The term "lettered" in a biblical context often refers to individuals who are educated or learned, particularly in the Scriptures and religious law. This concept is significant in understanding the roles and responsibilities of religious leaders and scholars in biblical times.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the importance of being lettered is evident in the roles of priests, scribes, and prophets. These individuals were responsible for teaching the Law and guiding the people in spiritual matters. For instance, Ezra is described as a "scribe skilled in the Law of Moses" (Ezra 7:6), highlighting his expertise and authority in interpreting and teaching the Scriptures. The scribes were crucial in preserving and transmitting the sacred texts, ensuring that the people of Israel remained faithful to God's commandments.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the term "lettered" can be associated with the scribes and Pharisees, who were often criticized by Jesus for their legalistic approach to the Law. Despite their extensive knowledge of the Scriptures, they were rebuked for missing the spirit of the Law. Jesus said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter" (Matthew 23:13). This highlights the distinction between mere intellectual knowledge and true understanding and application of God's Word.

The Role of Education

Education and literacy were highly valued in Jewish culture, as they were essential for understanding and obeying God's commandments. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 emphasizes the importance of teaching the Law to one's children: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This passage underscores the responsibility of parents and community leaders to ensure that the next generation is well-versed in the Scriptures.

Paul and the Early Church

The Apostle Paul, a Pharisee by training, was highly lettered in the Jewish Law. His education under Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the Law, equipped him with the knowledge to engage with both Jewish and Gentile audiences. Paul utilized his education to articulate the gospel message and address theological issues within the early church. In Philippians 3:5-6 , Paul recounts his credentials: "circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness under the Law, faultless." Despite his impressive background, Paul considered all his achievements as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8).

Conclusion

The concept of being lettered in the Bible encompasses more than just intellectual knowledge; it involves a deep understanding and application of God's Word. While education and literacy are important, the Scriptures emphasize the need for a heart aligned with God's will and a life that reflects His teachings.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Letter.

2. (a.) Literate; educated; versed in literature.

3. (a.) of or pertaining to learning or literature; learned.

4. (a.) Inscribed or stamped with letters.

Spelling God.
... The four-lettered spelling is for all the world. ... And so we get the right spelling
of our own lives. Then there's the other spelling, the five-lettered, Jesus. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/spelling god.htm

Selection
... Selected and Arranged by ORBY SHIPLEY, MA Plain Cloth, lettered 0 5 6 Edition de
luxe 0 10 6. ANSWERS TO ATHEISTS: OR NOTES ON Ingersoll. ... Cloth, lettered 0 0 10. ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/selection.htm

The Struggler;
... I could have collected abundance more of excellent matter in this table; and I have
placed an Italic-lettered word in every paragraph in the table, to be the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the struggler.htm

Psalm XC.
... 13. But what he addeth, [4266] "and those fettered in heart in wisdom;" other copies
read, "instructed," not "lettered:" the Greek verb, expressing both senses ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xc.htm

The Lessons of the Street.
... Under his teaching nature became an illuminated missal, lettered by the lilies of
the field, and pencilled with hues that played through the leaves of Olivet. ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse i the lessons of.htm

An Ideal Biography.
... Every man of us may be in his life, in the great unconscious influence of his presence,
a clearly lettered signpost pointing men to the Master. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/an ideal biography.htm

A Discourse
... This is the plain matter of fact which Bunyan establishes from the sacred Scriptures,
but he was, as to lettered lore, an unlearned man; at all events, no man ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

God in Human Garb.
... This is part of the meaning of the little five-lettered word in his own tongue that
John chooses and uses, at the first here, as a new name for Him who was ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/god in human garb.htm

Here Beginneth the Prologue
... was never to write such thing unto them, and therefore I would that they meddle
not therewith; neither they, nor any of these curious, lettered, or unlearned ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the prologue.htm

The Fire of Love or Melody of Love, as Translated by Richard Misyn ...
... to make satisfaction, and for increase also of ghostly comfort, to thee and more,
that understand not curiosity [17] of Latin, I, among lettered men simplest ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/the fire of love or.htm

Lettered (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lettered (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 6:9 Have them lettered
on the pillars of your houses and over the doors of your towns. (BBE). ...
/l/lettered.htm - 7k

Letter (112 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) A letter; an epistle. 10. (vt) To impress with letters; to mark with letters
or words; as, a book gilt and lettered. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/l/letter.htm - 40k

Literate (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Instructed in learning, science, or
literature; learned; lettered. 2. (n.) One educated, but not ...
/l/literate.htm - 7k

Sign (181 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) A military emblem carried on a banner or a standard. 10. (n.) A lettered
board, or other conspicuous notice, placed upon or before a building, room ...
/s/sign.htm - 46k

Letters (51 Occurrences)

/l/letters.htm - 23k

Doors (149 Occurrences)
... towns. (BBE YLT). Deuteronomy 6:9 Have them lettered on the pillars of your
houses and over the doors of your towns. (BBE). Deuteronomy ...
/d/doors.htm - 39k

Pillars (132 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Deuteronomy 6:9 Have them lettered on
the pillars of your houses and over the doors of your towns. (BBE). ...
/p/pillars.htm - 39k

Towns (450 Occurrences)
... Manasseh. (BBE). Deuteronomy 6:9 Have them lettered on the pillars of your
houses and over the doors of your towns. (BBE). Deuteronomy ...
/t/towns.htm - 36k

Houses (308 Occurrences)
... ASV RSV). Deuteronomy 6:9 Have them lettered on the pillars of your houses
and over the doors of your towns. (BBE NIV). Continued... ...
/h/houses.htm - 38k

Lettered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus