Understanding “The Law” in the Bible Like Its Writers Did

Our series on “The Law” in the Bible starts today with a look at understanding what the Bible means when it references “the Law.”

We’ll look at this topic in two episodes. In this episode (part 1), we’re going to look at:

• The different ways Biblical writers use the term “the law.”
• The four primary concepts behind the phrase.
• How these ideas relate to Hebrew culture at different points in time.

Letting Scripture Lead the Way

It’s easy to take what we know about an idea – such as the law in the Bible and apply it to all instances of that word or idea.

This approach can easily lead us into reading the Bible through a lens we brought to the reading, rather than letting the Bible teach us.

Understanding these the different concepts behind the “law in the Bible” will help you avoid unintentionally putting constraints around the Word as you read and process.

How to Apply What We Learn

At the end of this episode, we’ll have a full picture of Jewish cultural concepts around the Law. We’ll understand what is so central about these ideas, and how they have impacted dozens of themes, stories, and characters in the Bible.

The Big Ideas and Helpful Highlights of The Law in the Bible

Four Concepts Behind “The Law” in the Bible

1) The idea of guidance, teaching, instruction

Represents the reality that God gave the Hebrew people guidance about how to live rightly – as a part of their existence of God’s chosen people

2) Reference to specific law or bodies of the Law

Most are in the pentateuch – e.g. Mosaic Law

3) Reference to a specific portion of the Hebrew scripture / TANAKH / OT

“The 5 books of Moses” aka the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy

4) Referencing an era for the Hebrews, between creation and Jesus

Paul’s way of referencing the Law in his letters are a great example

How This Helps You Read the Bible Better

With an understanding of these concepts – and how they’re distinguished from one another – we can look at  the law in the Bible and explore what possible meanings might be applied in different scriptures

Looking at these references between NT & OT writers can help us get a bigger sense of what the Bible is trying to communicate. Asking questions about what these writers might intend in a specific context – and then digging further – is a fun way to explore the Word

How to Learn Even More as You Read

You can learn practices designed to help you dig into passages from different angles with my FREE Guide “5 Practices for Engaging Bible Study.” Sign up for your download here!

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My goal for all of us: #ReadTheBibleBetter

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