God's Laws Contents:
I. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
A. Patriarchal. The family being the unit of life, the father as head of the family was the authoritative Ruler: Judges 11:29-40; Job 1:5
B. Theocracy. God was the direct ruler of His people: Exodus 19:3-8
C. Government by judges. The people forgot God. God chastised them by selling them into slavery to their enemies. Upon repentance God raised up military chieftains as deliverers: Judges 2:13-18
D. Monarchy. This was begun by the coronation of Saul, reached its height in David and Solomon, and ended with the Babylonian captivity: I Samuel 10:24
II. CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE THEOCRACY
A. Israelites. Those of Israel who ratified the covenant of Sinai, and later their children, were entitled to the rights of citizenship: Exodus 19:5-8; Deuteronomy 6:1-9
B. Moabites and Ammonites excluded: Deuteronomy 23:3
C. Edomites and Egyptians in the third generation were eligible: Deuteronomy 23:7, 8
III. LAWS OF THE THEOCRACY
A. Pertaining to citizenship
1. Law applied equally to strangers as to natives: Leviticus 24:22; Numbers 15:22-30
2. Jew not to marry a stranger: Genesis 34:14
3. Strangers could own slaves: Leviticus 25:47-55
B. Pertaining to slavery
1. Slaves obtained
a. Captured in war: Numbers 31:7-11
b. Inherited: Leviticus 25:45-46
c. Bought: Exodus 21:2
d. Sold for debt or theft: Exodus 22:3; Deuteronomy 15:12
2. How to treat slaves
a. Israelites could be redeemed from slavery: Leviticus 25:47-55
b. Jewish slaves to be set free in Year of Jubilee: Leviticus 25:39-41
c. Regarded as part of owner's household and possession: Genesis 12:16; Exodus 20:17
d. Could be struck by master: Exodus 21:20, 21
e. Fugitive not to be returned: Deuteronomy 23:15, 16; I Samuel 30:15
f. Freed if ill-treated: Exodus 21:26, 27
g. To enjoy the Sabbath: Exodus 20:10
C. Pertaining to taxation
1. Census taken: Luke 2:1-3
2. Purpose of taxes
a. Valuation of persons: Leviticus 27:1-13
b. Temple service: Exodus 30:11-16; II Chronicles 24:6, 9
c. Taxes: Matthew 22:15-21; Romans 13:6, 7
3. Amount of taxes: I Samuel 8:10-18
4. Priests and attendants exempt: Ezra 7:24
D. Military laws
1. Age of soldiers: Numbers 1:2, 3, 26:2
2. Selective draft: Numbers 31:3-7
3. Exemption from service
a. Leviticusites: Numbers 1:49
b. Certain individuals: Deuteronomy 20:5-7
c. Fainthearted: Deuteronomy 20:8
4. Cleanliness in camp: Numbers 31:19, 20; Deuteronomy 23:9-14
5. Regulations in battle
a. Notice to be given: Deuteronomy 20:10, 11
b. Fruit trees spared: Deuteronomy 20:19, 20
c. Treatment of captives: Numbers 21:2, 3, 35, 31:17, 18; Deuteronomy 20:14-18; Joshua 11:14
d. Plunder: Deuteronomy 20:14
e. Indemnity: II Kings 3:4
IV. CRIMINAL LAWS
A. Crimes against the public
1. Bribery: Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; Proverbs 17:23
2. Contempt for the law: Numbers 15:30; Deuteronomy 6:16, 17 Penalty: Deuteronomy 17:12, 13
3. Perjury: Exodus 20:16; Leviticus 19:12 Penalty: Deuteronomy 19:16-20
4. Perverting or obstructing justice: Exodus 23:1, 2, 6; Leviticus 19:15; Ps. 82:2 Penalty: Deuteronomy 16:19, 20
5. Conspiracy: II Samuel 15:10-12
B. Crimes of immoral acts
