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G974 · Greek · New Testament
βιβλαρίδιον
Biblaridion
Noun, neuter
Little book, small scroll

Definition

Biblaridion (βιβλαρίδιον) is the diminutive of biblion, meaning a little book or small scroll. It appears in Revelation 10:2, 8–10 as the "little scroll" held by the mighty angel, which John is commanded to eat. The scroll was "sweet as honey" in his mouth but turned his stomach bitter — symbolizing the bittersweet nature of prophetic ministry.

Usage & Theological Significance

The eating of the scroll in Revelation 10 directly parallels Ezekiel's scroll-eating (Ezekiel 2:8–3:3) — a common prophetic commissioning motif. God's word must be internalized before it can be proclaimed. The sweetness represents the joy of receiving divine revelation; the bitterness represents the hard, painful content the prophet must declare to the nations. This biblaridion points to the full counsel of God which is simultaneously glorious and sobering. Every preacher of God's word experiences this tension: the gospel is the sweetest news imaginable, yet it includes the reality of sin, judgment, and repentance.

Key Bible Verses

Revelation 10:2 He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.
Revelation 10:9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, 'Take it and eat it.'
Revelation 10:10 I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.
Ezekiel 3:3 Then he said to me, 'Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.' So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.
Jeremiah 15:16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight.

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