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What the Bible Says About Scribes

Overview

The Bible addresses scribes across 50 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Mark and Nehemiah. Closely related themes include Scribe, Satire, Secretary and Commandments. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Ezra, Abiathar, Zadok and David.

Key Bible verses about scribes

Old Testament

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 8:2

And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. that: Heb. that understood in hearing

Nehemiah 8:3

And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. from: Heb. from the light

Nehemiah 8:4

And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. pulpit: Heb. tower of wood

Nehemiah 8:5

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: sight: Heb. eyes

Nehemiah 8:6

And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 32:11

So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:

Jeremiah 32:12

And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.

Jeremiah 36:5

And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the LORD:

Jeremiah 36:26

But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them. of Hammelech: or, of the king

Jeremiah 52:25

He took also out of the city an eunuch, which had the charge of the men of war; and seven men of them that were near the king's person, which were found in the city; and the principal scribe of the host, who mustered the people of the land; and threescore men of the people of the land, that were found in the midst of the city. were near: Heb. saw the face of the king principal: or, scribe of the captain of the host

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 2:4

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Matthew 7:29

For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Matthew 13:52

Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Matthew 17:10

And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

Matthew 21:15

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

Matthew 22:35

Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

Matthew 23:2

Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

Matthew 23:15

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Matthew 26:3

Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

Mark

Mark 1:22

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 2:6

But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

Mark 2:7

Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

Mark 2:16

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

Mark 3:22

And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said He hath Beelzebub and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

Mark 12:28

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

Mark 12:35

And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?

Mark 12:38

And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

Mark 12:39

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

People in the Bible and scribes

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying scribes for yourself

  • Begin with Judges 5:14, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Matthew, Mark and Nehemiah each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Ezra, Abiathar and Zadok and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Scribe, Satire, Secretary and Commandments.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about scribes?

The Bible addresses scribes across 50 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Mark and Nehemiah. Closely related themes include Scribe, Satire, Secretary and Commandments. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Ezra, Abiathar, Zadok and David.

How many Bible verses are about scribes?

The Bible references scribes in 50 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention scribes?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Judges 5:14: “Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer. handle: Heb. draw with”

Which people in the Bible are associated with scribes?

Ezra, Abiathar, Zadok, David and Baruch.

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