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Scribes in the Bible: Difference between revisions

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==The Role of Scribes in Biblical History==
==The Role of Scribes in Biblical History==
===Scribes in the Old Testament===
===Scribes in the Old Testament===
The title ''scribe'' first appeared among officials serving under King [[David]] after he established his kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+8%3A17&version=NIV |title=2 Samuel 8:17 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> It is also mentioned in lists of royal officials following David’s suppression of [https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm?topic=BT0003812 Sheba]’s rebellion<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+20%3A23-26&version=NIV |title=2 Samuel 20:23–26 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and [[Solomon]]’s ascension to the throne.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+4%3A1-3&version=NIV |title=1 Kings 4:1–3 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>
The title ''scribe'' first appeared among officials serving under King [[David]] after he established his kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+8%3A17&version=NIV |title=2 Samuel 8:17 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> It is also mentioned in the lists of royal officials following David’s suppression of [https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm?topic=BT0003812 Sheba]’s rebellion<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+20%3A23-26&version=NIV |title=2 Samuel 20:23–26 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and [[Solomon]]’s ascension to the throne.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+4%3A1-3&version=NIV |title=1 Kings 4:1–3 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>


Scribes were responsible for recording and managing documents,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+34%3A13&version=NIV |title=2 Chronicles 34:13 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> often serving as the king’s secretaries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+27%3A32&version=NIV |title=1 Chronicles 27:32 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> Their role was first mentioned during the reign of King Joash in connection with the establishment of new regulations for temple repairs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+12%3A4-16&version=NIV |title=2 Kings 12:4–16 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> At that time, the term “scribe” retained its literal meaning of “writing and counting”<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+24%3A11&version=NIV |title=2 Chronicles 24:11 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and was also used in the sense of a secretary.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2012%3A10&version=NIV 2 Kings 12:10]</ref> Under King [[Hezekiah]], the scribe Shebna was entrusted with an important mission—negotiating with the Assyrians.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+36%3A2-3&version=NIV |title=Isaiah 36:2–3, 22 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> During King [[Josiah]]’s reign, the scribe Shaphan acted as an accountant<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+22%3A3-6&version=NIV |title=2 Kings 22:3–6 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and read the rediscovered Book of the Law aloud to the king.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2034%3A15%E2%80%9318&version=NIV |title= 2 Chronicles 34:15–18 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>
Scribes were responsible for recording and managing documents,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+34%3A13&version=NIV |title=2 Chronicles 34:13 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> often serving as the king’s secretaries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+27%3A32&version=NIV |title=1 Chronicles 27:32 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> Their role was first mentioned during the reign of King Joash in connection with the establishment of new regulations for temple repairs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+12%3A4-16&version=NIV |title=2 Kings 12:4–16 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> At that time, the term “scribe” retained its literal meaning of “writing and counting”<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+24%3A11&version=NIV |title=2 Chronicles 24:11 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and was also used in the sense of a secretary.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2012%3A10&version=NIV 2 Kings 12:10]</ref> Under King [[Hezekiah]], the scribe Shebna was entrusted with an important mission—negotiating with the Assyrians.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+36%3A2-3&version=NIV |title=Isaiah 36:2–3, 22 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> During King [[Josiah]]’s reign, the scribe Shaphan acted as an accountant<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+22%3A3-6&version=NIV |title=2 Kings 22:3–6 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and read the rediscovered Book of the Law aloud to the king.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2034%3A15%E2%80%9318&version=NIV |title= 2 Chronicles 34:15–18 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>
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In ancient times, literacy was rare, requiring extensive education and training. Writing materials like papyrus and parchment were scarce and expensive, limiting literacy to a select educated upper class.
In ancient times, literacy was rare, requiring extensive education and training. Writing materials like papyrus and parchment were scarce and expensive, limiting literacy to a select educated upper class.


Scribes used tools such as reed pens<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+8%3A8&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 8:8 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and stylographs,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+19%3A23-24&version=NIV |title=Job 19:23–24 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+17%3A1&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 17:1 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> a small knife (to cut papyrus),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+36%3A23&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 36:23 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> Ink made from soot, ash, or liquid charcoal mixed with tree resin or oil<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+36%3A18&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 36:18 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> (though easily washed away with water). They wrote on materials such as animal skins, papyrus sheets, and cloth.
Scribes used tools such as reed pens,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+8%3A8&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 8:8 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> stylographs,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+19%3A23-24&version=NIV |title=Job 19:23–24 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+17%3A1&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 17:1 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> a small knife (to cut papyrus),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+36%3A23&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 36:23 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and Ink made from soot, ash, or liquid charcoal mixed with tree resin or oil<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+36%3A18&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 36:18 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> (though easily washed away with water). They wrote on materials such as animal skins, papyrus sheets, and cloth.


===The Babylonian Exile and the Intertestamental Period===
===The Babylonian Exile and the Intertestamental Period===
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