The concept of "legal" in the Bible encompasses the laws, commandments, and statutes given by God to His people, as well as the legal systems and practices observed by various societies mentioned in the Scriptures. The Bible presents a comprehensive view of law, both divine and human, and its role in guiding moral and ethical behavior.

Divine Law

The foundation of legal principles in the Bible is rooted in divine law, which is primarily revealed through the Mosaic Law. This law was given to the Israelites through Moses and is detailed in the first five books of the Bible, known as the Torah. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) serve as the core of this legal system, outlining fundamental moral imperatives such as prohibitions against murder, theft, and adultery, and commands to honor God and one's parents.

The Mosaic Law includes ceremonial, civil, and moral laws. Ceremonial laws pertain to religious rituals and practices, civil laws govern societal conduct, and moral laws address ethical behavior. The purpose of these laws was to set apart the Israelites as God's chosen people and to guide them in righteous living. In Deuteronomy 6:1-2 , it is written, "These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess, so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged."

Legal Systems in Biblical Times

In addition to divine law, the Bible also references various legal systems and practices of the ancient Near East. For example, the Book of Ruth provides insight into the legal practice of levirate marriage and the redemption of property (Ruth 4:1-10). The account of Daniel highlights the legal customs of the Babylonian and Persian empires, where laws were often decreed by kings and could not be altered (Daniel 6:8-15).

The New Testament also addresses legal matters, particularly in the context of Roman law. The Apostle Paul, a Roman citizen, often navigated the legal system of his time, as seen in Acts 25:10-12 , where he appeals to Caesar: "Paul replied, 'I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!'"

Jesus and the Law

Jesus Christ's teachings and actions often engaged with the legal traditions of His time. He affirmed the importance of the law, stating in Matthew 5:17 , "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." Jesus emphasized the spirit of the law over mere legalistic adherence, teaching that love for God and neighbor is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-40).

Jesus also challenged legalistic interpretations that neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness. In Matthew 23:23 , He rebukes the Pharisees: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."

The Role of Law in Christian Life

For Christians, the law serves as a guide to understanding God's will and living a life that honors Him. The Apostle Paul explains that while believers are not justified by the law, it still has value in teaching and guiding them. In Romans 7:12 , Paul writes, "So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good."

The New Testament emphasizes the law of Christ, which is characterized by love and grace. Galatians 6:2 instructs believers to "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, which enables believers to live in accordance with God's will through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.1. (a.) Created by, permitted by, in conformity with, or relating to, law; as, a legal obligation; a legal standard or test; a legal procedure; a legal claim; a legal trade; anything is legal which the laws do not forbid.

2. (a.) According to the law of works, as distinguished from free grace; or resting on works for salvation.

3. (a.) According to the old or Mosaic dispensation; in accordance with the law of Moses.

4. (a.) Governed by the rules of law as distinguished from the rules of equity; as, legal estate; legal assets.

1772. ennomos -- legal, subject to (law)
... legal, subject to (law). Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ennomos Phonetic
Spelling: (en'-nom-os) Short Definition: legal, obedient to the law ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1772.htm - 6k

5498. cheirographon -- a (handwritten) document, legal note, bond
... a (handwritten) document, legal note, bond. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: cheirographon Phonetic Spelling: (khi-rog'-raf-on) Short Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5498.htm - 6k

1556. ekdikeo -- to vindicate, to avenge
... Word Origin from ekdikos Definition to vindicate, to avenge NASB Word Usage avenged
(1), avenging (1), give...legal protection (2), legal protection (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1556.htm - 7k

4972. sphragizo -- to seal
... owner. "Sealing" in the ancient world served as a "legal signature" which
guaranteed the promise (contents) of what was sealed. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4972.htm - 8k

5287. hupostasis -- a support, substance, steadiness, hence ...
... a guaranteed agreement ("title-deed"); (figuratively) "" to a promise or property,
ie a legitimate (because it literally is, " a legal-") -- someone to what is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5287.htm - 8k

178. akatakritos -- uncondemned
... uncondemned. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of katakrino; without
(legal) trial -- uncondemned. see GREEK a. see GREEK katakrino. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/178.htm - 6k

1344. dikaioo -- to show to be righteous, declare righteous
... Cognate: 1344 (from , "right, judicial-approval") -- properly, , especially in a
legal, authoritative sense; to show what is right, ie conformed to a proper ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1344.htm - 9k

2969. komopolis -- a country town
... 2969 (from 2968 , "village, town" and 4172 , "a city") -- a city with (legal) status.
A ("village, unwalled town") was hardly a "city" as we know it. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2969.htm - 7k

156. aitia -- cause, reason
... From the same as aiteo; a cause (as if asked for), ie (logical) reason (motive,
matter), (legal) crime (alleged or proved) -- accusation, case, cause, crime ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/156.htm - 6k

3623. oikonomos -- the manager of a household
... See 3622 (). [3623 ("manager") often functioned as the "steward" of a household,
and was generally a -- ie a from forced, legal servitude (J. Thayer).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3623.htm - 7k

