PAPYRUS (Gr. papyros). A plantlike reed or rush that grows in swamps and along rivers or lakes, often to the height of 12 feet (almost 4 m.) with beautiful flowers at the top.

In ancient times it was found mainly along the Nile in Egypt but was also known in Palestine.

For commercial use the stalk was cut into sections about one foot (one-third m.) long, and these pieces were then sliced lengthwise into thin strips, which were shaped and squared and laid edge to edge to form a larger piece.

Other strips were laid horizontally over these strips and both were pressed together, dried in the sun, scraped, and rubbed until there emerged a smooth yellowish sheet much like our heavy wrapping paper, only thicker and heavier.

The juice of the pith served as the glue, but sometimes other paste was added.

Papyrus becomes brittle with age and easily decays, especially when damp.

This is why the autographs of the NT writings have perished.

They may also have been literally read to pieces or during persecution deliberately destroyed.

But thousands of ancient papyri have been found in the dry sands of Egypt and elsewhere.

Our libraries contain large collections of both biblical and secular papyri-Bible texts, legal documents, marriage contracts, letters, etc.

Many of the NT papyri antedate all other codices.

Examples are the Rylands Papyrus, the famous Chester Beatty Papyri, and the more recent Bodmer Papyrus of the Gospel of John.

They have added much to our knowledge of the Greek language and the text of the NT.

* - Return to the Evidences page.