (heílō), meaning “to roll” or “to wind.”
• Part of Speech: Verb (present active indicative)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings:

• To roll up
• To coil or fold

Similar Words:

• ἀνακυκλέω (anakykléō) [ah-nah-KOO-klay-oh]: A verb meaning “to roll up” or “to wrap,” often used in similar contexts to describe the act of rolling something into a circular shape.
• συστρέφω (systréphō) [soo-STREH-phoh]: Meaning “to twist” or “to wind,” this verb emphasizes the action of coiling or twisting, often with a more forceful connotation.
• πτυχόω (ptychóō) [ptoo-KHO-oh]: Translated as “to fold” or “to roll,” especially in the context of textiles or scrolls, highlighting the careful and deliberate action involved.

Further Insights:

• Morphology:
• εἱλίσσω is a verb that follows the regular conjugation pattern of Greek verbs in the present active indicative. It describes a physical action that can also carry metaphorical meanings depending on the context.
• Verb Conjugation: As a Greek verb, εἱλίσσω is conjugated according to tense, voice, and mood, but is typically encountered in the present or aorist forms.

Lexicon Insights:

BDAG:
BDAG defines εἱλίσσω as “to roll up” or “to fold,” with an emphasis on its usage in contexts that describe the rolling up of scrolls or the folding of garments. The lexicon notes its symbolic use in eschatological passages, where it can signify the wrapping up of the current order.

Thayer’s:
Thayer’s lexicon explains εἱλίσσω as “to roll together” or “to fold up,” highlighting its application in describing actions that involve gathering or winding something into a compact form. Thayer’s also references its use in literature where such actions symbolize closure or finality.

Vine’s:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary describes εἱλίσσω as a verb that conveys the idea of rolling up or folding, often in a symbolic sense in biblical texts. Vine’s points out that in the New Testament, this word is used to describe the rolling up of the heavens, metaphorically indicating the end of the world or a dramatic change.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones):
The LSJ lexicon traces εἱλίσσω to classical Greek usage, where it commonly referred to the rolling up of scrolls, garments, or even sails. LSJ highlights that the term was often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, particularly in poetry and philosophy.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance lists εἱλίσσω as meaning “to roll together” or “to fold,” noting its appearance in key New Testament passages, especially those dealing with eschatological themes. Strong’s emphasizes its role in conveying the action of gathering or concluding.

Scripture References:

• Hebrews 1:12: “Like a robe you will roll them up (εἱλίσσω), like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”
• Revelation 6:14: “The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up (εἱλίσσω), and every mountain and island was removed from its place.”

Classical Usage:

Summary of εἱλίσσω (G1507: heilíssō)

The Greek verb εἱλίσσω (heilíssō), meaning “to roll up” or “to fold,” is a dynamic term used in both literal and metaphorical contexts in ancient Greek literature and the New Testament. While not frequently appearing in the Bible, its usage in key passages conveys significant eschatological and symbolic meanings, particularly in relation to the end times or the wrapping up of the heavens. The word also reflects everyday actions in ancient Greek culture, such as rolling up scrolls or folding garments, thus bridging the gap between the mundane and the divine.

Did You Know?

The verb εἱλίσσω not only refers to the physical act of rolling up or folding but also carries rich symbolic connotations in ancient Greek thought. For instance, in Greek philosophy, the rolling up of a scroll or the folding of a garment was often used as a metaphor for bringing something to a conclusion, such as the end of an era or the completion of a philosophical argument. This dual usage of εἱλίσσω highlights the interconnectedness of physical actions and abstract concepts in ancient Greek culture.