Gavin Howe
Scripture speaks of many laws, including the Law of Moses, the law of sin and death, the law of God, the law of righteousness, the law of love, and the royal law. The Bible also refers to the law, which harks back to the Old Testament and the hundreds of commands given to the Israelites. The phrase the law specifically refers to the compilation of decrees found in the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Torah. The threefold division of the Law is commonly defined as the moral law, the ceremonial law, and the civil law. The Ten Commandments are the most well-known legal rules found in the Bible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of commandments in the Old Testament Law | 613 |
| Number of commandments in the Decalogue | 150 |
| Number of commandments still capable of being observed today | 306.5 |
| Number of commandments in the New Testament | 2 |
| Number of commandments that are enduring features of secular law | 4 |
| Number of commandments that are purely religious mandates | 4 |
| Number of commandments that state social ideals | 2 |
| Number of types of law | 3 |
| Types of law | Moral law, ceremonial law, civil law |
| Number of laws God has established | 6 |
| Types of laws established by God | Law of Moses, law of sin and death, law of God, law of righteousness, law of love, royal law |
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What You'll Learn
The Law of Moses
The content of the Law of Moses is spread across the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, and is reiterated and added to in Deuteronomy. The law covers moral laws, such as those on murder, theft, adultery, honesty, and homosexuality; social laws, such as those on property, inheritance, marriage, and divorce; food laws, which dictate what is clean and unclean, and how to cook and store food; purity laws, which cover menstruation, seminal emissions, skin disease, and mildew; and feasts, including the Day of Atonement, Passover, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
The foundation of the Law of Moses is the Ten Commandments, which were written on tablets of stone and placed within the ark of the covenant. The Ten Commandments are foundational to the rest of the Law, covering the relationship between God and the people of the covenant, their families, and the other members of the covenant community and the world at large. The "greatest commandment" from the Law of Moses, as declared by Jesus, is "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength".
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The Law of God
Scripture speaks of the "law of God" in at least five distinguishable but related ways. Firstly, the "law of God" is understood in terms of who God is as the Creator and Lord, and the covenantal context of his instructions and demands for his people. This law is not separate from God but is tied to his very nature as the moral standard of the universe, giving him the right and authority to hold his moral creatures accountable to his commands.
Secondly, the "law of God" is understood in the context of covenant relationships. The law is predominantly tied to covenants, from the creation of Adam to the new creation in Christ. The law is not just a set of rules but the laws of the covenant community, and when the law was transgressed, the covenant was broken, and so was the relationship with God.
Thirdly, the "law of God" refers to his specific commands and demands from us, as seen in his command to Adam, which was more than a one-time instruction. God's demand on Adam, and by extension, all humanity, is to love him and our neighbors as ourselves.
Fourthly, the "law of God" is understood in terms of its revelatory character. The law reveals to us the Law-Giver, and it is through the law that we understand the difference between good and evil and the kind of life that our love for God and our neighbor would require.
Lastly, the "law of God" is understood in its fulfillment in the new covenant and the law of Christ. While the Old Testament law looked forward to the sacrifice that would fulfill it, the New Testament refers back to this old situation, highlighting the new situation of forgiveness by Christ's mercy.
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The Ten Commandments
The biblical narrative describes how God revealed the Ten Commandments to the Israelites at Mount Sinai amidst thunder and fire, giving Moses two stone tablets inscribed with the law. Moses later broke these tablets in anger after witnessing the worship of a golden calf. He then received a second set of tablets to be placed in the Ark of the Covenant.
- I AM THE LORD THY GOD: THOU SHALT NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME. COMMANDS: faith, hope, love, and worship of God; reverence for holy things; prayer. FORBIDS: idolatry; superstition; spiritism; tempting God; sacrilege; attendance at false worship.
- THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN. COMMANDS: reverence in speaking about God and holy things; the keeping of oaths and vows. FORBIDS: blasphemy; the irreverent use of God's name; speaking disrespectfully of holy things; false oaths and the breaking of vows.
- KEEP THE SABBATH HOLY. COMMANDS: going to church on Sundays and holy days of obligation. FORBIDS: missing church through one's own fault; unnecessary servile work on Sunday and holy days of obligation.
- HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER. COMMANDS: love; respect; obedience on the part of children; care on the part of parents for the spiritual and temporal welfare of their children; obedience to civil and religious superiors. FORBIDS: hatred of parents and superiors; disrespect; disobedience.
- THOU SHALT NOT KILL.
- THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.
- THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.
- THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOUR. COMMANDS: truthfulness; respect for the good name of others; the observance of secrecy when required. FORBIDS: lying; injury to the good name of others; slander; talebearing; rash judgment; contemptuous speech and the violation of secrecy.
- THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOUR'S HOUSE.
- THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOUR'S WIFE, SERVANT, OR ANY OF HIS POSSESSIONS.
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Moral, ceremonial and civil laws
The Bible does not focus primarily on secular law, but its teachings have influenced legal systems worldwide. The Bible's lessons for social norms are complex, emphasizing respect for authority and traditional social hierarchies that kept slaves, servants, the poor, and women in subordinate roles. Other passages, however, advocate for fairness and avoiding the corruption that wealth and power can bring.
The Old Testament refers to a body of law known as "the law" or Torah, encompassing hundreds of commands given to the Israelites. This law was seen as a solemn covenant between God and his chosen people, and obedience to it was essential to maintaining their relationship with God. The law included moral, ceremonial, and civil or judicial components.
Moral laws, or mishpatim, relate to justice and judgment and are based on God's holy nature. They are considered eternal and binding, promoting the welfare of those who obey. Examples include the Ten Commandments, which prohibit murder, adultery, theft, and false testimony, among other things.
Ceremonial laws include memorial festivals, sacrifices, and rituals specific to the culture and place of the Israelites. Christians are generally not bound by these laws, as they are seen as pointing to Christ and becoming abrogated after his death and resurrection.
Civil or judicial laws provide systematic procedures for acknowledging God's holiness and mankind's sinfulness. They include guidelines for selecting judges and addressing legal matters. While some Christians view these laws as binding only on non-Israelite nations, others see them as reflecting natural law.
While the number of commandments in the Old Testament Law is often cited as 613, there is no universal agreement on this number, and the Bible does not provide a specific count.
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The law of conscience
The concept of conscience is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, however, there are verses that allude to the idea of an inner moral compass that guides one's actions and decisions. This inner moral compass can be interpreted as the "law of conscience," which is the understanding of right and wrong that individuals hold within themselves.
In the Bible, the apostle Paul discusses the idea of "the law" and how it relates to the Gospel. He emphasizes that the law is necessary to guide people towards good actions and away from sin. According to Paul, the law is made for "lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful" (1 Timothy 1:9). He also highlights the importance of using the law properly, suggesting that it should be followed in a way that aligns with one's conscience and love for God and others.
The Bible contains numerous commandments and mandates that can be seen as guidelines for moral and ethical behaviour. For example, the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, include prohibitions against murder, adultery, theft, and bearing false witness. These commandments form a fundamental part of both religious and secular law, providing a framework for ethical behaviour.
Additionally, the Bible also acknowledges the complexity of social norms and the existence of underlying equality among all people. While some passages emphasize respect for authority and traditional social hierarchies, others advocate for fairness and avoiding the potential corruption that wealth and power can bring. This highlights a nuanced understanding of conscience and moral behaviour, recognizing that conscience is not always aligned with social structures.
The concept of conscience is also reflected in the New Testament, where "the law" refers to the previous situation in which obedience to commandments was seen as a path to acceptance by God. The apostle Paul contrasts this with the idea of forgiveness and grace that believers receive through Christ's sacrifice. This new covenant suggests that following "the law" is not enough for salvation, but that a person's conscience and relationship with God are also crucial.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bible makes reference to many laws, but it is hard to say how many distinct laws there are in total. The number 613 is often cited as the number of commandments in the Old Testament, but there is no verse in the Bible that confirms this.
The Bible refers to three types of laws: moral, ceremonial, and civil. The Ten Commandments are an example of moral law. Ceremonial laws focus on the worship of Israel and cleanliness. Civil laws focus on governing Israel and include laws about judges, slavery, and human behaviour.
The Bible contains many laws, including those that prohibit murder, adultery, theft, and the giving of false testimony. Other laws are religious in nature, such as the law to worship no other gods and to keep the Sabbath holy.
