The Laws of the Bible

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. 11:29–40 251 Job 1:5

B. Theocracy. God was the direct ruler of His people ................... Ex. 19:3–8 72

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. 2:13–18 240

D. Monarchy. This was begun by the coronation of Saul, reached its height in David and Solomon, and ended with the Babylonian captivity ................... 1 Sam. 10:24 279

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. 6:1–9 180

B. Moabites and Ammonites excluded ............... Deut. 23:3 195

C. Edomites and Egyptians in the third generation were eligible ............ Deut. 23:7, 8 195

III. LAWS OF THE THEOCRACY

A. Pertaining to citizenship

1. Law applied equally to strangers as to natives .................... Lev. 24:22 121 Num. 15:29–30 147
2. Jew not to marry a stranger ..................... Gen. 34:14 35
3. Strangers could own slaves .................... Lev. 25:47–55 123

B. Pertaining to slavery

1. Slaves obtained
- a. Captured in war ............ Num. 31:7–11 164
- b. Inherited .................... Lev. 25:46 123
- c. Bought .................... Ex. 21:2 75
- d. Sold for debt or theft ............. Ex. 22:3 Deut. 15:12 189
2. How to treat slaves
- a. Israelites could be redeemed from slavery .................. Lev. 25:47–55 123
- b. Jewish slaves to be set free in Year of Jubilee .......... Lev. 25:39–41 122
- c. Regarded as part of owner’s household and possessions ... Gen. 12:16 Ex. 20:17
- d. Could be struck by master ..................... Ex. 21:20, 21
- e. Fugitive not be returned.........Deut. 23:15:15,16 195
  1 sam. 30:15 299
- f. Freed if ill-treated...... Ex. 21:26,27 74
- g. To enjoy the Sabbath........... Ex. 20:10 73

C. Pertaining to taxation

1. Census tax ..................... Ex. 30:12–16 86
2. Purpose of taxes
- a. Valuation of persons .................. Lev. 27:1–13 125
- b. Temple service ......... Ex. 30:12–16 86
- c. Taxes ................. 2 Chr. 24:6, 9 477
3. Amount of taxes .......... Rom. 13:6, 7 1153
4. Priests and attendants exempt ............. Ezra 7:24 470

D. Military laws

1. Age of soldiers ............. Num. 31:3 162
2. Selective draft .............. Num. 1:2 132
3. Exemption from service
- a. Levites ............... Num. 1:49 133
- b. Fainthearted ......... Deut. 20:8 194
4. Cleanliness in camp ......... Deut. 23:9–14 195
5. Regulations in battle
- a. Notice to be given ..................... Deut. 20:10, 11 194
- b. Fruit trees spared ........ Deut. 20:19, 20 195
- c. Treatment of captives .................. Num. 21:2, 3, 35, 153 31:7, 17–18 164 Deut. 20:14–18 Josh. 11:14 204–198 2 Kin. 3:4 364
- d. Plunder ................. Deut. 20:14 193
- e. Indemnity .............. 2 Kin. 3:4 364

IV. CRIMINAL LAWS

A. Crimes against the public

1. Bribery ............... Ex. 23:8 76 Deut. 16:19 181 Prov. 17:23 660
2. Contempt for the law ........ Num. 15:30–31 147 Deut. 6:16, 17 181
3. Perjury ................. Ex. 20:16 74 Deut. 19:16–20 192
4. Perverting or obstructing justice .......... Ex. 23:1–3 76 Lev. 19:15 116 Deut. 16:19, 20 181
5. Conspiracy ............. 2 Sam. 15:10–12 317