1. Adultery: Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18 Penalty: Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22-25
2. Rape: Deuteronomy 22:25, 26 Penalty: Deuteronomy 22:25-29
3. Prostitution: Deuteronomy 23:17 Penalty: Leviticus 19:29, 21:9
4. Seduction: Exodus 22:16, 17 Penalty: Deuteronomy 22:28, 29
5. Incest: Leviticus 18:6-18; Deuteronomy 22:30 Penalty: Leviticus 20:11-21
6. Sodomy: Leviticus 18:22, 23; Deuteronomy 23:17 Penalty: Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 20:13, 15, 16
C. Crimes against persons
1. Murder: Exodus 20:13 Penalty: Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:12
2. Manslaughter: Exodus 21:12-14; Joshua 20:3-6 Penalty: Numbers 35:11, 22-28
3. Assault: Exodus 21:18-26 Penalty: Exodus 21:19-27; Leviticus 24:19, 20
4. Kidnapping: Exodus 21:16; Deuteronomy 24:7
5. Slander: Leviticus 19:16
D. Crimes against property
1. Stealing: Exodus 20:15, 22:1-12; Deuteronomy 23:24, 25
2. Arson: Exodus 22:6
3. Moving a landmark: Deuteronomy 19:14
V. LAWS PERTAINING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS
A. Marriage
1. Ordained by God: Genesis 1:27, 28, 2:18, 24
2. Within the tribe: Numbers 36:6
3. Polygamy forbidden: 1 Corinthians 7:2; I Timothy 3:2 (sic.)
4. Marriage forbidden with:
a. Stepmother: Leviticus 18:8, 20:11
b. Aliens: Exodus 34:13-17; Deuteronomy 7:1-3
c. Sister: Leviticus 20:17
d. Aunt: Leviticus 20:19
e. Grandchild: Leviticus 18:10
f. Daughter-in-law: Leviticus 18:15
5. Divorce: Leviticus 21:7, 22:13; Isaiah 50:1; I Corinthians 7:10, 11
a. Not to remarry woman divorced by another man: Deuteronomy 24:1-4
b. For committing adultery: Jeremiah 3:8
B. Parent and child
1. Father has authority over child: Numbers 30:3-5
2. Father to arrange marriage: Genesis 24:2-4
3. Parents to educate: Deuteronomy 21:18-21; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4
4. Parents to discipline: Deuteronomy 21:18-21; Proverbs 22:15
5. Children to honor parents: Exodus 20:12, 21:15
6. Children to be regarded as gift of God: Genesis 33:5, 48:9; Joshua 24:3
7. Penalty for children who dishonor parents: Leviticus 20:9; Deuteronomy 21:18-21
VI. ESTATES -- DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION LAWS
A. Inheritance
1. Sons inherit father's estate: Genesis 21:10-13; I Chronicles 5:1
2. Double portion to firstborn: Deuteronomy 21:15-17
3. Wife not heir, but descends with property to next of kin: Ruth 4:1-12
4. Daughters heirs when no sons: Numbers 27:8, 9
5. When no sons or daughters, inheritance to nearest relative Numbers 27:9-11
B. Real property titles
1. Real estate
a. Land divided among tribes: Numbers 26:52-56; Joshua 14:5
b. Not transferable: Numbers 36:6-9
c. Not permanently sold: Leviticus 25:23-28
d. Value of land according to years after Jubilee: Leviticus 25:15, 16
e. Release of land: Leviticus 25:8-34
f. Mode of transfer
(1) Deed made: Jeremiah. 32:9-14
(2) Taking off sandal: Ruth 4:3-11
(3) Deed delivered in presence of witnesses: Jeremiah. 32:10, 12
(4) Deed recorded: Jeremiah. 32:14
2. Personal property (All property which is moveable, as against real property such as houses and lands)
a. Sale recognized: Leviticus 25:14
b. Pledges of:
(1) Children given as: II Kings 4:1-7
(2) Upper and lower millstone prohibited: Deuteronomy 24:6 ????
