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Question

What are the civil/judicial laws in the Pentateuch and how do they relate to the moral and ceremonial categories? Investigate the "judgments" (mishpatim) of Exodus 21-23 -- case law, property law, penalties, social regulations. Examine whether civil laws are applications of moral principles to specific situations, whether they are distinct from both moral and ceremonial law, and what happens to civil law when Israel ceases to be a theocratic nation.

Topics

COURT

ECCLESIASTICAL 1CH 26:29-32; 2CH 19:8-11; MAT 18:15-18; JHN 20:23 - See CHURCH, DISCIPLINE IN

CIVIL - Held at the tabernacle NUM 27:2 - The gates of cities DEU 21:19; 22:15; 25:7; JOS 20:4; RUT 4:1; ZEC 8:16 - Under a palm tree JDG 4:5 - COMPOSITION OF, AND MODE OF PROCEDURE EXO 18:25,26; DEU 1:15-17; 17:9; RUT 4:2-5; 1CH 26:29-32; 2CH 19:8-11; MAT 26:54-71; MRK 14:53,55-65; 15:1; LUK 22:50-71; JHN 18:13-28; ACT 5:17-21,25-28,34,38-41

CIRCUIT 1SA 7:15-17

SUPERIOR, AND INFERIOR EXO 18:21-26; DEU 1:15-17; 17:8-13; 2CH 19:5-10

JUSTICE REQUIRED OF EXO 23:2,3,6-8; DEU 1:16,17; 25:1; 2CH 19:5-10

SENTENCE OF, FINAL AND OBLIGATORY DEU 17:8-12

CONTEMPT OF DEU 17:8-13; MIC 5:1; ACT 23:1-5

CORRUPT PRO 17:15; 29:26; ISA 1:23; 5:23; 10:1,2; MIC 3:11; 7:3; ZEP 3:3; MAT 26:59-62; 27:18-26; MRK 14:53,55-65; 15:10; ACT 4:15-18; 6:11-14; 24:26,27

ACCUSED SPOKE IN OWN DEFENSE JER 26:11-16; MRK 15:3-5; ACT 4:8-12,18-20; 5:29-32; 7:1-56; 23:1-7; 26:1-32

JUDGE

  • Appointed by the Persians EZR 7:25
  • Kings and other rulers as judges 2SA 8:15; 15:2; 1KI 3:16-28; 10:9; 2KI 8:1-6; PSA 72:1-4; MAT 27:11-26; ACT 23:34,35; 24; 25:11,12
  • Priests and Levites as DEU 17:9; 2CH 19:8; EZK 44:23,24; MAT 26:57-62
  • Women as -- Deborah JDG 4:4
  • Held circuit courts 1SA 7:16

CHARACTER OF, AND PRECEPTS RELATING TO EXO 18:21,22; 22:9,28; LEV 19:15; DEU 1:12-17; 16:18-20; 17:8-11; 19:16-19; 25:1-3; 1SA 2:25; 8:3; 1KI 3:9; 2CH 19:5-10; PSA 58:1,2; 72:1,2,4,12-14; 82:2-4; PRO 24:23; ISA 5:22,23; 28:5,6; EZK 44:24; DAN 9:12; MIC 7:3; ZEP 3:3; JHN 7:24

CORRUPT, INSTANCES OF -- Eli's sons 1SA 2:12-17,22-25; Samuel's sons 1SA 8:1-5; Judges of Jezreel 1KI 21:8-13; Pilate MAT 27:24; MRK 15:15; Felix ACT 24:26,27

JUDGES OF ISRAEL (the 13 judges from Othniel through Samson, plus Eli and Samuel) JDG 2:16-19; ACT 13:20

PUNISHMENT

DEATH PENALTY - Will not be commuted NUM 35:31 - For murder GEN 9:5,6; NUM 35:16-21,30-33; DEU 17:6 - For adultery LEV 20:10; DEU 22:24 - For incest LEV 20:11,12,14 - For bestiality EXO 22:19; LEV 20:15,16 - For sodomy LEV 18:22; 20:13 - For sexual immorality DEU 22:21-24 - For rape of betrothed virgin DEU 22:25 - For perjury ZEC 5:4 - For kidnapping EXO 21:16; DEU 24:7 - For promiscuousness of priest's daughter LEV 21:9 - For witchcraft EXO 22:18 - For offering human sacrifice LEV 20:2-5 - For striking or cursing parents EXO 21:15,17; LEV 20:9 - For disobedience to parents DEU 21:18-21 - For stealing ZEC 5:3,4 - For blasphemy LEV 24:11-14,16,23 - For desecrating the Sabbath EXO 35:2; NUM 15:32-36 - For prophesying falsely DEU 13:1-10 - For sacrificing to false gods EXO 22:20 - For refusing to abide by court decision DEU 17:12 - For treason 1KI 2:25; EST 2:23 - For sedition ACT 5:36,37

