Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, courts of justice were established to maintain order and administer justice among the people of Israel. The judges, appointed to these courts, played a crucial role in interpreting and applying the law as given by God through Moses. The concept of a judgment-seat, where judges would sit while hearing cases, is a significant aspect of the judicial process in ancient Israel.Biblical Foundation and Structure The establishment of a judicial system is rooted in the Mosaic Law. In Exodus 18:13-26, we see Moses, at the advice of his father-in-law Jethro, appointing capable men as judges over the people to handle minor disputes, while Moses himself would handle the more significant cases. This system was designed to ensure that justice was administered efficiently and fairly. The judges were expected to be men of integrity, fearing God, trustworthy, and hating dishonest gain (Exodus 18:21). They were to judge the people with righteousness and impartiality, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 16:18-20: "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent." The Judgment-Seat The judgment-seat, or "bema" in Greek, was a raised platform where the judge would sit while hearing cases. This elevated position symbolized authority and the solemn responsibility of the judge to deliver justice. The concept of the judgment-seat is seen in various passages throughout the Bible, illustrating its importance in the judicial process. In the New Testament, the judgment-seat is mentioned in the context of Roman governance. For instance, in Acts 18:12-17, Paul is brought before Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, who sat on the judgment-seat to hear the accusations against Paul. Similarly, in Acts 25:6, Festus sat on the judgment-seat to hear Paul's case. Role and Responsibilities of Judges Judges in biblical times were not only responsible for legal decisions but also for maintaining the moral and spiritual order of the community. They were to ensure that the laws of God were upheld and that justice was served without corruption or favoritism. The role of the judge was both a civic and a spiritual duty, as they were seen as representatives of God's justice on earth. The book of Judges provides numerous examples of individuals who served as judges over Israel, delivering the people from oppression and leading them back to faithfulness to God. These judges, such as Deborah, Gideon, and Samson, were raised up by God to restore justice and order during times of national crisis. Judicial Principles The principles guiding the courts of justice in biblical times were deeply rooted in the character of God, who is just and righteous. Judges were to reflect these attributes in their decisions, ensuring that justice was not only done but seen to be done. The emphasis on impartiality, fairness, and the rejection of bribes underscores the high ethical standards expected of those who sat on the judgment-seat. In summary, the courts of justice in biblical times were integral to the social and spiritual fabric of Israel. The judges, sitting on the judgment-seat, were tasked with the solemn duty of administering God's law with integrity and righteousness, serving as both legal and moral leaders in their communities. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 18:13And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning to the evening. Torrey's Topical Textbook Judges 5:10 Isaiah 28:6 Matthew 27:19 Library Memoir of John Bunyan Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus. Resources What can we learn from the woman caught in adultery? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the importance or value of a church building? | GotQuestions.org Why is Jesus called the stumbling stone in Matthew 21:43-44? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Appeals From, Made to the Emperor Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Could Alone Award Death Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Never Examined Their own Citizens by Torture Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Never Interfered in Any Dispute About Minor Matters Or Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Place of, Called the Hall of Judgment Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Presided Over by the Governor or Deputy Courts of Justice: Both the Accusers and Accused Required to Appear Before Courts of Justice: Causes In, Were Opened by an Advocate Courts of Justice: Causes In, Were Opened by The Complainant Courts of Justice: Corruption and Bribery often Practised In Courts of Justice: False Witnesses in to Receive the Punishment of the Accused Courts of Justice: Generally Held in the Morning Courts of Justice: Have Authority from God Courts of Justice: Inferior Court in all Cities Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: All Minor Cases Decided By Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: All Transfers of Property Made Before Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: Held at the Gates Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: Judges of, Appointed by the Governor Courts of Justice: Judges of Called Elders Courts of Justice: Judges of Called Magistrates Courts of Justice: Judges of Conferred Together Before Giving Judgment Courts of Justice: Judges of Examined the Parties Courts of Justice: Judges of not to Take Bribes Courts of Justice: Judges of Pronounced the Judgment of the Court Courts of Justice: Judges of Rode often on White Asses Courts of Justice: Judges of Sat on the Judgment-Seat While Hearing Causes Courts of Justice: Judges of To Decide According to the Law Courts of Justice: Judges of To Investigate Every Case Courts of Justice: Judges of To Judge As for God Courts of Justice: Judges of To Judge Righteously Courts of Justice: Judges of To Judge Without Respect of Persons Courts of Justice: Judges of To Promote Peace Courts of Justice: Probably Derived from the Seventy Elders Appointed by Moses Courts of Justice: Provided With: Judges Courts of Justice: Provided With: Officers Courts of Justice: Provided With: Tormentors or Executioners Courts of Justice: Re-Established by Ezra Courts of Justice: Re-Established by Jehoshaphat Courts of Justice: Sanhedrim or Court of the Seventy: Consisted of Chief Priest Courts of Justice: Sanhedrim or Court of the Seventy: Mentioned in the Latter Part of Sacred History Courts of Justice: Sanhedrim or Court of the Seventy: Presided Over by High Priest Courts of Justice: Sanhedrim or Court of the Seventy: Sat in High Priest's Palace Courts of Justice: Sometimes Held in Synagogues Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Consisted Subsequently of Priests and Levites Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Decided on all Appeals and Difficult Cases Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Decisions of, Conclusive Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Held at the Seat of Government Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Held First by Moses Alone in the Wilderness Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Presided Over by the Governor or the High Priest Courts of Justice: The Accused: Examined on Oath Courts of Justice: The Accused: Exhorted to Confess Courts of Justice: The Accused: Might Have Advocates Courts of Justice: The Accused: Permitted to Plead Their own Cause Courts of Justice: The Accused: Sometimes Examined by Torture Courts of Justice: The Accused: Sometimes Treated With Insult Courts of Justice: The Accused: Stood Before the Judge Courts of Justice: The Accused: The Evidence of Two or More Witnesses Required In Courts of Justice: The Accused: Witnesses Sometimes Laid Their Hands on the Criminal's Head Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Allusions To Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Illustrative of the Last Judgment Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Immediately Executed Courts of Justice: The Judgment of not Given Till Accused Was Heard Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Recorded in Writing Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Witnesses First to Execute Courtship: Ancient Customs of Women Proposed Marriage Related Terms |
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