Word: apokuliw

Pronounce: ap-ok-oo-lee'-o

Strongs Number: G617

Orig: from 575 and 2947; to roll away:--roll away (back). G575

Use: Verb

Heb Strong: H1556

1) to roll off or away
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This word is used in the Gospels to refer to the stone that was in front of the tomb of Jesus. In Palestine, graves were usually in a depression and the stone was rolled down an incline to cover the mouth of the tomb. For a small grave, about twenty men were required to roll a stone down hill to cover the door of the tomb. The Bible tells us that the stone covering the door of the tomb was a large stone. The women would have needed more men than even a full Roman guard of sixteen men to roll away the stone. This was a major task.