Frequency of the Word "Law" in the Bible
The concept of "law" is a pervasive theme throughout the Bible, with various Hebrew and Greek terms contributing to its rich meaning. The Hebrew word "torah" and the Greek "nomos" are the primary terms translated as "law" in English Bibles [1].
Biblical Frequency and Context
The word "law" appears frequently in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, it is often associated with the Mosaic Law, which includes the commandments, statutes, and ordinances given to Israel through Moses. The Pentateuch, comprising the first five books of the Bible, is particularly replete with references to the law [1, 2].
In the New Testament, the concept of law continues, with the term being used in various contexts, including references to the Mosaic Law, natural law, and the law of Christ. The apostle Paul's writings, especially in Romans and Galatians, extensively discuss the role of the law in the life of believers [3, 7].
Definitions and Interpretations
The law is defined in various ways across different biblical dictionaries and commentaries. According to Smith's Bible Dictionary, the word "law" is used to express a definite commandment laid down by any recognized authority, but when used with the article, it typically refers to the expressed will of God, particularly the Mosaic Law [1].
Easton's Bible Dictionary distinguishes between different types of law, including the Law of Nature, the Ceremonial Law, and the Moral Law. The Ceremonial Law, which prescribed the rites and ceremonies of worship under the Old Testament, is seen as having been fulfilled in Christ and thus no longer obligatory [2].
Theological Perspectives
Theological traditions have interpreted the concept of law in various ways. Reformed theologians like Charles Hodge and John Calvin have discussed the law in the context of covenant theology and the relationship between the law and the gospel. Calvin views the law as a means of revealing God's will and guiding human conduct, while also emphasizing the distinction between the law and the gospel [4, 8].
In the patristic era, writers like Origen and Tertullian engaged with the concept of law, often in the context of debates with Jewish interpreters or in discussions about the relationship between the Old and New Testaments [5].
Frequency and Significance
The frequency of the word "law" in the Bible underscores its significance in biblical theology. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists numerous references to the law, highlighting its importance in understanding God's will and human obedience [3].
The Psalms, particularly Psalm 119, demonstrate a deep appreciation for the law as a source of guidance and wisdom. John Gill's commentary on Psalms notes that the law is seen as a testification of God's will and a means of instruction for believers [6].
Conclusion
The concept of law is a complex and multifaceted theme in the Bible, with various interpretations and emphases across different theological traditions. Understanding the frequency, context, and significance of the word "law" provides insight into the biblical narrative and the ongoing discussions within Christian theology about the role of the law in the life of believers. The law remains a vital aspect of biblical studies, reflecting the enduring importance of God's will and human obedience in the biblical narrative [1, 3].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Law — The word is properly used, in Scripture as elsewhere, to express a definite commandment laid down by any recognized authority; but when the word is used with the article, and without any words of limitation, it refers to the expressed will to God, and in nine cases out of ten to the Mosaic law, or to the Pentateuch of which it forms the chief portion. The Hebrew word torah (law) lays more stress on its moral authority, as teaching the truth and guiding in the right way; the Greek nomos (law), on its constraining power as imposed and enforced by a recognized auth”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Law — A rule of action. (1.) The Law of Nature is the will of God as to human conduct, founded on the moral difference of things, and discoverable by natural light (Rom. 1:20; 2:14, 15). This law binds all men at all times. It is generally designated by the term conscience, or the capacity of being influenced by the moral relations of things. (2.) The Ceremonial Law prescribes under the Old Testament the rites and ceremonies of worship. This law was obligatory only till Christ, of whom these rites were typical, had finished his work (Heb. 7:9, 11; 10:1; Eph. 2:16). I”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Law of God, The — Is absolute and perpetual -- Mt 5:18. Given To Adam. -- Ge 2:16,17; Ro 5:12-14. To Noah. -- Ge 9:6. To the Israelites. -- Ex 20:2-17; Ps 78:5. Through Moses. -- Ex 31:18; Joh 7:19. Through the ministration of angels. -- Ac 7:53; Ga 3:19; Heb 2:2. Described as Pure. -- Ps 19:8. Spiritual. -- Ro 7:14. Holy, just, and good. -- Ro 7:12. Exceeding broad. -- Ps 119:96. Perfect. -- Ps 19:7; Ro 12:2. Truth. -- Ps 119:142. Not grievous. -- 1Jo 5:3. Requires obedience of the heart -- Ps 51:6; Mt 5:28; 22:37. Requires perfect obedience -- De 27:26; Ga 3:10; Ja”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 39: every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” ( Rom. xiv. 3, 4, 5 .) It is a common saying that every man has a pope in his own bosom. That is, the disposition to lord it over God’s heritage is almost universal. Men wish to have their opinions on moral questions made into laws to bind the consciences of their brethren. This is just as much a usurpation of a divine prerogative when done by a private Christian or by a church court, as when done by the Bishop of Rome. We are as much bound to resist it in the one case as”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — A LETTER FROM ORIGEN TO AFRICANUS. (part 15): to the law, and some are condemned to death. And though there is not full licence for this, still it is not done without the knowledge of the ruler, as we learned and were convinced of when we spent much time in the country of that people. And yet the Romans only take account of two tribes, while at that time besides Judah there were the ten tribes of Israel. Probably the Assyrians contented themselves with holding them in subjection, and conceded to them their own judicial processes. 15”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:5: For he established a testimony in Jacob,.... So the law is called, being a testification of the divine will, Exo 25:16 and the Scriptures, the writings of the Old Testament, which testify of Christ, his person, office, sufferings, and death, Isa 8:20 and particularly the Gospel, which is the testimony of God, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of his apostles, Ti2 1:8 which bears witness to the love and grace of God in the salvation of men by Christ; to the dignity of Christ's person, to the fulness of his grace, to each of the offices and relations he bears and stands in ”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 8:2: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,.... These words are of difficult interpretation. They may be understood of the Gospel revealing and declaring deliverance from the law of Moses; wherefore there can be "no condemnation", Rom 8:1, by it. The Gospel may be designed by "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus"; which may be called a law, not as succeeding the law of works, by which that is abrogated; nor as requiring conditions to be performed, or as enjoining duties to be observed, or as delivering out threatenings in case of disobedience; but as i”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: 10:4 11:19 11:19 11:19-20 11:26 12:13 13:9 13:9 14:9 14:14 16:20 16:20 18:4 18:7-8 18:9 18:20 18:20 18:20 18:20 18:20 18:21 18:21 18:21-22 18:23 18:23 18:24 18:24 18:27 18:31 18:32 18:32 20:10 20:12 20:43-44 22:25-26 28:10 29:4 34:4 34:23 34:24 34:25 36:22 36:22 36:22 36:25 36:26 36:26 36:26-27 36:32 37:4 37:24-26 48:21 48:35 Daniel 2:21 2:34 2:37 2:37-38 2:44 4:17 4:25 4:27 4:27 5:18-19 6:22 7:9 7:10 7:10 7:10 7:25 9 9:5 9:7 9:18 9:18-20 9:20 9:24 9:24 9:26-27 9:27 10:13 10:13 10:20 10:21 12:1 12:1-2 12:2 12:3 Hosea 1:11 2:2 2:9 ”