OT laws and legal traditions govern every aspect of the life of the covenant people of God.

Exodus 21:12-14

Kinds of OT law

Criminal law

Deuteronomy 16:18-20

Criminal law deals with crimes against persons punishable by a court.

Civil law

See also

Deuteronomy 15:12-18

Civil law deals with the upholding in court of legally established rights against possible abuse.

Exodus 22:21-22

Social law

See also

Deuteronomy 24:19-22

Social law deals with behaviour or standards of behaviour which are not strictly enforceable in the courts.

Leviticus 1:10-13; 4:13-21; 7:11-18

Cultic law

Cultic law deals explicitly with the ritual or religious life of the people of God. Leviticus chapters 1-7 are totally devoted to this kind of law:

Exodus 21:2-6

Examples of OT law

Conditions for freeing servants

See also

Exodus 21:3-11

pp Dt 15:12-18

Leviticus 25:39-55
Exodus 21:23-25

See also

Dealing with injuries

Matthew 5:38
Exodus 22:1

See also

Property is to be protected

Leviticus 6:1-7
Luke 19:8
Exodus 22:21

See also

The rights of aliens must be respected

Leviticus 19:33
Deuteronomy 10:19
Exodus 23:2-3

See also

Justice must be universally respected

Leviticus 19:15
Exodus 23:12

See also

The Sabbath must be observed by all

Exodus 20:8-11
Exodus 23:15-16

See also

Three annual festivals are to be celebrated

Exodus 12:17
Deuteronomy 16:16
Deuteronomy 12:1-7; 13:6-8

Worship must be in accordance with God's will and must be kept pure

Leviticus 11:1-23

Certain foods are declared to be unclean

Deuteronomy 14:22

pp Dt 14:3-20

See also

A tenth of all produce must be given to God

Leviticus 27:30
Leviticus 11:44; 19:1-2

See also

Cultic laws are grounded in the holiness of God

1 Peter 1:16
Leviticus 1:3; 2:1-2; 3:1-2; 4:27-28; 5:17-18

Full details were given for each type of offering: burnt, grain, fellowship, sin and guilt offerings. Only perfect animals were to be offered:

Leviticus 13:2; 15:13

Rules governing infectious or contagious diseases

Leviticus 18:6

There must not be unlawful sexual relations

See also

Leviticus 23:26-32

A Day of Atonement must be held

See also

pp Lev 16:2-34

pp Nu 29:7-11

5475 property
6614 atonement
7340 clean and unclean
7402 offerings
7424 ritual law
7434 sacrifice
7446 slavery
8488 tithing
8622 worship