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Scribes

/SKRYBZ/

Summary

Professional transcribers and interpreters of the law who became powerful teachers in Israel, often allied with Pharisees in opposing Jesus while adding burdensome traditions to Scripture.

☩Earlier Scribes

In earlier periods, scribes served various functions: secretaries and clerks skilled in writing, the king's official recorders and communicators of royal commands, and mustering officers of the army. Seraiah was David's scribe; similar officers served later kings. The term designated anyone skilled in writing and accounts.

Key verses:2 Samuel 8:172 Samuel 20:252 Kings 12:10-122 Kings 25:19

☩Scribes as Teachers

After the exile, especially in New Testament times, scribes became a class educated to preserve, copy, and expound the sacred books. Ezra was 'a ready scribe in the law of Moses.' They interpreted difficult passages, decided ceremonial cases, and added glosses and traditions that often made void God's law. Jewish writers called them 'schoolmasters of the nation,' holding familiar discussions in every town. Many were members of the Sanhedrin, often mentioned with chief priests and elders.

Key verses:Ezra 7:6Matthew 2:4Matthew 5:20Matthew 7:29Matthew 15:1-6

☩Opposition to Christ

The scribes bitterly opposed Jesus, testing Him with questions, challenging His authority, and conspiring in His death. He reproved their hypocrisy repeatedly in the strongest terms, condemning their love of titles, their burden-making traditions, and their spiritual blindness. Yet Jesus acknowledged that some scribes could be 'instructed unto the kingdom of heaven' and that God would send prophetic scribes.

Key verses:Matthew 23:1-33Matthew 26:3, 57Mark 12:28Matthew 13:52Matthew 23:34

Related Verses82 mentions

Matthew· 24 verses

2:45:207:299:312:38

Mark· 21 verses

1:222:62:163:227:1

Luke· 15 verses

5:215:306:79:2211:44

2 Kings· 5 verses

12:1018:3719:222:125:19

See Also

Levites
Levites
Secretary
Secretary

References

  1. 1.American Tract Society, "Scribe," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).
  2. 2.Charles Buck, "Scribe," in A Theological Dictionary (Charles Buck (London), 1802).
  3. 3.Charles Buck, "Scribe," in A Theological Dictionary (Charles Buck (London), 1802).
  4. 4.American Tract Society, "Scribe," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).
  5. 5.Edwin W. Rice, "Scribe," in The People's Dictionary of the Bible (American Sunday-School Union, 1893).
  6. 6.American Tract Society, "Scribe," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).
  7. 7.American Tract Society, "Scribe," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).
  8. 8.Edwin W. Rice, "Scribe," in The People's Dictionary of the Bible (American Sunday-School Union, 1893).
  9. 9.Edwin W. Rice, "Scribe," in The People's Dictionary of the Bible (American Sunday-School Union, 1893).
  10. 10.Edwin W. Rice, "Scribe," in The People's Dictionary of the Bible (American Sunday-School Union, 1893).