MODES OF EXECUTION -- Burning GEN 38:24; LEV 20:14; 21:9; Stoning LEV 20:2,27; 24:14; NUM 14:10; 15:33-36; DEU 13:10; 17:5; 22:21,24; Hanging GEN 40:22; DEU 21:22,23; Beheading MAT 14:10; Sword EXO 32:27,28; 1KI 2:25,34,46; Crucifixion MAT 27:35,38

  • Executed by accusing witnesses DEU 13:9; 17:7; ACT 7:58
  • Executed by entire congregation NUM 15:35,36; DEU 13:9
  • Not inflicted by testimony of less than two witnesses NUM 35:30; DEU 17:6; 19:15

MINOR OFFENSES -- Scourging LEV 19:20; DEU 22:18; 25:2,3; Imprisonment GEN 39:20; Confinement within limits 1KI 2:26,36-38

ENTAILED UPON CHILDREN EXO 34:7; JER 31:29; LAM 5:7; EZK 18:2,3

ACCORDING TO DEEDS JOB 34:11; PSA 62:12; PRO 12:14; MAT 5:22; 16:27; LUK 12:47,48

DESIGN OF -- To secure obedience GEN 2:17; EXO 20:3-5; DEU 13:10,11; 17:13; 19:20; 21:21; PRO 19:25

RESTITUTION

  • For injury to life, limb, or property EXO 21:30-36; LEV 24:18
  • For theft EXO 22:1-4; PRO 6:30,31; EZK 33:15
  • For dishonesty LEV 6:2-5; NUM 5:7; JOB 20:18; EZK 33:15; LUK 19:8

PROPERTY

IN REAL ESTATE GEN 23:17,18; 26:20 - Rights in, violated GEN 21:25; 26:18-22 - Dedicated LEV 27:16-25 - Dwellings alienated for debt LEV 25:29,30 - By absence 2KI 8:1-6 - In villages, inalienable LEV 25:31-33 - Confiscation of (Naboth's vineyard) 1KI 21:15,16 - Priests exempt from taxes GEN 47:22 - Entail of NUM 27:1-11; 36:1-9 - Landmarks not to be removed DEU 19:14; 27:17

PERSONAL - Rights in, sacred EXO 20:17; DEU 5:21 - Laws concerning trespass and violence EXO 21:28-36; 22:9; DEU 23:25 - Strayed, to be returned LEV 6:3,4; DEU 22:1-3 - Hired EXO 22:14,15 - Loaned EXO 22:10-15 - Sold for debt PRO 22:26,27 - Rights of redemption JER 32:7 - In slaves EXO 21:4

THEFT AND THIEVES

General scriptures: EXO 20:15; 21:16; 22:1-4,10-15; LEV 6:2-7; 19:11,13; DEU 5:19; 23:24,25; PSA 50:18; PRO 6:30,31; 21:7; MAT 15:19; 19:18; ROM 2:21; 13:9; 1CO 6:8,10; EPH 4:28; 1PE 4:15; REV 9:21

Instances: Rachel (GEN 31:19); Achan (JOS 7:11); Micah (JDG 17:2); Judas (JHN 12:6)

JUSTICE

General scriptures: EXO 23:1-3,6-8; LEV 19:13-15; DEU 16:18-20; 25:1-4; EZR 7:26; PSA 72:1,2; 82:2-4; PRO 17:15,26; 18:5,17; 20:8; 24:23; 28:21; 29:26; ISA 1:17; 56:1; JER 22:1-4; AMO 5:7,11,12; MIC 7:3; ZEC 8:16; MAT 5:23; JHN 7:24,51; 1CO 13:6

SERVANT (Bond Servant / Slavery Laws)

BOND - Laws of Moses: EXO 21:1-11,20,21,26,27,32; LEV 19:20-22; 25:6,10,35-55; DEU 15:12,14,18; 24:7 - Kidnapping forbidden DEU 21:10-14; 24:7; 1TI 1:10 - Fugitive not to be returned DEU 23:15,16 - Rights of those born to a master GEN 14:14; 17:13,27; EXO 21:4; PRO 29:21 - Bought and sold GEN 17:13,27; 37:28,36; DEU 28:68; EZK 27:13; AMO 8:6 - Captives of war became slaves DEU 20:14; 21:10-14; 2KI 5:2 - Thieves punished by being made servants GEN 43:18; EXO 22:3 - Defaulting debtors made servants LEV 25:39; MAT 18:25 - Voluntary servitude LEV 25:47; DEU 15:16,17 - Master could marry or give in marriage EXO 21:7-10; DEU 21:10-14 - Must be circumcised GEN 17:13,27; EXO 12:44 - Must enjoy religious privileges DEU 12:12,18; 16:11,14; 29:10,11 - Must have rest on the Sabbath EXO 20:10; 23:12; DEU 5:14 - Equal status with other disciples 1CO 7:21,22; GAL 3:28; EPH 6:8 - Kindness commanded LEV 25:43; EPH 6:9 - Emancipation EZR 1:1-4; JER 34:8-22; 1CO 7:21

HIRED - Treatment more considerate than slaves LEV 25:53 - Wages: LEV 19:13; DEU 24:14,15; MAL 3:5; JAS 5:4

