613 Laws of Old Testament |
Creation date: 10-Dec-2021 |
Known as the Mitzvot | Last updated: 28-Dec-2021 |
An Informative Good Reference List for the Christian | |
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There are many Biblical Scholars that are Christian and also Jewish who sometimes reference a list of 613 Laws as being important to know and understand. Unfortunately, there are problems with the creation and interpretation of the 613 laws as discussed in this topic.
The 613 Laws are believed to be based on historical writing by Simalai in the 3rd Century CE. There is also a newer list made and grouped later by Maimonides in the 12 Century CE.
It is clear that the requirements of God, that can be called laws for serving and worshipping God: The laws began to be known after the Garden Of Eden, where the scriptural history will show that some of the laws, and not all, were:
It is important as a Christian that we are no longer fully under all of the laws of the Old Testament period that were written down by Moses, but there are are laws that are still relevant and to be followed.
An excerpt from the "Are we under the Mosaic
Laws?
No" topic.
The purpose of the Mosaic Laws, in the Old Testament, had seven major objectives:
The Mosaic Laws are the laws which Israel were mandated to follow, given by God to Moses. The nation of Israel's protection, guidance and blessings were contingent upon their obedience to the laws. Deuteronomy 28:1-68 outline many of the blessings. |
The Bible is to have reverence by everyone who has lived and will live because it God's Word. That does not mean the physical book has reverence, but the content. A document that has scriptural references or scriptural verses, is not the same as the Bible itself. This website is not to be revered just because it contains scriptural passages.
Therefore, we should not have reverence for the documental aspect of the 613 Laws, as they are a collection with interpretations of scriptural passages. The 613 Laws list is not the Bible, but a collections of scriptural verses, which does have good relevant information for our time. The difference is Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Law which makes portions of the Old Law no longer relevant.
At the time when Jesus Christ walked in Israel, there were members of the Pharisees who quoted some aspects of the Law to try to discredit Jesus Christ. The scriptures never record a person from the Pharisees, stating "It is written in Law #34 that ...", where this author is not trying to be humorous but it is funny. As an example, in Mark 12:19, the Pharisees state "Moses wrote for us".
The Pharisees were described in the scriptures as experts in the law. They could be equated to a modern-day attorney who specializes in a specific area. The Pharisees would not have referred to the laws of God by a number reference.
Mark 12:19 | Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. |
There are faithful Jewish people, since the writing down of the collection of 613 Laws, who will reference the 613 Law List. Some Christians, because of the perceived reverence by faithful Jewish people along with respect for Jewish people, will think there is something special about the 613 Laws list. The 613 Laws list is nothing more than a list.
Towards the end of the 1st Century CE, the Council of Jamnia was held to formalize the Old Testament Cannon. There was many problems for the Jewish people at that time in history:
An interesting article from Jeremy Norman's website gives more information about the period of time around the Council of Jamnia. If the link is missing, click here.
There was most likely a list of laws being summarized from the Torah for possible use at the Council of Jamnia and afterwards to look for options other than animal sacrifices. It may be possible that Simalai, in the 3rd Century CE, used existing writings from the 1st Century CE, and afterwards, to simply rewrite or create the proposed 613 Laws based on the Torah scriptural verses containing laws.
When searching and reading the 613 Laws List, there are different versions with notes and groupings. When there is a list with an explanation, the interpretation is sometimes weak or incorrect with comments that make the context to deal only with people of Jewish faith.
A list of some problems:
There is value in reading the 613 Laws list for the Christian as everything in the scriptures is important for guidance, encouragement and hope which all point to our need for a Savior.
Hosea 4:6 | My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. |
Romans 15:4 | For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. |
The following parts of this topic are the 613 Laws in categories. The source is from several published lists, such as the one found on http://www.hisglory.us. In case the link is removed, see 613 laws of the Old Testament document link. Another link has a slightly different numbering of the list, where there tends not to consistency in the numbering with the first list. In case the link is removed, here is the laws portion in PDF.
Some notes on reading the list:
#64. That a eunuch shall not marry a daughter of Israel (Deut. 23:2) when Deut 23:2 reads: "No one of illegitimate birth may enter the assembly of the LORD, nor may any of his descendants, even to the tenth generation." |
This author has corrected the problem entries in Simalai 613 Laws list. The original list has two links above, and it is important not to continue to publish problem entries that refer to scriptural reference that do not match what God intended. There are additional notes given by this author in the right most column, and where necessary the the law definition given by Simalai might be shorten to fit in the table listing.
All ten laws in this category are relevant for the Christian.
