Lexical Summary heilissó: To roll up, to coil, to wrap Original Word: εἱλίσσω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance roll together. A prolonged form of a primary but defective verb heilo (of the same meaning); to coil or wrap -- roll together. See also helisso. see GREEK helisso NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originvariant reading for helissó, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1507: εἱλίσσωεἱλίσσω, Ionic and poetic and occasional in later prose for ἑίσσω (Winer's Grammar, § 2, 1 a.): (present passive ἑιλίσσομαι); εἴλω to press close, to roll up (cf. Liddell and Scott, under the word, at the end)), to roll up or together: Revelation 6:14 R G; but L T Tr WH have restored ἑλισσόμομαι. (From Homer down.) Topical Lexicon Semantic Field and Imageryεἱλίσσω presents the picture of rolling, coiling, or wrapping something upon itself—whether a scroll, a cloak, or the very fabric of the heavens. The action implies both compression (drawing things together) and finality (preparing an object for storage, removal, or replacement). The term therefore lends itself naturally to passages that speak of divine intervention, decisive moments in redemptive history, and ultimate eschatological closure. Old Testament Usage (Septuagint) 1. 2 Kings 2:8 “Then Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.” The rolled cloak becomes an instrument of the Lord’s power, linking εἱλίσσω with miraculous passage and prophetic authority. The image anticipates later reflections on baptismal deliverance and spiritual crossing from death to life. 2. Isaiah 34:4 “All the stars of heaven will be dissolved. The sky will be rolled up like a scroll, and all their array will wither away…” Here εἱλίσσω conveys cosmic judgment. The very heavens, once stretched out, are compacted into a scroll, stressing God’s sovereignty over creation and history. 3. Psalm 102:26 (LXX numbering; 102:25–26 in English) “They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment; like clothing You will change them, and they will be discarded.” The psalm’s garment imagery is echoed by εἱλίσσω-like language that Hebrews later applies directly to Messiah. Additional Septuagint occurrences (e.g., 2 Kings 2:14; Ezekiel 2:9) continue the themes of prophetic action and the handling of scrolls—both physical and symbolic. Eschatological Significance The rolling up of heaven (Isaiah 34:4) foreshadows New Testament declarations that “the sky receded like a scroll being rolled up” (Revelation 6:14) and that “the elements will be destroyed by fire” (2 Peter 3:10). Though those verses use other Greek verbs, the conceptual background supplied by εἱλίσσω is unmistakable. The act of rolling communicates not annihilation alone but orderly removal, making way for “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1). Christological Application Hebrews 1:12—using the cognate ἑλίσσω—applies Psalm 102:26 to the exalted Son: “Like a robe You will roll them up, and like a garment they will be changed.” The writer contrasts the mutable universe with the unchanging Christ, elevating Him above angels and all created order. εἱλίσσω thus supports the doctrine of Christ’s divine prerogative to conclude and renew creation. Literary and Cultural Background First-century readers were familiar with scrolls rolled shut after a decree was read, or cloaks tightly wound for a journey. Such commonplace actions form the backdrop against which prophetic visions gained vividness: the heavens compressed like a scroll, garments wrapped for decisive action, and even serpents coiled in readiness (a further extension of the root idea). The verb therefore bridges daily experience and apocalyptic revelation. Ministry Reflections • Authority of the Word: A scroll rolled up has been read and stands complete; likewise, God’s pronouncements are settled. Theological Connections 1. Creation and Consummation: εἱλίσσω underscores that the universe is not eternal; it can be folded like fabric at the Creator’s will. In sum, εἱλίσσω, though absent from New Testament manuscripts, infuses biblical theology with a rich motif of rolling up—aptly portraying God’s power to conclude history, vindicate His servants, and inaugurate the everlasting kingdom. Forms and Transliterations ελισσόμενονLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance εἴκοσι — 11 Occ.εἴξαμεν — 1 Occ. ἔοικεν — 2 Occ. εἰκὼν — 6 Occ. εἰκόνα — 10 Occ. εἰκόνι — 4 Occ. εἰκόνος — 3 Occ. εἰλικρινείᾳ — 1 Occ. εἰλικρινείας — 2 Occ. εἰλικρινῆ — 1 Occ. ᾖ — 43 Occ. ἤμην — 15 Occ. ἦμεν — 8 Occ. ἤμεθα — 5 Occ. ἦν — 315 Occ. ἦς — 7 Occ. ἦσαν — 95 Occ. ἦσθα — 2 Occ. ἦτε — 19 Occ. ἤτω — 2 Occ. |
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