B. Crimes of immoral acts

1. Adultery .................. Ex. 20:14 73 Deut. 5:18 177
Penalty ..................... Deut. 22:20–25 195

LAWS OF THE BIBLE

2. Rape .................... Deut. 22:25, 26 195
Penalty .................... Deut. 22:25–29 195

3. Prostitution .............. Lev. 19:29 116
Penalty .................... Deut. 23:17 195

4. Seduction .................... Ex. 22:16, 17 75
Penalty .................... Deut. 22:28, 29 195

5. Incest .................... Lev. 20:11–21 117
Penalty .................... Lev. 20:11–21 117

6. Sodomy .................... Deut. 23:17 195
Penalty .................... Lev. 20:13 116

C. Crimes against persons

1. Murder .................... Ex. 20:13 73
Penalty .................... Ex. 21:12–14 75 Num. 35:16–21 169
2. Manslaughter .............. Josh. 20:3–6 316
Penalty .................... Num. 35:22–25 169
3. Assault .................... Ex. 21:18–19 74
4. Kidnapping .................... Ex. 21:16 74 Deut. 24:7 196
5. Slander .................... Deut. 19:16–21 192

D. Crimes against property

1. Stealing .................... Ex. 20:15 73 22:1–12 75
2. Arson .................... Ex. 22:6 75
3. Moving a landmark ........ Deut. 19:14 192

V. LAWS PERTAINING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS

A. Marriage

1. Ordained by God ........ Gen. 1:27, 28; 2:18, 24 1 Cor. 7:2 1163
2. Within the tribe .......... Num. 36:6–9 170
3. Polygamy forbidden ................... 1 Cor. 7:2 1163
4. Marriage forbidden with:
- a. Step mother .................... Lev. 18:8 115
- b. Aliens ............... Ex. 34:13–17 81 Deut. 7:1–4 181
- c. Sister ................. Lev. 20:17 117
- d. Aunt .................. Lev. 20:19 117
- e. Grandchild ........ Lev. 18:15 115
- f. Daughter-in-law ............... Lev. 20:12 116
5. Divorce .................... Lev. 21:7; 22:13 118 Matt. 5:31, 32 1036
6. Not to remarry woman divorced by another man ............ Deut. 24:1–4 196
7. For committing adultery ............. Jer. 3:8 746 Matt. 19:3–9 1033 Luke 16:18 1059

B. Parent and child

1. Father has authority over child ............. Num. 30:3–5 163
2. Father to arrange marriage ............. Gen. 24:2–4 41
3. Parents to educate ............ Deut. 21:18–21 194 Prov. 22:6 641 Eph. 6:4 1199
4. Parents to discipline ......... Deut. 8:5 184 Prov. 22:15 644
5. Children to honor parents ............... Ex. 20:12 73 Deut. 5:16 177
6. Children to be regarded as gift of God .................... Gen. 33:5 48 Ps. 35:5 489
7. Penalty for children who dishonor parents ............... Lev. 20:9 117 Deut. 21:18–21 194

VI. ESTATES—DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION LAWS

A. Inheritance

1. Sons inherit father’s estate ............... Gen. 21:10–13 41 1 Chr. 5:1 400
2. Double portion to firstborn ............... Deut. 21:15–17 194
3. Daughters inherit property if no sons ...................... Num. 27:1–11 160
4. When no sons or daughters, inheritance to nearest relative ...... Num. 27:9–11 160

B. Real property—titles

1. Real estate
- a. Land divided among tribes ........................ Num. 26:52–56 160 Josh. 14:5 322
- b. Not transferable .................. Num. 36:6–9 170
- c. Not permanently sold ........... Lev. 25:23–25 122
- d. Value of land according to years after Jubilee ..... Lev. 25:15, 16 122
- e. Release of land .................. Lev. 25:8–38 122
2. Mode of transfer
- (1) Deed made ......... Jer. 32:9–14 778
- (2) Taking off sandal ............. Ruth 4:3–13 316
- (3) Deed delivered in presence of witnesses ........ Jer. 32:10, 12 778
- (4) Deed recorded ................... Jer. 32:14 778
3. Personal property (All property which is moveable, as against real property such as lands)
- a. Sale recognized ................. Lev. 25:14 122
- b. Pledges of:
  - (1) Children given as ............. 2 Kin. 4:1–7 367
  - (2) Upper and lower millstone prohibited ........ Deut. 24:6 196
  - (3) Not retained over night ........................ Ex. 22:26, 27 75
  - (4) Voluntary ........ Deut. 24:10, 11 196