The Law | Scriptural References | Additional Notes by author | |
1 | To know that God exists | Ex. 20:2; Deut. 5:6 | Israel brought out of Egypt |
2 | Do not have any have any other gods before me | Ex.20:3 | 2nd Commandment |
3 | Not to blaspheme God or the Ruler of your people | Ex. 22:27-28 and Lev 24:16 | Blasphemer of God put to death |
4 | To hold God's name in highest regard. | Lev. 22:32 | related to the 3rd Commandment |
5 | Not to profane Gods Holy Name | Lev. 22:32 | related to the 3rd Commandment |
6 | To know that God is One, a complete Unity | Deut. 6:4 | God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit |
7 | To love God | Deut. 6:5 | Matthew 22:37 |
8 | To fear Him reverently | Deut. 6:13; 10:20 | |
9 | Not to put the word of God to the test | Deut. 6:16 | |
10 | To imitate His good and upright ways | Deut. 28:9 | related to the 3rd Commandment |
The Laws 11 through 15 are still relevant for the Christian.
The Law | Scriptural References | Additional Notes by author | |
11 | To honor the old and the wise | Lev. 19:32 | |
12 | To learn Torah and to teach it | Deut. 6:7 | Teaching your children how to live |
13 | Fear, serve, hold fast, take oaths in the Lord | Deut. 10:20 | |
14 | Not to add to the commandments of the Torah | Deut.13:1 | Revelation 22:18-19 & Proverbs 30:6 |
15 | Not to take away from the commandments of the Torah | Deut.13:1 - doesn't match the law | Revelation 22:18-19 & Proverbs 30:6 |
16 | That every person shall write a scroll of the Torah for himself | Deut.31:19 | Meditate on God's Word. Psalm 49:3 |
Proverbs 30:6 | Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. |
Revelation 22:18-19 | 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. |
None of these laws in this category are required for the Christian.
Sign and Symbols | Scriptural References | Additional Notes by author | |
17 | To circumcise the male offspring | Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3 | Done on the 8th day |
18 | To put fringes on the corners of clothing | Num. 15:38 - doesn't match | Specifics about clothing that is worn |
19 | To bind God's Word on the head | Deut. 6:8 | |
20 | To bind God's Word on the arm | Deut. 6:8 | |
21 | Affix mezuzah to the door posts/gates of your house | Deut. 6:9 |
The only relevant law is #25 which is not to create images for worship, which is related to the 2nd Commandment in the 10 Commandments. Many Christians mistakenly violate the 2nd Commandment when making objects and paintings of Jesus Christ that are be revered as Holy. See the topic Pictures of Jesus for more information.
Prayer and Blessing | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
22 | To serve the Lord your God with prayer | Ex. 23:25; Deut. 6:13 | |
23 | To read the Shema [lit:The Hearing] in the morning & at night | Deut. 6:7 | Really Deuteronomy 6:4 |
24 | To recite grace after meals | Deut. 8:10 | |
25 | Not to lay down a stone for worship | Lev. 26:1 | related to 2nd Commandment |
This section has many misinterpretations on the scriptural passage. As stated above, this author has corrected "the Law" because a casual reading of the explanation by a reader might lead to a wrong belief. The three laws 26, 33 and 34 are not relevant because they are too narrow in scope.
The Law | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
26 | To love all human beings who are of the covenant | Lev. 19:18 - too narrow | Christians have new law John 13:34 |
27 | Not to stand by idly when a human life is in danger | Lev. 19:16 | Really do not slander and protect life |
28 | Not to wrong any one in speech | Lev. 25:17 | No bad business deals |
29 | Not to carry tales | Lev. 19:16 | Splitting of #27 |
30 | Not to cherish hatred in one's heart | Lev. 19:17 | |
31 | Not to take revenge | Lev. 19:18 | |
32 | Not to bear a grudge | Lev. 19:18 | |
33 | Not to put any Jew to shame | Lev. 19:17 - doesn't match the law | Christian not to shame anyone |
34 | Not to curse any other Israelite | Lev. 19:14 - doesn't match the law | No Evil against physically handicapped |
35 | Aid the simple-minded so that they do not stumble or sin | Lev.19:14 | Aid the mentally handicapped |
36 | To rebuke the sinner | Lev. 19:17 | Positively help the sinner |
37 | Relieve a neighbor of burdens and help to unload his beast | Ex.23:5 | Help neighbor with their possessions |
38 | To assist in replacing the load upon a neighbor's beast | Deut.22:4 | Protect neighbor's property |
39 | Aid a beast that has fallen down underneath a burden | Deut. 22:4 | Protect neighbor's property |
John 13:34 | I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. |
Only 40, 51 & 52 are relevant for the Christian.
