Topical Bible: The Law of Moses: Called: Book of Moses

Bible > Topical > The Law of Moses

◄ The Law of Moses: Called: Book of Moses ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Law of Moses, often referred to as the Book of Moses, is a foundational component of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It encompasses the first five books, known collectively as the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These texts are traditionally attributed to Moses, who is regarded as the principal lawgiver and prophet in Israelite history.

Divine Revelation and Covenant

The Law of Moses is considered a divine revelation given by God to the Israelites through Moses. It establishes the covenantal relationship between God and His chosen people. This covenant is first articulated in the book of Exodus, where God delivers the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and leads them to Mount Sinai. Here, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments, which serve as the core ethical and moral principles of the Law. Exodus 20:1-17 details these commandments, beginning with, "And God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me.'"

Moral, Ceremonial, and Civil Laws

The Law of Moses is comprehensive, encompassing moral, ceremonial, and civil laws. The moral laws, such as the Ten Commandments, are timeless principles that reflect God's holy nature and His expectations for human conduct. The ceremonial laws include instructions for worship, sacrifices, and rituals, which are primarily detailed in the book of Leviticus. These laws underscore the holiness required to approach God and the need for atonement through sacrifice.

The civil laws provided guidance for the social and judicial aspects of Israelite life. They addressed issues such as property rights, justice, and community welfare, ensuring that the nation operated under principles of fairness and righteousness. Deuteronomy 16:18-20 emphasizes the importance of justice: "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 righteous."

Purpose and Fulfillment

The Law of Moses served multiple purposes. It was a guide for righteous living, a means to set Israel apart as a holy nation, and a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. The sacrificial system, in particular, pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Law through His life, death, and resurrection. In Matthew 5:17 , Jesus states, "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."

The Book of Moses in the New Testament

The New Testament frequently references the Law of Moses, affirming its significance while also highlighting its fulfillment in Christ. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 7:12 , acknowledges the holiness of the Law: "So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good." However, he also explains that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by adherence to the Law alone.

Legacy and Influence

The Law of Moses has had a profound impact on both religious and secular legal systems throughout history. Its principles have influenced Western legal thought and continue to be a source of moral guidance for believers. The Law's emphasis on justice, mercy, and faithfulness remains relevant, as seen in Micah 6:8 : "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 25:4
But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 35:12
And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer to the LORD, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
... of the Lord." Four times within seven verses it is called "The Book ... to observe the
Passover as it had been prescribed in "the law of Moses." Josiah commanded ...
/.../iii was moses a literary.htm

Moses Rightly Called a Divine Legislator, And, Though Inferior to ...
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies: Book I Chapter XXVI."Moses Rightly Called a Divine ...
Whence the law was rightly said to have been given by Moses, being ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxvi moses rightly called a.htm

What did Moses Write?
... they called the whole sometimes "Torah," or "The Law," sometimes "The Law of Moses,"
sometimes "The Five-fifths of the Law." It was originally one book, and it ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter ii what did moses.htm

The Attack on the Book of Leviticus.
... throne of his kingdom, he shall write him a copy of this law in a ... the first verses
of the book it is written: "And the Lord called upon Moses, and spake ...
/.../concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism/v the attack on the.htm

Plato an Imitator of Moses in Framing Laws.
... That department of politics which is called "Law," he divides ... a result which the
system of Moses sedulously aims ... Further, that the department of law is founded ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxv plato an imitator of.htm

Moses and his Writings
... of Moses was done, and Joshua took his place, called by God to ... When Moses brought
the Children of Israel out of Egypt they were ... 'This book of the law shall not ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter iii moses and his.htm

Fragment xxxii. Josephus Says, that when Moses had Been Brought up ...
... again, inasmuch as the leper was accounted by the law unclean, while at ... upon the
surrender of this city (Saba, afterwards called Mero?�) Moses married her ...
/.../fragment xxxii josephus says that.htm

Were Christ and the Apostles Mistaken?
... was mighty in words and deeds. (Acts 7:22.) Hence he called the Scriptures
"The Law of Moses.". Some of the critics will concede ...
/.../concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism/iv were christ and the.htm

The Scattering of the People
... And yet, even in far-off heathen Babylon the Lord called men to add to His ... they spake
unto Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter v the scattering of.htm

Authorship of the Pentateuch.
... as the covenant made with the people at this time is called "this covenant ... our curiosity
to know exactly in what outward form Moses left the Law with the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter ix authorship of the.htm