LAWS IN THE BIBLE

I
Forms of Government
II
Citizenship Under the Theocracy
III
Laws of the Theocracy
IV
Criminal Laws
V
Laws Pertaining to Domestic Relations
VI
Estates - Descent and Distribution Laws
VII
Social Security and Welfare Laws
VIII
Laws Pertaining to Contracts
IX
Religious Laws
X
Laws Pertaining to Legal Procedure
XI
Tort Laws
XII
Laws of Sanitation and Cleanliness
XIII
Laws Pertaining to Animals
XIV
Laws Concerning Interest and Loans


I. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

A. Patriarchal
    The family being the unit of life,
    the father as head of the family was the authoritative ruler
Judg. 11:29-40
Job 1:5
B. Theocracy
    God was the direct ruler of His people
Ex 19:3-8
C. Government by judges
    The people forgot God. God chastised them by selling them into slavery to their enemies.
    Upon repentance God raised up military chieftains as deliverers
Judg. 2:13-18
D. Monarchy
    This was begun by the coronation of Saul,
    reached its height in David and Solomon, and ended with the Babyolonian captivity.
1Sam 10:24


II. CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE THEOCRACY

A. Israelites
    Those of Israel who ratified the covenant of Sinai,
    and later their children, were entitled to the rights of citizenship
Ex 19:5-8
Deut 6:1-9
B. Moabites and Ammonites excluded
Deut 23:3
C. Edomites and Egyptians in the third generation were eligible
Deut 23:7,8


III. LAWS OF THE THEOCRACY

A. Pertaining to citizenship
1. Law applied equally to strangers as to natives
Lev 24:22
Num 15:22-30
2. Jew not to marry a stranger
Gen 34:14
3. Strangers could own slaves
Lev 25:47-55
B. Pertaining to slavery
1. Slaves obtained
a. Captured in war
Num 31:7-11
b. Inherited
Lev 25:46
c. Bought
Ex 21:2
d. Sold for debt or theft
Ex 22:3
Deut 15:12
2. How to treat slaves
a. Israelites could be redeemed from slavery
Lev 25:47-55
b. Jewish slaves to be set free in Year of Jubilee
Lev 25:39-41
c. Regarded as part of owner's household and possession
Gen 12:16
Ex 20:17
d. Could be struck by master
Ex 21:20,21
e. Fugitive not to be returned
Deut 23:15,16
1Sam 30:15
f. Freed if ill-treated
Ex 21:26,27
g. To enjoy the Sabbath
Ex 20:10
C. Pertaining to taxation
1. Census taken
Luke 2:1-3
2. Purpose of taxes
a. Valuation of persons
Lev 27:1-13
b. Temple service
Ex 30:11-16
2Chr 24:6,9
c. Taxes
Matt 22:15-21
Rom 13:6,7
3. Amount of taxes
1Sam 8:10-18
4. Priests and attendants exempt
Ezra 7:24
D. Military laws
1. Age of soldiers
Num 1:2,3; 26:2
2. Selective draft
Num 31:3-7
3. Exemption from service
a. Levites
Num 1:49
b. Certain individuals
Deut 20:5-7
c. Fainthearted
Deut 20:8
4. Cleanliness in camp
Num 31:19,20
Deut 23:9-14
5. Regulations in battle
a. Notice to be given
Deut 20:10,11
b. Fruit trees spared
Deut 20:19,20
c. Treatment of captives
Num 21:2,3,35;
31:17,18
Deut 20:14-18
Josh 11:14
d. Plunder
Deut 20:14
e. Indemnity
2King 3:4


