# scribe

## Related Ideas:

clerk, scholar

## Definition:

Scribes were officials who were responsible for writing or copying important government or religious documents by hand. Another name for a Jewish scribe was "expert in Jewish law."

* Scribes were responsible for copying and preserving the books of the Old Testament.
* They also copied, preserved, and interpreted religious opinions and commentary on the law of God.
* At times, scribes were important government officials.
* Important biblical scribes include Baruch and Ezra.
* In the New Testament, the term translated "scribes" was also translated as "teachers of the Law."
* In the New Testament, scribes were usually part of the religious group called the "Pharisees," and the two groups were frequently mentioned together.

(See also: [law](../kt/lawofmoses.md), [Pharisee](../kt/pharisee.md))

## Bible References:

* [Acts 04:05](rc://en/tn/help/act/04/05)
* [Luke 07:29-30](rc://en/tn/help/luk/07/29)
* [Luke 20:47](rc://en/tn/help/luk/20/47)
* [Mark 01:22](rc://en/tn/help/mrk/01/22)
* [Mark 02:16](rc://en/tn/help/mrk/02/16)
* [Matthew 05:19-20](rc://en/tn/help/mat/05/19)
* [Matthew 07:28](rc://en/tn/help/mat/07/28)
* [Matthew 12:38](rc://en/tn/help/mat/12/38)
* [Matthew 13:52](rc://en/tn/help/mat/13/52)

## Word Data:

* Strong's: H5608, H5613, H7083, G1122

## Forms Found in the English ULB:

clerk, scholar, scribe, scribes