The Law | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
40 | Not to afflict an orphan or a widow | Ex. 22:21. Really Exodus 22:22 | |
41 | Not to reap the entire field | Lev. 19:9; Lev. 23:22 | |
42 | Leave the un-reaped corners of the field for the poor | Lev. 19:9 | |
43 | Not to gather gleanings the ears that are on ground | Lev. 19:9 | |
44 | To leave the gleanings for the poor | Lev. 19:9 | |
45 | Not to gather ol'loth, the imperfect clusters, of the vineyard | Lev. 19:10 | |
46 | To leave the imperfect clusters, of the vineyard for the poor | Lev. 19:10; Deut. 24:21 | |
47 | Not to gather the single grapes that have fallen to the ground | Lev. 19:10 | |
48 | To leave the single grapes of the vineyard for the poor | Lev. 19:10 | |
49 | Not to return to take a forgotten sheaf | Deut. 24:19-20 | |
50 | To leave the forgotten sheaves for the poor | Deut. 24:19-20 | |
51 | Not to refrain from helping a poor man | Deut. 15:7 | |
52 | To give charity according to one's means | Deut. 15:11 |
Laws 56 and 57 are not relevant for the Christian.
Treatment of the Gentiles | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
53 | To love the stranger | Deut. 10:19 | |
54 | Not to wrong the stranger in speech | Ex. 22:20 | |
55 | Not to wrong the stranger in buying or selling | Ex. 22:20. | |
56 | Not to intermarry with gentiles | Deut. 7:3 | |
57 | To exact the debt of an alien | Deut. 15:3 | Deals with forgiveness after 7 years |
58 | To lend to an alien at interest | Deut. 23:21. Really Deut 23:20 | Deals with Israel and Others |
Only laws 59, 62 and 63 are relevant. Laws 69 and 73 are not relevant but marked in red because the scriptural verse interpretation is incorrect.
Marriage, Divorce and Family | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
59 | To honor father and mother | Exodus 20:12 | 5th Commandment |
60 | Not to smite a father or a mother or you surely put to death. | Exodus 21:15 | |
61 | Not to curse a father or mother or you surely put to death. | Exodus 21:17 | |
62 | To respect your father, mother and Sabbaths | Leviticus 19:3 | |
63 | To be fruitful and multiply | Gen. 1:28 | |
64 | A bastard prohibited unto 10th generation to enter assembly | Deut. 23:2 | |
65 | That a bastard shall not marry the daughter of a Jew | Deut.23:3 | |
66 | Ammonite or Moabite shall never marry the daughter of an Israelite | Deut. 23:4 | |
67 | Not to exclude a descendant of Esau up until 3rd generation. | Deut. 23:8-9 | |
68 | Not to exclude an Egyptian up until 3rd generation. | Deut. 23:8-9 | |
69 | No harlot, no intercourse unless there deed of marriage | Deut 23:18 - Doesn't match | Pertains to managing prostitution |
70 | To take a wife by the sacrament of marriage | Deut.24:1 | |
71 | Newly married husband free for one year to rejoice wife | Deut. 24:5 | No military service during 1st year |
72 | Bridegroom exempt for year from all military service | Deut. 24:5 | No military service during 1st year |
73 | Not to withhold food, clothing or conjugal rights from a wife | Ex. 21:10 | Not in context of Ex 21:7-10 |
74 | Woman suspected of adultery dealt as prescribed in the Torah | Num. 5:30 | |
75 | Man who defames his wife's honor, live with her all his lifetime | Deut. 22:19 | See Deut 22:13-19 |
76 | Man cannot divorce his wife concerning false virginity report | Deut. 22:19 | See Deut 22:13-19 |
77 | To divorce by a formal written document | Deut. 24:1 | See Deut 24:1-4 |
78 | That one who divorced his wife shall not remarry her | Deut. 24:4 | |
79 | Widow be married deceased husband's brother | Deut. 25:5 | |
80 | To marry the widow of a brother who has died childless | Deut.25:5 | |
81 | Widow released by brother-in-law, if he refuses to marry her | Deut. 25:7-9 | See Book of Ruth for beautiful story |
Laws 87, 100, 101 and 106 are not relevant for the Christian when a man's wife has died and the man is remarrying. Law 106 is marked in red because Leviticus 22:24 is not about the law stated. There is more information following the list of 82 through 106, concerning people in the Old Testament who violated some of these laws before they were written down by Moses in the Torah.
