5378 law, OT

OT laws and legal traditions govern every aspect of the life of the covenant people of God.

Kinds of OT law

Criminal law Ex 21:12-14 Criminal law deals with crimes against persons punishable by a court.

Civil law Dt 16:18-20 Civil law deals with the upholding in court of legally established rights against possible abuse. See also Dt 15:12-18

Social law Ex 22:21-22 Social law deals with behaviour or standards of behaviour which are not strictly enforceable in the courts. See also Dt 24:19-22

Cultic law Cultic law deals explicitly with the ritual or religious life of the people of God. Leviticus chapters 1-7 are totally devoted to this kind of law: Lev 1:10-13; Lev 4:13-21; Lev 7:11-18

Examples of OT law

Conditions for freeing servants Ex 21:2-6 pp Dt 15:12-18 See also Ex 21:3-11; Lev 25:39-55

Dealing with injuries Ex 21:23-25 See also Mt 5:38

Property is to be protected Ex 22:1 See also Lev 6:1-7; Lk 19:8

The rights of aliens must be respected Ex 22:21 See also Lev 19:33; Dt 10:19

Justice must be universally respected Ex 23:2-3 See also Lev 19:15

The Sabbath must be observed by all Ex 23:12 See also Ex 20:8-11

Three annual festivals are to be celebrated Ex 23:15-16 See also Ex 12:17; Dt 16:16

Worship must be in accordance with God’s will and must be kept pure Dt 12:1-7; Dt 13:6-8

Certain foods are declared to be unclean Lev 11:1-23 pp Dt 14:3-20

A tenth of all produce must be given to God Dt 14:22 See also Lev 27:30

Cultic laws are grounded in the holiness of God Lev 11:44; Lev 19:1-2 See also 1Pe 1:16 Full details were given for each type of offering: burnt, grain, fellowship, sin and guilt offerings. Only perfect animals were to be offered: Lev 1:3; Lev 2:1-2; Lev 3:1-2; Lev 4:27-28; Lev 5:17-18

Rules governing infectious or contagious diseases Lev 13:2; Lev 15:13

There must not be unlawful sexual relations Lev 18:6

A Day of Atonement must be held See also Lev 23:26-32 pp Lev 16:2-34 pp Nu 29:7-11

See also