Overview
The Bible addresses constitution across 13 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Jeremiah, Daniel and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include King, Servants, Diplomacy and Hatred. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Daniel, David, Jeremiah and Zedekiah.
Key Bible verses about constitution
Old Testament
Deuteronomy
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:
And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.
2 Chronicles
And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.
And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.
Jeremiah
This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;
That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother.
Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go.
But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.
Daniel
Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.
People in the Bible and constitution
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying constitution for yourself
- Begin with Deuteronomy 17:18, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Jeremiah, Daniel and Deuteronomy each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Daniel, David and Jeremiah and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: King, Servants, Diplomacy and Hatred.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about constitution?
The Bible addresses constitution across 13 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Jeremiah, Daniel and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include King, Servants, Diplomacy and Hatred. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Daniel, David, Jeremiah and Zedekiah.
How many Bible verses are about constitution?
The Bible references constitution in 13 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention constitution?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Deuteronomy 17:18: “And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:”
Which people in the Bible are associated with constitution?
Daniel, David, Jeremiah and Zedekiah.
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