VII. SOCIAL SECURITY AND WELFARE LAWS

A. Widows and orphans

1. Widow to marry nearest relative ................... Deut. 25:5–10 195
2. Widow and orphans not to be oppressed ........ Ex. 22:22, 23 75 Deut. 24:17, 19–21 196 Acts 6:1–6 1185 Jas. 1:27 1229

B. Neighbors

.............. Ex. 23:9 76 Lev. 19:13, 34 116

C. The poor

.............. Ex. 23:9 76 Lev. 19:10 116 Deut. 15:7–11 189 Matt. 5:42 1036 Luke 14:13–14 1056

D. Strangers or aliens

.............. Lev. 19:33, 34 116

E. Poor and needy

.............. Deut. 24:14, 15 196

F. Servants

.............. Deut. 24:14, 15 196

G. Handicapped

1. Blind .......................... Lev. 19:14 116 Deut. 27:18 195
2. Deaf ........ Deut. 27:18 195
3. Lame .......................... Luke 14:12–14 1056

VIII. LAWS PERTAINING TO CONTRACTING

A. Debts.............. Ex. 22:25 75 Deut. 15:1–3 189

B. With neighbors.............. Deut. 15:1–3 189

C. With foreigners.............. Deut. 15:1–3 189

D. Interest.............. Ex. 22:25 75 Lev. 25:35–37 122 Deut. 23:19, 20 195 Ezek. 18:10–13 830 Neh. 5:2–5 481

E. Loans.............. Ex. 22:25 75 Deut. 23:19, 20 195 2 Kin. 4:1–7 367 Neh. 5:2–5 481

F. Mortgages............. Neh. 5:2–5 481

G. Pledges (See VI. B. 2.............. Lev. 25:14 122

>H. Sales.............. Lev. 25:14 122 Ruth 4:3–13 316 Jer. 32:9–14 778

I. Sales of land.............. Lev. 25:14 122 Ruth 4:3–13 316 Jer. 32:9–14 778

J. Of servitude.............. Ex. 21:2–4 74

K. Sureties.............. Prov. 6:1, 2 629

IX. RELIGIOUS LAWS

A. Clean and unclean meat.............. Lev. 11:2–31 106 Deut. 14:3–21 188

B. Forbidden foods

1. Fat and blood .................. Lev. 17:10–14 114
2. Flesh torn by beasts ........... Ex. 22:31 75
3. Fruit of young trees .......... Lev. 19:23–25 116

C. Sacred obligations

1. Firstfruits .................... Ex. 34:19–26 87
2. Tithes ......................... Lev. 27:30–33 125
3. Atonement money ............... Ex. 30:12–15 86
4. Freewill offering ............. Ex. 35:5, 21, 22 89

D. Sacred calendar

1. Sabbath ....................... Gen. 2:1–3 8 Ex. 20:8–11 73 Deut. 5:12–15 177
a. Punishment for not keeping ..................... Num. 15:32–36 146
b. Healing on the Sabbath ........................ Luke 13:14–17 1052
2. Passover ...................... Ex. 12:3–28 71 John 13:5–15 1066
3. Feast of Unleavened Bread ...................... Ex. 12:15–20 71
4. Feast of Weeks ............... Ex. 34:22 87
5. Feast of Tabernacles ........ Lev. 23:34–36 120
6. Sabbatical (seventh) Year ...................... Ex. 21:2–6 74
7. Day of Atonement ............ Lev. 16:29–34 114

E. Crimes against God

1. Worship of false gods .......................... Ex. 20:5 73
Penalty ......................... Ex. 22:20 75
2. Spiritualism ................. Ex. 22:18 75
Penalty ......................... Deut. 18:11 179
3. Blasphemy .................... Lev. 24:16 121
Penalty ......................... Lev. 24:16 121

