Experts in the understanding and study of the law of Moses. Scribes had political power in NT times, and sat on the Sanhedrin. They were also referred to as lawyers and teachers of the law. They opposed Jesus Christ, who condemned their hypocrisy.

See also

The duties of scribes

2 Samuel 8:16

Writing records, legal contracts, letters and accounts

1 Kings 4:3
2 Kings 12:10

pp 1Ch 18:15

Jeremiah 32:12; 36:26

pp 2Ch 24:11

2 Kings 18:18

Advising the king

2 Kings 19:2
1 Chronicles 27:32

pp Isa 36:3

2 Kings 25:19

Conscripting people to the army

pp Jer 52:25

2 Kings 22:8

Examples of scribes who are mentioned by name

Shaphan

Jeremiah 36:4-32

pp 2Ch 34:18

Baruch

Ezra 7:6

Ezra

Nehemiah 8:1-4,9

After the exile, scribes became copyists and interpreters of the law:

1 Chronicles 2:55

Clans or families of scribes

Ezra 7:6

The office of priest and scribe

Nehemiah 8:9; 12:26

Up to the time of the Babylonian exile only priests were allowed to be scribes:

Matthew 16:21

Scribes had political power in NT times and sat on the Sanhedrin

By this time, scribes were also referred to as "teachers of the law" and "lawyers":

Matthew 26:3

pp Mk 8:31

pp Lk 9:22

pp Mk 14:1

pp Lk 22:2

Matthew 21:15

Scribes opposed Jesus Christ

Luke 19:47

pp Mt 21:15

pp Mk 11:18

Matthew 23:27-28

Jesus Christ condemmed the scribes' hypocrisy

See also

Matthew 23:1-7

See also

pp Mk 12:38-39

pp Lk 20:45-46

2545 Christ, opposition to
5266 conscription
5385 leisure
5391 letters
5638 writing
5779 advice
5781 affection
7464 teachers of the law
7565 Sanhedrin
8767 hypocrisy