IV CRIMINAL LAWS

A. Crimes against the public
1. Bribery
Ex 23:8
Deut 16:19
Prov 17:23
2. Contempt for the law
Num 15:30
Deut 6:16,17
    Penalty
Deut 17:12,13
3. Perjury
Ex 20:16
Lev 19:12
    Penalty
Deut 19:16-20
4. Perverting or obstructing justice
Ex 23:1,2,6
Lev 19:15
Ps 82:2
    Penalty
Deut 16:19,20
5. Conspiracy
2Sam 15:10-12
B. Crimes of immoral acts
1. Adultery
Ex 20:14
Deut 5:18
    Penalty
Lev 20:10
Deut 22:22-25
2. Rape
Deut 22:25,26
    Penalty
Deut 22:25-29
3. Prostitution
Deut 23:17
    Penalty
Lev 19:29; 21:9
4. Seduction
Ex 22:16,17
    Penalty
Deut 22:28,29
5. Incest
Lev 18:6-18
Deut 22:30
    Penalty
Lev 20:11-21
6. Sodomy
Lev 18:22,23
Deut 23:17
    Penalty
Ex 22:19
Lev 20:13,15,16
C. Crimes against persons
1. Murder
Ex 20:13
    Penalty
Gen 9:6
Ex 21:12
2. Manslaughter
Ex 21:12-14
Josh 20:3-6
    Penalty
Num 35:11, 22-28
3. Assault
Ex 21:18-26
    Penalty
Ex 21:19-27
4. Kidnapping
Ex 21:16
Deut 24:7
5. Slander
Lev 19:16
D. Crimes against property
1. Stealing
Ex 20:15
22:1-12
Deut 23:24,25
2. Arson
Ex 22:6
3. Moving a landmark
Deut 19:14


V. LAWS PERTAINING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS

A. Marriage
1. Ordained by God
Gen 1:27,28;
2:18,24
2. Within the tribe
Num 36:6
3. Polygamy forbidden
1Cor 7:2
1Tm 3:2
4. Marriage forbidden with:
a. Stepmother
Lev 18:8; 20:11
b. Aliens
Ex 34:13-17
Deut 7:-3
c. Sister
Lev 20:17
d. Aunt
Lev 20:19
e. Grandchild
Lev 18:10
f. Daughter-in-law
Lev 18:15
5. Divorce
Lev 21:7; 22:13
Is 50:1
1Cor 7:10,11
a. Not to remarry woman divorced by another man
Deut 24:1-4
b. For committing adultery
Jer 3:8
Matt 19:3-9
Mark 10:2-12
Luke 16:8
B. Parent and child
1. Father has authority over child
Num 30:3-5
2. Father to arrange marriage
Gen 24:2-4
3. Parents to educate
Deut 21:18-21
Prov 22:6
Eph 6:4
4. Parents to discipline
Deut 21:18-21
Prov 22:15
5. Children to honor parents
Ex 20:12; 21:15
6. Children to be regarded as gift of God
Gen 33:5; 48:9
Josh 24:3
7. Penalty for children who dishonor parents
Lev 20:9
Deut 21:18-21


VI. ESTATES -
DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION LAWS

A. Inheritance
1. Sons inherit father's estate
Gen 21:10-13
1Chr 5:1
2. Double portion to firstborn
Deut 21:15-17
3. Wife not heir, bud ascends with property to next of kin.
Ruth 4:1-12
4. Daughters heirs when no sons
Num 27:8,9
5. When no sons or daughters, inheritance to nearest relative
Num 27:9-11
B. Real property - titles
1. Real Estate
a. Land divided among tribes
Num 26:52-56
Josh 14:5
b. Not transferable
Num 36:6-9
c. Not permanently sold
Lev 25:23-28
d. Value of land according to years after Jubilee
Lev 25:25,16
e. Release of land
Lev 25:8-34
f. Mode of transfer
(1) Deed made
Jer 32:9-14
(2) Taking off sandal
Ruth 4:3-11
(3) Deed delivered in presence of witnesses
Jer 32:10,12
(4) Deed recorded
Jer 32:14
2. Personal property
(All property which is moveable, as against real property such as houses and lands)
a. Sale recognized
Lev 25:14
b. Pledges of:
(1) Children given as
2Kin 4:1-7
(2) Upper and lower millstone prohibited
Deut 24:6
(3) Not retained overnight
Ex 22:26,27
Deut 24:13
(4) Volutary
Deut 24:10,11


