Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5286 custom

An established way or rule (often unwritten) of behaviour, either for an individual or in a society.

Examples of the customs of individuals

1 Samuel 27:11; Job 1:5; Mark 10:1; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2

Examples of group customs

1 Samuel 2:13; 1 Kings 18:28; Luke 1:9; Acts 16:20-21

Examples of social customs

Genesis 29:26 The older daughter is married before the younger; Judges 8:24 The Ishmaelites wore gold ear-rings; Judges 14:10 wedding feasts; Ruth 4:7 exchanging sandals as symbol of closing deals; 1 Samuel 20:25

Court customs:

2 Kings 11:14; Esther 1:13

Mourning customs:

Ezekiel 24:17,22 Matthew 27:15 pp Mark 15:6 pp John 18:39 release of prisoners at Passover

Mary and Joseph obey the customs of the law:

Luke 2:27,42 John 19:40 burial customs; Acts 25:16 Roman legal customs

A custom can commemorate a particular event

Judges 11:39-40; Esther 9:27

God's people are not to follow improper customs

Leviticus 18:30 See also Leviticus 20:23; 2 Kings 17:7-8,19,33,40-41; Esther 3:8; Psalm 106:34-35,40-41; Jeremiah 10:2-3

The issue of whether or not Gentile Christians should follow Jewish customs

Galatians 2:14-16 See also Acts 6:11-14; Acts 15:1-2,28-29; Acts 21:21,24; Acts 28:17; Galatians 4:9-10; Colossians 2:8

See also

5155  hair
5303  embalming
5540  society
5588  traditions
5699  guests
5710  marriage, customs
5769  behaviour
5873  habits
7328  ceremonies
7394  memorial
7422  ritual
8217  conformity