(3) Not retained over night: Exodus 22:26, 27; Deuteronomy 24:13
(4) Voluntary: Deuteronomy 24:10, 11
VII. SOCIAL SECURITY AND WELFARE LAWS
A. Widows and orphans: Exodus 22:22, 23; Deuteronomy 14:28, 29; Acts 6:1-4; I Timothy 5:3-16
1. Widow to marry nearest relative: Deuteronomy 25:5-10
2. Widow and orphans not to be oppressed: Zechariah 7:9-12; Malachi 3:5
B. Neighbors: Leviticus 19:13
C. The poor: Exodus 22:25-27; Leviticus 19:9, 10; Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Luke 3:11, 14:13, 14
D. Strangers or aliens: Leviticus 19:33, 34; Deuteronomy 24:19-22; Zechariah 7:9-12
E. Poor and needy: Deuteronomy 24:14-15
F. Servants: Deuteronomy 24:14-15
G. Handicapped
1. Blind: Leviticus 19:14; Deuteronomy 27:18; Luke 14:13, 14
2. Deaf: Leviticus 19:14
3. Lame: Luke 14:12-14
VIII. LAWS PERTAINING TO CONTRACTS
A. Debts: Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 15:1-3; Nehemiah 5:10, 11
B. With neighbors: Deuteronomy 15:1-3
C. With foreigners: Deuteronomy 15:1-3
D. Interest: Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:35-37; Deuteronomy 23:19, 20; Ezek. 18:10-13
E. Loans: Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 23:19, 20; II Kings 4:1-7; Nehemiah 5:2-5
F. Mortgages: Nehemiah 5:2-5
G. Pledges: (See VI. B. 2)
H. Sales: Leviticus 25:14
I. Sales of Land: Leviticus 25:23-28; Ruth 4:3-11; Jeremiah. 32:9-14
J. Of servitude: Exodus 21:2-4; Deuteronomy 15:12
K. Sureties: Proverbs 6:1, 2, 17:18
IX. RELIGIOUS LAWS
A. Clean and unclean meat: Leviticus 11:2-31; Deuteronomy 14:3-21
B. Forbidden foods
1. Fat and blood: Leviticus 17:10-14
2. Flesh torn by beasts: Exodus 22:31
3. Fruit of young trees: Leviticus 19:23-25
C. Sacred obligations
1. Firstborn: Exodus 34:19, 20
2. First fruits: Exodus 34:26; Deuteronomy 18:4
3. Tithes: Genesis 14:19, 20; Leviticus 27:30-33; II Chronicles 31:4-12; Malachi 3:8-11; Matthew 23:23
4. Atonement money: Exodus 30:12-16
5. Freewill offering: Leviticus 22:17-20; Numbers 15:1-4
D. Sacred calendar
1. Sabbath: Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 16:23; Leviticus 23:3; Numbers 28:9, 10; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Nehemiah 10:31; Ezek. 46:3
a. Punishment for not keeping: Numbers 15:32-36
b. Made for man: Mark 2:23-28
c. Healing on the Sabbath: Luke 13:14-17, 14:3-5; John 5:8-16
2. Passover: Exodus 12:1-14; Deuteronomy 16:1-8; Ezek. 45:21, 24; Luke 22:7-18
3. Feast of Unleavened Bread: Exodus 34:18
4. Feast of Weeks: Deuteronomy 16:9-11
5. Feast of Tabernacles: Leviticus 23:33-44; Numbers 29:12-40; Deuteronomy 16:13-17
6. Sabbatical (seventh) Year: Exodus 21:2-6, 23:10, 11; Leviticus 25:1-7; Deuteronomy 15:1-14; II Chronicles 36:21; Nehemiah 10:31
7. Day of Atonement: Leviticus 23:26-32
E. Crimes against God
1. Worship of false gods: Exodus 20:1-5 Penalty: Exodus 22:20
2. Spiritualism: Leviticus 20:27 Penalty: Exodus 22:18
3. Blasphemy: Leviticus 24:16; Deuteronomy 5:11 Penalty: Leviticus 24:16
X. LAWS PERTAINING TO LEGAL PROCEDURE
A. Judges appointed: Exodus 18:13-26; II Chronicles 19:4-11
1. Moses, first judge: Exodus 18:13-27
2. Priests judge in small matters: Exodus 18:22
3. King as judge: I Kings 7:1-7
B. Submission of cases
1. Ordinary cases submitted to judges: Deuteronomy 25:1, 2