VII. SOCIAL SECURITY AND WELFARE LAWS

A. Widows and orphans
Ex 22:22,23
Deut 14:28,29
Acts 6:1-4
1Tim 5:3-16
1. Widow to marry nearest relative
Deut 25:5-10
2. Widow and orphans not to be oppressed
Zech 7:9-12
Mal 3:5
B. Neighbors
Lev 19:13
C. The poor
Ex 22:25-27
Lev 19:9,10
Deut 15:7-11
Luke 3:11;
14:13,14
D. Strangers or aliens
Lev 19:33,34
Deut 24:19-22
Zech 7:9-12
E. Poor and needy
Deut 24:14,15
F. Servants
Deut 24:14,15
G. Handicapped
1. Blind
Lev 19:14
Deut 27:18
Luke 14:13,14
2. Deaf
Lev 19:14
3. Lame
Luke 14:12-14


VIII. LAWS PERTAINING TO CONTRACTS

A. Debts
Ex 22:25
Deut 15:1-3
Neh 5:10,11
B. With Neighbors
Deut 15:1-3
C. With Foreigners
Deut 15:1-3
D. Interest
Ex 22:25
Lev 25:35-37
Deut 23:19,20
Ezek 18:10-13
E. Loans
Ex 22:25
Deut 23:19,20
2Kin 4:1-7
Neh 5:2-5
F. Mortgages
Neh 5:2-5
G. Pledges
(See VI B 2)
H. Sales
Lev 25:14
I. Sales of land
Lev 25:23-28
Ruth 4:3-11
Jer 32:9-14
J. Of servitude
Ex 21:2-4
Deut 15:12
K. Sureties
Prov 6:1,2;
17:18


IX. RELIGIOUS LAWS

A. Clean and unclean meat
lev 11:2-31
Deut 14:3-21
B. Forbidden foods
1. Fat and blood
Lev 17:10-14
2. Flesh torn by beasts
Ex 22:31
3. Fruit of young trees
Lev 19:23-25
C. Sacred obligations
1. Firstborn
Ex 34:19,20
2. Firstfruits
Ex 34:26
Deut 18:4
3. Tithes
Gen 14:19,20
Lev 27:30-33
2Chr 31:4-12
Mal 3:8-11
Matt 23:23
4. Atonement money
Ex 30:12-16
5. Freewill offering
Lev 2217-20
Num 15:1-4
D. Sacred calendar
1. Sabbath
Gen 2:1-3
Ex 16:23
Lev 23:3
Num 29:9,10
Deut 5:12-15
Neh 10:31
zek 46:3
a. Punsihmentfor not keeping
Num 15:32-36
b. Made for man
Mark 2:23-28
c. Healing on the Sabbath
Luke 13:14-17;
14:3-5
John 5:8-16
2. Passover
Ex 2:1-14
Deut 16:1-8
Ezed 45:21,24
Luke 22:7-8
3. Feast of Unleavened Bread
Ex 34:18
4. Feasts of Weeks
Deut 16:9-11
5. Feast of Tabernacles
Lev 23:33-44
Num 29:12-40
Deut 16:13-17
6. Sabbatical Year
Ex 21:2-6;
23:10,11
Lev 25:1-7
Deut 15:1-14
2Chr 36:21
Neh 10:31
7. Day of Atonement
Lev 23:26-32
E. Crimes against God
1. Worship of false gods
Ex 20:1-5
    Penalty
Ex 22:20
2. Spiritualism
Lev 20:27
    Penalty
Ex 22:18
3. Blasphemy
Lev 24:16
Deut 5:11
    Penalty
Lev 24:16


