Scribe — Meaning in the Bible
A writer and teacher of the law. Ezra was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses; in the Gospels scribes are experts in the law.
Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition
What it means
Scribes wrote documents and copied texts. Ezra is described as "a skilled scribe in the law of Moses" who taught it to the people. Jeremiah 36:4Ezra 7:6Nehemiah 8:1–8
In the Gospels the scribes (also called teachers of the law or lawyers) question Jesus. One scribe asked which commandment is greatest and was told he was not far from the kingdom. Mark 2:6–7Mark 12:28–34
Key passages
- Jeremiah 36:4 — Baruch writes Jeremiah's words.
- Ezra 7:6–10 — Ezra the scribe.
- Nehemiah 8:1–8 — Ezra reads the law.
- Mark 12:28–34 — A scribe close to the kingdom.
Study further
- Nehemiah 8 The law read aloud.
- Mark 12:28–34 The greatest commandment.