Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

My understanding of the consensus of opinion among modern Bible scholars is that the specific term "the Book of the Law" did not consist of the entirety of the first five books of the Bible (especially those portions containing a narrative of events, as opposed to commandments or prescribed worship practices, where God was either speaking directly or through Moses), but referred to the summary or recapitulation of the Law contained in chapters 5-28 of the book of Deuteronomy.

January 20 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt Supporter

In Nehemiah 8:1 is mentioned the ‘Book of the Law of Moses.’ What was this book? 

A clue is to find the first mention of the specific phrase, ‘the Book of the Law.’ It is found in Deuteronomy 28:61, 29:21, 30:10, and 31:26, only here in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. 

Another clue is found in II Chronicles 34:14 when Hilkiah found the book. Some say it is the whole Torah or Pentateuch which is called the Law, but that is quite lengthy for a book or scroll. The Pentateuch was probably five books as that is what Pentateuch means.

Another clue is when was read to King Josiah, he rent his garments when he heard it, II Chronicles 34:19. It had to be a portion that would elicit this response. Not all the Pentateuch or all of Deuteronomy would necessarily do that.

The next clue is finding where the section begins, which is at Deuteronomy 27:1 when Moses gives the elders of Israel instructions to keep the commandments given them. They were to write them on the stones that day, Deuteronomy 27:8. Then what followed was the blessing and cursing passage. The section ends at the end of chapter 30. Note the final words of Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Then in Deuteronomy 31:24, 25, Moses instructs the Levites to place this book by the ark of the covenant, which means something preceding this. So, chapters 27-30 may be the book.

These chapters reveal the great “wrath of the LORD that is poured out on us.” II Chronicles 34:21. Huldah the prophetess mentioned “all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king…” II Chronicles 34:24. Also Deuteronomy 29:1 speaks of it as a covenant which dovetails with Josiah’s reading “the words of the Book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the LORD.” II Chronicles 34:30.

When Joshua succeeded Moses as leader, God reminded him to keep these words, Joshua 1:8. In Joshua 8:31-34, Joshua built the altar, wrote the words of the Book of the Law and read it aloud. Just before Joshua died, he gathered the people to encourage them once more to do all that was written in it, Joshua 23:6. In Joshua 24:26, Joshua noted down in it the renewal of the covenant. The closing charge of Joshua 24:14, 15, is very much like the closing charge of Moses, Deuteronomy 30:15-20. There may have been a renewal of the covenant every 40 years.

This Book of the Law was read and re-read and explained by Ezra in Nehemiah 8:1, 3, 18, and 9:3 during the feast of tabernacles. 

In his prayer, Daniel refers to the same book as ‘The Law of Moses,’ Daniel 9:11-13, and mentions the curse due to disobedience.

Paul likely refers to the same book of the law in Galatians 3:10, which quotes Deuteronomy 27:26, a verse from within the passage. 

Deuteronomy 27-30 is likely the ‘Book of the Law.’

January 29 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is the "Book of the Law"?

The "Book of the Law" (Hebrew: Torah) refers to the first five books of the Bible—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Traditionally attributed to Moses, these books contain the covenant, laws, and commandments delivered by God to the Israelites, guiding their religious, social, and moral lives.

Purpose: 

It was designed to teach, instruct, and guide the Israelites in holiness and their relationship with God. 

Nehemiah 8:1 ESV: "And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Jehovah had commanded to Israel."

Context of the Passage:

The Setting: The newly returned Jewish exiles gathered in the open square in Jerusalem in front of the Water Gate.

The Leaders: They requested that Ezra, a priest and scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, bring out the scroll.

The Reading: On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra read aloud from the scroll from early morning until midday to an assembly of men, women, and all who could understand.

The Response: As the Law was read and the Levites explained it to the crowd, the people wept as they realised how they had strayed from God's commands. However, the leaders encouraged them to rejoice because it was a holy day.

Nehemiah 8 reminds us that hearing the Word of God is an occasion for joy, not sorrow and regret. 1. All the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel.

The text notes that all the people gathered "as one man" (or with one unified purpose). Despite the immense diversity of the returning exiles, their shared trauma, and previous disorganisation, they were drawn together by a collective hunger to hear the Law of Moses.

Nehemiah 8:1-12 describes a powerful spiritual revival where Ezra reads the Law of Moses to the gathered Israelites. Upon hearing the Word, the people weep under conviction of sin, but Nehemiah and Ezra instruct them to celebrate, declaring that "The joy of the Lord is your strength."

12 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report