X. LAWS PERTAINING TO LEGAL PROCEDURE

A. Judges appointed........Ex. 18:13–27 71 2
Chr. 19:4–11 443

1. Moses, first judge ............ Ex.18:13-27 71

X. LAWS PERTAINING TO LEGAL PROCEDURE

A. Judges appointed

Ex. 18:13–26 71

1. Moses, first judge

Ex. 18:13–27 71

2. Priests judge in small matters

Ex. 18:22 71

3. King as judge

1 Kin. 7:1–7 339

B. Submission of cases

1. Ordinary cases submitted to judges

Deut. 25:1 196

2. Exceptional cases taken to Levitical priest for verdict

Deut. 17:8–11 190

3. Extreme cases submitted to the LORD for decision

Num. 5:11–31 164

4. Judges must not pervert justice

Deut. 21:1–9 196

5. Bribery forbidden

Deut. 16:18–20 190

C. Where courts were held

1. At gate of city

Deut. 21:19 196

2. In Hall of Judgment

Deut. 25:7 196

D. Judgments

1. Regarded as from God

Deut. 1:17 177

2. Righteous to be justified and wicked condemned

Deut. 25:1 196

3. Sentence to be executed

Deut. 25:2–3 196

E. Appeals

1. To Moses

Ex. 18:26 71

2. To priests

Deut. 17:8–11 190

3. To the king

2 Sam. 15:2–6 317

F. Damages

1. For disfiguring a person

Lev. 24:19, 20 121

2. For injury to a hired servant

Ex. 21:32–36 75

3. For fire which destroys property

Ex. 22:5, 6 75

4. Breach of trust

Lev. 6:1–5 101

5. Killing an animal

Ex. 21:18, 21 74

6. Loss of animal falling into pit

Ex. 21:33, 34 74

7. Loss of borrowed property

Ex. 22:14, 15 75

G. Methods of punishment

1. Infliction in kind

Gen. 9:6 19

2. Burning

Lev. 24:19, 20 121

3. Mutilation

Lev. 20:14 114

4. Hanging

Deut. 21:21–22 194

5. Stoning

Deut. 25:2, 3 196

6. Beating

Deut. 25:2, 3 196

7. Excommunication

Ezra 10:8 473

8. Imprisonment

Ezra 7:26 476

9. Compensation for damages

Ex. 21:19, 32, 36 75

10. Restitution for stolen or borrowed property

Ex. 22:12, 14, 15 75

H. Method of protection

1. Cities of refuge appointed

Num. 35:6–15 169

2. Protection till trial could be held

Num. 35:9–12 169

3. Murderer unintentional manslayer in city of refuge till death of high priest

Num. 35:25–32 169

XI. TORT LAWS

A. Assault

Ex. 21:18, 19 74

B. Compensation

Ex. 21:18, 19 74

C. Damage by animals

Ex. 21:28–32 75

D. Damage by fire

Ex. 22:5, 6 75

E. Injury to animals

Ex. 21:35, 36 74

F. Loss of borrowed property

Ex. 22:14, 15 75

G. Personal injury

Ex. 21:18, 19 74

H. Rights of strangers

Lev. 24:22 121

XII. LAWS OF SANITATION AND CLEANLINESS
A. Cleansing of the woman after child-birth Lev. 12:1-8 106
B. Test for leprosy Lev. 13:1-59 106
C. Cleansing of the leper's house Lev. 14:33-57 111
D. Cleansing of males with dis-charge Lev. 15:1-15 112
E. Laws concerning the woman during menstruation Lev. 15:24-33 112
XIII. LAWS PERTAINING TO ANIMALS
A. Beasts of burden Ex. 23:12 76
B. Beasts of the field Deut. 25:4 197 Ex. 23:11 76
C. Mother and young Lev. 22:28 119 Deut. 22:6, 7 194
D. Enemy's animals Ex. 23:4, 5 76 194 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
Ex. 22:25 75 Deut. 23:19, 20 195
The money was borrowed for relief of distress.
B. Allowed to be taken from for-eigners Deut. 23:20 195
Money was borrowed by foreigner to develop trade.
C. Property returned without inter-est Neh. 5:11-13 481
D. Differing weights and measures forbid-den Deut. 25:13-16 197