Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5514 scribes

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.

The duties of scribes

Writing records, legal contracts, letters and accounts

See also 2 Samuel 8:16 pp 1 Chronicles 18:15; 1 Kings 4:3; 2 Kings 12:10 pp 2 Chronicles 24:11; Jeremiah 32:12; Jeremiah 36:26

Advising the king

2 Kings 18:18 pp Isaiah 36:3; 2 Kings 19:2; 1 Chronicles 27:32

Conscripting people to the army

2 Kings 25:19 pp Jeremiah 52:25

Examples of scribes who are mentioned by name

Shaphan

2 Kings 22:8 pp 2 Chronicles 34:18

Baruch

Jeremiah 36:4-32

Ezra

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

Ezra 7:6; Nehemiah 8:1-4,9

Clans or families of scribes

1 Chronicles 2:55

The office of priest and scribe

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

Ezra 7:6; Nehemiah 8:9; Nehemiah 12:26

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 16:21 pp Mark 8:31 pp Luke 9:22; Matthew 26:3 pp Mark 14:1 pp Luke 22:2

Scribes opposed Jesus Christ

Matthew 21:15; Luke 19:47 pp Matthew 21:15 pp Mark 11:18

Jesus Christ condemmed the scribes' hypocrisy

Matthew 23:27-28 See also Matthew 23:1-7 pp Mark 12:38-39 pp Luke 20:45-46

See also

2545  Christ, opposition to
5266  conscription
5384  lawyer
5391  letters
5638  writing
5779  advice
5780  advisers
7464  teachers of the law
7565  Sanhedrin
8767  hypocrisy