X. LAWS PERTAINING TO
LEGAL PROCEDURE

A. Judges appointed
Ex 18:13-26
2Chr 19:4-11
1. Moses, first judge
Ex 18:13-27
2. Preists judge in small matters
Ex 18:22
3. King as judge
1Kin 7:1-7
B. Submission of cases
1. Ordinary cases submitted to judges
Deut 25:1,2
2. Exceptional cases taken to Levitical preiest for verdict
Deut 17:8-11
3. Extreme cases submitted to the Lord for decision
Num 5:11-31
4. Judges must not pervert justice
Ex 23:6-8
5. Bribery forbidden
Deut 16:18-20
C. Where courts were held
1. At gate of city
Deut 21:19
2. In Hall of Judgment
1Kin 7:7
D. Judgments
1. Regarded as from God
Deut 1:17
2. Righteous to be justified and wicked condemned
Deut 25:1
3. Sentence to be executed
Deut 25:2,3
E. Appeals
1. To Moses
Ex 18:26
2. To Priests
Deut 17:8-11
3. To the King
1Kin 3:16-27
F. Damages
1. For disfiguring a person
Lev 24:19,20
2. For stealing
Ex 22:4,5
3. Kindling a fire which destroys property
Ex 22:6
4. Breach of trust
Lev 6:1-5
5. Killing an animal
Ex 21:35,36
Lev 24:18,21
6. Loss of animal falling into pit
Ex 21:33,34
7. Loss of borrowed property
Ex 22:14
G. Methods of punishment
1. Infliction in kind
Gen 9:6
Lev 24:19,20
2. Burning
Lev 20:14
3. Mutilation
Deut 25:11,12
4. Hanging
Deut 21:22,23
5. Stoning
Lev 24:16
6. Beating
Deut 25:2,3
7. Excommunication
Ezra 10:8
8. Imprisonment
Ezra 7:26
9. Compensation for damages
Ex 21:19,32,36
10. Restitution for stolen or borrowed property
Ex 22:12,14,15
H. Method of protection
1. Cities of refuge appointed
Num 35:6-15
2. Protection till trial could be held
Num 35:12
3. Murderer unprotected
Num 35:30,31
4. Unintentional manslayer remained in city of refuge till death of high priest
Josh 20:1-6


XI. TORT LAWS

A. Assault
Ex 21:18,19
B. Compensation
Ex 21:18,19,32
C. Damage by animals
Ex 21:32
D. Damage by fire
Ex 22:6
E. Injury to animals
Ex 21:33-36
Lev 24:18,21
F. Loss of borrowed property
Ex 22:14,15
G. Personal injury
Lev 24:19,20
H. Rights of strangers
Lev 24:22


XII. LAWS OF SANITATION AND CLEANLINESS

A. Cleansing of the woman after childbirth Lev 12:1-8
B. Test for leprosy Lev 13:1-59
C. Cleansing of the leper's house Lev 14:33-57
D. Cleansing of males with discharge Lev 15:1-15
E. Laws concerning the woman during menstruation Lev 15:24-33


XIII. LAWS PERTAINING TO ANIMALS

A. Beasts of burden Ex 23:12
Deut 25:4
B. Beasts of the field Ex 23:11
C. Mother and young Lev 22:28
Deut 22:6,7
D. Enemy's animals Ex 23:4,5
Deut 22:4


XIV. LAWS CONCERNING INTEREST AND LOANS

Interest on money was called usury in biblical times.
(Now usury means excess interest.)
A. Taking of interest forbidden among Jews
(The money was borrowed for relief of distress)
Ex 22:25
Deut 23:19,20
B. Allowed to be taken from foreigners
(Money was borrowed by foreigner to develop trade)
Deut 23:20
C. Property returned without interest Neh 5:11-13
D. Differing weights and measures forbidden Deut 25:13-16

The Open Bible Thomas Nelson Publishers


The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Edition: Wednesday, 29-Jul-2015 17:23:12 EDT