DAMAGES AND COMPENSATION

General scriptures: EXO 21:18,19,22,28-34; LEV 6:1-5; DEU 22:13-19,28,29

FINE (A Penalty)

EXO 22:1,4,7-9; LEV 5:15,16; 6:5,6; PRO 6:30,31

RETALIATION

General scriptures: EXO 21:23-25; LEV 19:18; 24:17-22; DEU 19:19-21; PSA 10:2; PRO 20:22; MAT 5:38-44; ROM 12:17,19; 1CO 6:7,8; 1TH 5:15; 1PE 3:9

LAW

General scriptures: PSA 19:7-9; 119:1-8; PRO 28:4,5; MAT 22:21; ROM 2:14,15; 7:7,12,14; 13:10; 1TI 1:5,8-10; JAS 1:25; 1JN 3:4; 5:3

OF MOSES (Contained in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) - Given at Sinai EXO 19; DEU 1:1; 4:10-13; 33:2 - Received by disposition of angels DEU 33:2; ACT 7:53; GAL 3:19; HEB 2:2 - Was given because of transgressions until the Messiah arrived GAL 3:19 - Engraved on stone EXO 20:3-17; 24:12; 31:18; 32:16; 34:29; DEU 4:13; 5:4-22; 9:10 - Preserved in the ark EXO 25:16; DEU 31:9,26 - Formed a constitution for civil government DEU 17:18-20; 2KI 11:12; 2CH 23:11 - Divine authority EXO 19:16-24; 20:1-17; 24:12-18; 31:18; LEV 26:46; DEU 4:10-13; 5:1-22; 9:10; ACT 7:38,53; GAL 3:19

TEMPORARY JER 3:16; DAN 9:27; MAT 5:17-45; JHN 1:17; ACT 6:14; 15:1-29; ROM 7:1-6; 8:3; 10:4; 2CO 3:7-14; GAL 2:3-9; EPH 2:15; COL 2:14-23; HEB 8:4-13; 9:8-24; 10:1-18

LEGISLATION

  • Class, forbidden EXO 12:49; LEV 24:22; NUM 9:14; 15:15,29; GAL 3:28
  • Supplemental, concerning Sabbath-breaking NUM 15:32-35
  • Inheritance NUM 27:1-11

GOVERNMENT

MOSAIC ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM EXO 18:13-26; NUM 11:16,17,24,25; DEU 1:9-17

POPULAR, BY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY - Accepted the law EXO 19:7,8; 24:3,7; DEU 29:10-15 - Chose/ratified chief ruler NUM 27:18-23; 1SA 10:24; 2SA 5:1-3 - Possessed veto power 1SA 14:44,45 - Court in capital cases NUM 35:12,24,25

THEOCRATIC EXO 19:3-8; DEU 26:16-19; 29:1-13; 1SA 8:6,7

MUNICIPAL DEU 19:12; 21:2-8,18-21; 22:13-21; 25:7-9; JOS 20:4; JDG 8:14-16; RUT 4:2-11; 1SA 11:3; 1KI 21:8-14

DUTY OF CITIZENS MAT 22:17-21; ROM 13:1-7; TIT 3:1; 1PE 2:13-17

ORDINANCE

  • A decree EXO 12:14,24,43; 13:10; 15:25; NUM 9:14; 10:8; 15:15; 18:8; ISA 24:5; MAL 4:4; ROM 13:2; 1PE 2:13
  • INSUFFICIENCY OF, FOR SALVATION ISA 1:10-17; GAL 5:6; EPH 2:15; COL 2:14,20-23; HEB 9:1,8-10

CHURCH AND STATE

ECCLESIASTICAL POWER SUPERIOR TO CIVIL -- Appoints kings 1SA 10:1; Directs administration 1SA 15:1-4; Reproves rulers 1SA 15:14-35; Anoints successors 1SA 16:1-13; 2KI 9:1-26

STATE SUPERIOR TO RELIGION -- David organizing priests/Levites 1CH 23-25; Solomon in temple 1KI 2:26,27; 5:8; Hezekiah reorganizing 2CH 31:2-19; Josiah 2CH 34:29-33

CRIME

Partial lists: EZK 22:8-12,27-30; HOS 4:1,2; MAT 15:19; ROM 1:24,29-32; 13:9; 1CO 5:11; GAL 5:19-21

COMMANDMENTS

General: EXO 13:8-10; 20:3-17; DEU 4:5,9,10; 5:6-21; 6:4-9; 11:18-21; JOS 8:30-35; ZEC 7:9,10; 8:16,17

JUDGMENT (The General)

Broad topic covering final judgment. Key civil-law-relevant references: 1CH 16:33; PSA 9:7; ECC 3:17; 12:14; MAT 12:36; ROM 2:5-10,12-16; 2CO 5:10; REV 20:11-15

ADJUDICATION AT LAW

  • TO BE AVOIDED PRO 17:14; 20:3; 25:8-10; MAT 5:25

MORAL LAW

  • See LAW (Nave's cross-references to the general LAW topic)

CIVIL DAMAGES

  • See DAMAGES AND COMPENSATION (cross-reference)