Scribes in the Bible

Portrait of Jean Miélot by Jean Le Tavernier, a Belgian painter, 15th century: Scribes in the Bible copied and studied the law and taught it.

A scribe in the Bible refers to a professional who copied, studied, and taught the Law. The term also applies to administrative officials responsible for preparing a nation’s official documents. After the Babylonian exile, scribes took on a significant religious role, particularly in copying and teaching the Scriptures—a tradition that continued into New Testament times. However, by the time of the New Testament, many scribes had become legalistic and hypocritical, emphasizing external rituals over the true spirit of the Law, which led to Jesus’ rebuke of them.

Meaning of the Title, Scribe

The Hebrew word for scribe is Sopher (סֹפֵר), derived from the verb Saphar (סָפַר), meaning “to write” or “to count.” This root forms the basis for terms like scribe or secretary. In Greek, the equivalent word is Grammateus (γραμματεύς). In the Bible, the term most commonly refers to individuals who copied the Scriptures, particularly the Pentateuch, and taught God’s law. In New Testament times, scribes were sometimes referred to as teachers of the law. Most of them were associated with the Pharisees and served as key figures in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council.

The Role of Scribes in Biblical History

Scribes in the Old Testament

The title scribe first appeared among officials serving under King David after he established his kingdom. It is also mentioned in the lists of royal officials following David’s suppression of Sheba’s rebellion and Solomon’s ascension to the throne.

Scribes were responsible for recording and managing documents, often serving as the king’s secretaries. Their role was first mentioned during the reign of King Joash in connection with the establishment of new regulations for temple repairs. At that time, the term “scribe” retained its literal meaning of “writing and counting” and was also used in the sense of a secretary. Under King Hezekiah, the scribe Shebna was entrusted with an important mission—negotiating with the Assyrians. During King Josiah’s reign, the scribe Shaphan acted as an accountant and read the rediscovered Book of the Law aloud to the king.

Baruch, son of Neriah, served as a scribe and assistant to the prophet Jeremiah. He transcribed Jeremiah’s dictations verbatim, copied legal documents, and wrote official letters. Although it is unclear whether Baruch held an official administrative role, he was regarded as a learned man.

In ancient times, literacy was rare, requiring extensive education and training. Writing materials like papyrus and parchment were scarce and expensive, limiting literacy to a select educated upper class.

Scribes used tools such as reed pens, stylographs, a small knife (to cut papyrus), and Ink made from soot, ash, or liquid charcoal mixed with tree resin or oil (though easily washed away with water). They wrote on materials such as animal skins, papyrus sheets, and cloth.

The Babylonian Exile and the Intertestamental Period

A portrait of Ezra, a Jewish priest and scribe: A 16th-century illustration by French printer Guillaume Rouillé

Following the Babylonian exile, the returning Jews made great efforts to observe the Law of Moses. As a result, the influence of scribes—who were responsible for studying, copying, and teaching the Law—grew significantly within Jewish society.

One of the most prominent scribes after the exile was Ezra. He not only taught the Law to the people but is also believed to have written the book of Ezra, Nehemiah, and 1 & 2 Chronicles. This supports the biblical account that, as a priest, Ezra also fulfilled the roles of a scribe and a teacher of the Law of God.

During the Intertestamental Period, synagogues became increasingly important, leading to the emergence of Jewish scholars dedicated to preserving and teaching the Law. Under Greek rule and amid various external pressures, scribes worked to safeguard the Law and ensure its application to daily life. As leaders of religious life well-versed in the Law, they earned deep respect among the people.

Scribes in the New Testament

In the New Testament, scribes are sometimes translated as “teachers of the Law,” “lawyers,” or “scholars.” Just as Ezra, the scribe and priest in the Old Testament, taught the Law to the people, scribes in the New Testament continued to teach God’s word, including the Old Testament Law, in Jewish communities. However, the Gospels recount how people were amazed by Jesus’ teaching, as it was strikingly different from that of the scribes. While scribes originally served as record keepers, they gradually took on the role of educators, establishing themselves as teachers of the Law.

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Matthew 7:28–29

Most scribes were Pharisees and held many seats in the Sanhedrin, making them influential religious leaders. They established strict legal regulations and did not tolerate any violations. In addition to the written Law recorded in the Scripture, they insisted on following oral traditions, such as the tradition of the elders. However, over time, they drifted away from God’s true will, becoming excessively legalistic. Instead of upholding the fundamental spirit of the Law, they fell into ritualism and hypocrisy, which led to Jesus’ strong rebuke. They sought honor from people, despised tax collectors and sinners, and refused to associate with them.

Jesus and the Scribes

Jesus Rebuked the Scribes as Hypocrites

The Scribe Stood to Tempt Jesus by James Tissot, a 19th-century French artist

The scribes were hostile toward Jesus, constantly seeking to find faults in His teachings and criticize Him. Some considered Him blasphemous for declaring the forgiveness of sins. Others falsely accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Additionally, the scribes actively conspired with the Sadducean priests to have Jesus crucified. Even after Jesus’ death and resurrection, they continued to persecute the early Church, playing a key role in the harassment of Peter and John and the execution of Stephen. However, a few scribes recognized Jesus’ teachings and chose to follow Him. Some even supported Paul in discussions regarding the soul.

Jesus taught the people to accept the correct aspects of the scribes’ teachings but warned them not to follow their example, as they did not practice what they preached. He strongly rebuked their hypocrisy, declaring that they who constantly opposed and slandered the gospel were shutting the door of the kingdom of heaven

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.”

Matthew 23:13–15

The Parable of the Scribes Who Became Disciples of Heaven

While many scribes rejected Jesus out of pride and arrogance, He also spoke of scribes who would become disciples of the kingdom of heaven.

He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

Matthew 13:52

A scribe refers to a person who copies the Bible and teaches the words of God. However, in Jesus’ time, many scribes took pride in their knowledge and rejected Christ’s teachings. As a result, in God’s eyes, they became those who neither enter the kingdom of heaven nor allow others to. In contrast, the scribes who are disciples of heaven are those who accept the gospel of the kingdom preached by Christ and teach God’s word accordingly. Jesus compared such a scribe to a householder who brings out both new and old treasures from his storeroom. This signifies that a true worker of the gospel properly applies both the new teachings given by God and the previous ones, effectively spreading the message of the kingdom of heaven.

See also

• The Pharisees
• The Sadducees
• The Law of Moses
• Sanhedrin