# scribe, scribes, 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