6664. tsedeq -- rightness, righteousness
... From tsadaq; the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or
(figuratively) prosperity -- X even, (X that which is altogether) just(-ice), (( ...
/hebrew/6664.htm - 6k

7379. rib -- strife, dispute
... Or rib {reeb}; from riyb; a contest (personal or legal) -- + adversary, cause, chiding,
contend(-tion), controversy, multitude (from the margin), pleading ...
/hebrew/7379.htm - 6k

633. esar -- an interdict
... decree. (Aramaic) corresponding to 'ecar in a legal sense; an interdict -- decree.
see HEBREW 'ecar. 632, 633. esar. 634 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/633.htm - 6k

Whether Legal Relationship is Contracted Only Between the Adopting ...
... OF LEGAL RELATIONSHIP, WHICH IS BY ADOPTION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether legal relationship
is contracted only between the adopting father and the adopted child? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether legal relationship is contracted.htm

Of Legal Relationship, which is by Adoption (Three Articles)
... OF LEGAL RELATIONSHIP, WHICH IS BY ADOPTION (THREE ARTICLES). We must now
consider legal relationship which is by adoption. Under ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of legal relationship which is.htm

From Patriarchal, Tertullian Comes to Legal, Precedents.
... Chapter VII."From Patriarchal, Tertullian Comes to Legal, Precedents. After
the ancient examples of the patriarchs, let us equally ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter vii from patriarchal tertullian comes.htm

Whether Since Christ's Passion the Legal Ceremonies Can be ...
... Whether since Christ's Passion the legal ceremonies can be observed without
committing mortal sin? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether since christs passion the.htm

It is a Matter of Doubt, Whether Believers under the Old Testament ...
... ARTICLE XI It is a matter of doubt, whether believers under the Old Testament
understood that the legal ceremonies were types of Christ and of his benefits. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article xi it is a.htm

Of Christ's Circumcision, and of the Other Legal Observances ...
... OF CHRIST'S CIRCUMCISION, AND OF THE OTHER LEGAL OBSERVANCES ACCOMPLISHED
IN REGARD TO THE CHILD CHRIST (FOUR ARTICLES). We must ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of christs circumcision and of.htm

Perfect Righteousness was Conferred Neither by Circumcision nor by ...
... Against Heresies: Book IV Chapter XVI."Perfect righteousness was conferred
neither by circumcision nor by any other legal ceremonies. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi perfect righteousness was conferred.htm

The Unjust Steward - Dives and Lazarus - Jewish Agricultural Notes ...
... THE UNJUST STEWARD - DIVES AND LAZARUS - JEWISH AGRICULTURAL NOTES - PRICES OF PRODUCE -
WRITING AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS - PURPLE AND FINE LINEN - JEWISH NOTIONS ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the unjust steward.htm

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
... Legal obligations make us debtors to men; an instance is when one individual
has a claim upon another for debt. The duties and tribute ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday after epiphany.htm

Seemingly from the Dawn of Man all Nations have had Governments...
... That the king can do no wrong was never anything but a legal fiction; and it is
a legal fiction still. ... And this is legal and scientific in America. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 23 seemingly from the.htm

Legal (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Created by, permitted by, in conformity with, or relating to, law; as, a
legal obligation; a legal standard or test; a legal procedure; a legal claim ...
/l/legal.htm - 10k

Plead (64 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense, or for repelling a demand
in law; to answer to an indictment; as, to plead usury; to plead statute of ...
/p/plead.htm - 31k

Lawyer (5 Occurrences)
... practitioner of law; one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients, or
to advise as to prosecution or defense of lawsuits, or as to legal rights and ...
/l/lawyer.htm - 14k

Adoption (5 Occurrences)
... ADOPTION. a-dop'-shun (huiothesia, "placing as a son"): I. THE GENERAL LEGAL IDEA
1. In the Old Testament 2. Greek 3. Roman II. ... I. The General Legal Idea. ...
/a/adoption.htm - 23k

Courts (59 Occurrences)
... (7) Slavery could not be made perpetual without the person's own consent (Exodus
21:2-6). 3. Their Work: Gradually a legal profession developed among the ...
/c/courts.htm - 33k

Sojourner (81 Occurrences)
... stranj'-er: I. THE GER 1. Legal provisions (1) Principles (2) Rules 2. Relation
to Sacrifice and Ritual 3. Historical Circumstances II. THE TOSHABH III. ...
/s/sojourner.htm - 48k

Execute (83 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To complete, as a legal instrument; to perform what is required to give
validity to, as by signing and perhaps sealing and delivering; as, to execute a ...
/e/execute.htm - 34k

Prosecute (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To seek to obtain by legal process; as, to prosecute a right or a claim
in a court of law. 3. (vt) To pursue with the intention ...
/p/prosecute.htm - 7k

Sue (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To seek justice or right from, by legal process; to institute process in
law against; to bring an action against; to prosecute judicially. ...
/s/sue.htm - 7k

Code (6 Occurrences)
... CONTENTS OF THE CODE 1. The Principles of Legal Process 2. Theft, Burglary, Robbery
3. Laws concerning Vassalage 4. Immovables 5. Trader and Agent 6. Taverns 7 ...
/c/code.htm - 40k

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