In the biblical context, the term "Lawgiver" primarily refers to God as the ultimate source of law and authority. The concept of God as the Lawgiver is foundational to understanding the nature of divine law and its role in guiding the moral and spiritual conduct of His people. The Lawgiver is also a title attributed to Moses, who, under God's direction, delivered the Law to the Israelites.

God as the Lawgiver

The Bible presents God as the supreme Lawgiver, whose decrees are just and eternal. In Isaiah 33:22, it is written, "For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King; He will save us." This verse encapsulates the multifaceted role of God as the one who establishes law, judges according to it, and reigns as sovereign King. God's laws are not arbitrary but are rooted in His holy and righteous character, reflecting His will for humanity.

The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, are a prime example of God's law. These commandments form the core of the moral and ethical code for the Israelites and are foundational to Judeo-Christian ethics. In Exodus 20:1-17, God speaks directly to Moses, providing laws that govern worship, interpersonal relationships, and community life.

Moses as the Lawgiver

Moses is often referred to as the Lawgiver because he was the mediator through whom God delivered His laws to the people of Israel. In Deuteronomy 33:4, it is stated, "Moses gave us the law, the possession of the assembly of Jacob." Moses' role as the Lawgiver is significant because he not only received the law but also taught it to the Israelites, ensuring that it was understood and followed.

Moses' leadership and his role in delivering the law are central themes in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. These books, traditionally attributed to Moses, contain the legal, moral, and ceremonial laws that governed the life of the Israelite community. Moses' faithfulness in conveying God's law is highlighted in Hebrews 3:5, which says, "Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later."

The Law in the New Testament

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is seen as the fulfillment of the Law. While the Law given through Moses was a guide and a tutor, pointing to the need for a Savior, Jesus embodies the perfect fulfillment of the Law. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus declares, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfills the righteous requirements of the Law, offering grace and salvation to all who believe.

The Apostle Paul further explains the purpose of the Law in Galatians 3:24, stating, "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." The Law serves to reveal human sinfulness and the need for redemption, which is found in Christ alone.

The Role of the Law Today

For Christians, the Law remains a vital part of Scripture, providing moral guidance and revealing the character of God. While believers are not under the Law as a means of salvation, which is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the moral principles of the Law continue to inform Christian ethics and conduct. The Lawgiver, both in the Old and New Testaments, points to the holiness of God and His desire for His people to live in righteousness and justice.(n.) One who makes or enacts a law or system of laws; a legislator.LAWGIVER

lo'-giv-er (mechoqeq; nomothetes): There are two words, one Hebrew and one Greek, which are translated "lawgiver." The former occurs 7 times in the Old Testament, and in the King James Version in every case except Judges 5:14 is thus translated. In the Revised Version (British and American) it bears the translation "lawgiver" but twice (Deuteronomy 33:21 Isaiah 33:22), though in the other passages (Genesis 49:10 Numbers 21:18 Judges 5:14 Psalm 60:7; Psalm 108:8) this meaning is retained in the margin. The Greek word occurs in the New Testament but once (James 4:12), where it has a meaning that is almost the exact equivalent of the Hebrew word in Isaiah 33:22. In both passages God is declared to be the "lawgiver," and in the New Testament passage is so called because He has the power to rule and judge, to save and destroy. Man is denied the authority to judge because he is not the lawgiver. God is the lawgiver, and therefore possesses the right to pronounce judgment (compare Isaiah, supra). The word, however, implies more than mere legislative function; it also connotes the idea of ruling. Isaiah makes this very plain, since he adds to the statement that God is our judge and lawgiver the further declaration that He is also king. This meaning adheres in the very history of the word. It is based upon the monarchical conception in which the legislative, judicial and administrative functions are all vested in one person. In James the two terms "lawgiver and judge" express the idea of God's absolute sovereignty. The verb nomothetein occurs in Hebrews 7:11; Hebrews 8:6, but it does not extend beyond the meaning "to enact laws."

The Hebrew word is restricted to poetic passages, and except in Isaiah 33:22 is applied to a tribal or kingly ruler. Moses is pre-eminently the lawgiver in Jewish and Christian circles, but it should be noted that in the Scriptures of neither is he given this title. The primary meaning of the verb from which mechoqeq is derived is "to cut," "to carve," and a derived meaning is "to ordain." The meaning of the participle mechoqeq is based upon this last. It means

(1) the symbol which expresses the lawmaker's authority, that is, the commander's staff; and

(2) the person who possesses the authority (Deuteronomy 33:21).

It has the first of these meanings in Numbers 21:18 Psalm 60:7; Psalm 108:8, and probably in Genesis 49:10, though here it may have the second meaning. The parallelism, however, seems to require an impersonal object to correspond to scepter, and so the reading of the text (The Revised Version) is to be preferred to that of the margin (Skinner, at the place). In Deuteronomy 33:21 Judges 5:14 Isaiah 33:22, it means the person who wielded the symbol of authority, that is the prescriber of laws. In a primitive community this would be a military commander. In Genesis 49:10 the "ruler's staff" is the symbol of kingly authority (Driver), and this verse consequently implies the supremacy of Judah which came in with the Davidic kingdom. This word contains no reference to the Messiah. In Numbers 21:18 there is an allusion to the custom of formally and symbolically opening fountains under the superintendence and at the instruction of the leader of the tribe. Such a custom seems to have been in vogue till comparatively modern times. Gray cites Budde in the New World for March, 1895, and Muir's Mohamet and Islam, 343 f. In Judges 5:14 the word means "military commander," as the context shows. This is the meaning also in Deuteronomy 33:21, where it is affirmed that Gad obtained a position worthy of its warlike character. Targum, Vulgate, Peshitta, and some moderns have seen here a reference to the grave of Moses, but Nebo was in Reuben and not in Gad.

