# scribe, expert in the Jewish law # ## Definition: ## Scribes were officials who were responsible to write or copy 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 religions 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 "scribes" is 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 are frequently mentioned together. (See also: [law](../kt/lawofmoses.md), [Pharisee](../other/pharisee.md)) ## Bible References: ## * [Acts 04:5-7](en/tn/act/help/04/05) * [Luke 07:29-30](en/tn/luk/help/07/29) * [Luke 20:45-47](en/tn/luk/help/20/45) * [Mark 01:21-22](en/tn/mrk/help/01/21) * [Mark 02:15-16](en/tn/mrk/help/02/15) * [Matthew 05:19-20](en/tn/mat/help/05/19) * [Matthew 07:28-29](en/tn/mat/help/07/28) * [Matthew 12:38-40](en/tn/mat/help/12/38) * [Matthew 13:51-53](en/tn/mat/help/13/51)