2. Exceptional cases taken to Leviticusitical priest for verdict: Deuteronomy 17:8-11
3. Extreme cases submitted to the LORD for decision: Numbers 5:11-31; Deuteronomy 21:1-9
4. Judges must not pervert justice: Exodus 23:6-8
5. Bribery forbidden: Deuteronomy 16:18-20
C. Where courts were held
1. At gate of city: Deuteronomy 21:19
2. In Hall of judgment: I Kings 7:7
D. Judgments
1. Regarded as from God: Deuteronomy 1:17
2. Righteous to be justified and wicked condemned: Deuteronomy 25:1
3. Sentence to be executed Deuteronomy 25:2, 3
E. Appeals
1. To Moses: Exodus 18:26
2. To priests: Deuteronomy 17:8-11
3. To the king: I Kings 3:16-27
F. Damages
1. For disfiguring a person: Leviticus 24:19, 20
2. For stealing: Exodus 22:4, 5
3. Kindling a fire which destroys property: Exodus 22:6
4. Breach of trust: Leviticus 6:1-5
5. Killing an animal: Exodus 21:35, 36; Leviticus 24:18, 21
6. Loss of animal falling into pit: Exodus 21:33, 34
7. Loss of borrowed property: Exodus 22:14
G. Methods of punishment
1. Infliction in kind: Genesis 9:6; Leviticus 24:19, 20
2. Burning: Leviticus 20:14
3. Mutilation: Deuteronomy 25:11,12
4. Hanging: Deuteronomy 21:22, 23
5. Stoning: Leviticus 24:16
6. Beating: Deuteronomy 25:2, 3
7. Excommunication: Ezra 10:8
8. Imprisonment: Ezra 7:26
9. Compensation for damages: Exodus 21:19, 32, 36
10. Restitution for stolen or borrowed property: Exodus 22:12, 14, 15
H. Method of protection
1. Cities of refuge appointed: Numbers 35:6-15
2. Protection till trial could be held: Numbers 35:12
3. Murderer unprotected Numbers 35:30, 31
4. Unintentional manslayer remained in city of refuge till death of high priest: Joshua 20:1-6
XI. TORT LAWS
A. Assault: Exodus 21:18, 19
B. Compensation: Exodus 21:18, 19, 32
C. Damage by animals: Exodus 21:32
D. Damage by fire: Exodus 22:6
E. Injury to animals: Exodus 21:33-36; Leviticus 24:18, 21
F. Loss of borrowed property: Exodus 22:14, 15
G. Personal injury: Leviticus 24:19, 20
H. Rights of strangers: Leviticus 24:22
XII. LAWS OF SANITATION AND CLEANLINESS
A. Cleansing the woman after childbirth: Leviticus 12:1-8
B. Test for leprosy: Leviticus 13:1-59
C. Cleansing of the leper's house: Leviticus 14:33-57
D. Cleansing of males with discharge: Leviticus 15:1-15
E. Laws concerning the woman during menstruation: Leviticus 15:24-33
XIII. LAWS PERTAINING TO ANIMALS
A. Beasts of burden: Exodus 23:12; Deuteronomy 25:4
B. Beasts of the field: Exodus 23:11
C. Mother and young: Leviticus 22:28; Deuteronomy 22:6, 7
D. Enemy's animals: Exodus 23:4, 5; Deuteronomy 22:4
XIV. LAWS CONCERNING INTEREST AND LOANS
Interest on money was called usury in biblical times. (Now usury means excessive interest.)
A. Taking of interest forbidden among Jews: Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 23:19, 20 The money was borrowed for relief of distress.
B. Allowed to be taken from foreigners: Deuteronomy 23:20 Money was borrowed by foreigner to develop trade.
C. Property returned without interest: Nehemiah 5:11-13
D. Differing weights and measures forbidden: Deuteronomy 25:13-16
This article is written by Bob Green, taken from The Open Bible Expanded Edition, New King James Version, Copyright 1983, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. used by permission.