W. C. Morro

3550. nomothetes -- a lawgiver
... a lawgiver. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: nomothetes Phonetic
Spelling: (nom-oth-et'-ace) Short Definition: a law-giver, legislator Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3550.htm - 6k

3475. Mouses -- Moses, a leader of Isr.
... Moses. Or Moses (mo-sace'), or Mouses (mo-oo-sace') of Hebrew origin; (Mosheh) Moseus,
Moses, or Mouses (ie Mosheh), the Hebrew lawgiver -- Moses. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3475.htm - 6k

4872. Mosheh -- a great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver
... 4871, 4872. Mosheh. 4873 . a great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver.
Transliteration: Mosheh Phonetic Spelling: (mo-sheh') Short Definition: Moses. ...
/hebrew/4872.htm - 6k

4873. Mosheh -- a great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver
... 4872, 4873. Mosheh. 4874 . a great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver.
Transliteration: Mosheh Phonetic Spelling: (mo-sheh') Short Definition: Moses. ...
/hebrew/4873.htm - 6k

2710. chaqaq -- to cut in, inscribe, decree
... to cut in, inscribe, decree NASB Word Usage carve (1), commanders (2), decree (1),
decreed (1), enact (1), inscribe (2), inscribed (3), lawgiver (1), marked (1 ...
/hebrew/2710.htm - 6k

Judge, Lawgiver, King
... JUDGE, LAWGIVER, KING. 'For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver,
the Lord is our King; He will save us.'"Isaiah 33:22. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/judge lawgiver king.htm

On the Epistle to the Galatians the Abolition of the Ordinances of ...
... Mosaic Law No Proof of Another God. The Divine Lawgiver, the Creator Himself,
Was the Abrogator. The Apostle's Doctrine in the First ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter ii on the epistle to.htm

Whether He who is under a Law May Act Beside the Letter of the Law ...
... judgment not on them, but according to them." But if anyone disregard the letter
of the law, saying that he observes the intention of the lawgiver, he seems to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether he who is under.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Dispensable?
... precepts admit of dispensation, when there occurs a particular case in which, if
the letter of the law be observed, the intention of the lawgiver is frustrated ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 4.htm

Whether we Should Always Judge According to the Written Law?
... Objection 3: Further, a law is written in order that the lawgiver's intention
may be made clear. But it happens sometimes that even ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether we should always judge.htm

Whether the Mode of virtue Falls under the Precept of the Law?
... Objection 2: Further, that which belongs to the intention of the lawgiver
comes chiefly under the precept. But the intention of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the mode of virtue.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... speaking to them. Observe: (1) The lawgiver. God spake.' There are two things
requisite in a lawgiver. [1] Wisdom. Laws are founded ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

The Antiquity of Moses Proved by Greek Writers.
... I will begin, then, with our first prophet and lawgiver, Moses; first explaining
the times in which he lived, on authorities which among you are worthy of all ...
/.../justins hortatory address to the greeks/chapter ix the antiquity of moses.htm

Through the Red Sea
... The Lawgiver had passed from among them, and those that followed him with their
eyes saw that he was moving toward the sea, seemingly at the very limit of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlv through the red.htm

Christ Predicted by Moses.
... Moses then, who was the first of the prophets, spoke in these very words: "The sceptre
shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter xxxii christ predicted by moses.htm

Lawgiver (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who makes or enacts a law or system of laws;
a legislator. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LAWGIVER. ...
/l/lawgiver.htm - 13k

Lawgiver's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lawgiver's (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 33:21 He provided
the first part for himself, for there was the lawgiver's portion reserved. ...
/l/lawgiver's.htm - 6k

Sceptre (20 Occurrences)
... Another word, mechoqeq, literally, "prescribing" (person or thing), formerly translated
uniformly "lawgiver," is now generally taken, on the basis of ...
/s/sceptre.htm - 17k

Governor (78 Occurrences)
... There is consequently much confusion in the use of titles such as "deputy,"
"duke," "judge," "lawgiver," "overseer" "prince" "ruler" etc. ...
/g/governor.htm - 48k

Essenes
... to the Essenes is his early work, Quod Omnis Probus Liber, "that every good man
is free." This treatise is intended for a Gentile audience-the "Lawgiver of the ...
/e/essenes.htm - 38k

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)
... Their great lawgiver stands before us, vigorous in his hoary age, stern in his
abhorrence of evil, earnest in his zeal for God, but mellowed in all relations ...
/d/deuteronomy.htm - 44k

Judgest (9 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY WBS). James 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to
destroy: who art thou that judgest another? (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/j/judgest.htm - 9k

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)
... The Rabbins changed this name into Manasseh "to screen the memory of the great lawgiver
from the stain of having so unworthy an apostate among his near ...
/j/jonathan.htm - 59k

Law-givers (2 Occurrences)
Law-givers. Lawgivers, Law-givers. Lawgiver's . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Lawgivers, Law-givers. Lawgiver's . Reference Bible.
/l/law-givers.htm - 7k

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