Forbidden Sexual Relations | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
82 | Not to indulge in any form of sexuality with relatives | Lev.18:6 | |
83 | Not to commit incest with one's mother | Lev. 18:7 | |
84 | Not to commit sodomy with one's father | Lev. 18:7 | |
85 | Not to commit incest with one's father's wife | Lev. 18:8 | |
86 | Not to commit incest with one's sister | Lev. 18:9 | |
87 | Not to commit incest with one's father's wife's daughter | Lev.18:9 | Abram married Father's daughter |
88 | Not to commit incest with one's son's daughter | Lev. 18:10 | |
89 | Not to commit incest with one's daughter's daughter | Lev.18:10 | |
90 | Not to commit incest with one's daughter | Inferred by all areas of Torah | |
91 | Not to commit incest with one's father's sister | Lev. 18:12 | |
92 | Not to commit incest with one's mother's sister | Lev. 18:13 | |
93 | Not to commit incest with one's father's / brother's wife | Lev.18:14 | |
94 | Not to commit sodomy with one's father's brother | Lev. 18:14 | |
95 | Not to commit incest with one's son's wife | Lev. 18:15 | |
96 | Not to commit incest with one's brother's wife | Lev. 18:16 | |
97 | Not to commit incest with one's wife's daughter | Lev. 18:17 | |
98 | Not to commit incest with the daughter of one's wife's son | Lev.18:17 | |
99 | Not to commit incest with the daughter of one's wife's daughter | Lev. 18:17 | |
100 | Not to commit incest with one's wife's sister | Lev. 18:18 | Jacob married sisters Leah and Rachel |
101 | Not to have intercourse with a woman, in her menstrual period | Lev. 18:19 | |
102 | Not to have intercourse with another man's wife | Lev. 18:20 | |
103 | Not to commit sodomy with a male | Lev. 18:22 | |
104 | Not to have intercourse with a beast | Lev. 18:23 | |
105 | That a woman shall not have intercourse with a beast | Lev.18:23 | |
106 | Not to castrate man, nor a domestic or wild beast | Lev. 22:24 | Not what the scripture states. |
Moses wrote the Torah and there were laws written that were not fully known by the people living before the lifetime of Moses. The two marked problem entries in the 163 Laws in the section of "Forbidden Sexual Relations" are not problems when they occurred before the writing of the Torah by Moses.
According to some Biblical Scholars, such as Chuck Missler, the title of Sister could be given to a wife as position of greater honor. In the times of the Old Testament, it was possible for some cultures to have a man killed so that another man could obtain the killed man's wife. When the man identifies a woman as his sister, when she was a wife, then this would have the potential of stopping the murder of the man as the murder would not defame the woman's emotions of killing her brother.
It was common in many cultures in the times before Moses, for cultures to have a man be married to several wives, which may include wives that are sisters or wives that are relatives to one another. The importance of having
was vitally important for survival. Having multiple children was also seen as a form of providing for caring of parents in the fragile final years of life. Some historians state that a woman without a husband in life would eventually be subjected to slavery or prostitution to take care of herself, which is why there was laws in the Torah for the protection of widows, the poor and anyone without means to provide for themselves.
In most of the modern-world of today, there is no need for having multiple wives, polygamy, where by the time Moses wrote the Torah, the nation of Israel was large enough to provide brides and care for women. The New Testament also does not condone polygamy as evidenced in many scriptures such as 1 Timothy 3:12 and Ephesians 5:33.
Genesis 20:11-12 | 11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife. 12 But indeed she is truly my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. |
Genesis 17:5 | No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. |
Genesis 17:15 | Then God said to Abraham, As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. |
Jacob's wives: Genesis 29:25 Genesis 29:28 |
25 So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me? ... 28 Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also. |
1 Timothy 3:12 | Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. |
Ephesians 5:33 | Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. |
None of the laws in this category are relevant for the Christian.
Times and Seasons | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
107 | New month as holy, months/years calc. by Supreme Court | Ex. 12:2 | Not what verse is about. |
108 | Not to travel on Sabbath outside the limits of one's residence | Ex. 16:29 | |
109 | To sanctify the Sabbath | Ex. 20:8 | |
110 | Not to do work on Sabbath | Ex. 20:10 | |
111 | To rest on Sabbath | Ex. 23:12; 34:21 | |
112 | To celebrate the festivals | Ex.23:14 | |
113 | To rejoice on the festivals | Deut. 16:14 | |
114 | To appear in the Sanctuary on the festivals | Deut. 16:16 | |
115 | To remove leaven on the Eve of Passover | Ex. 12:15 | |
116 | To rest on the first day of Passover | Ex. 12:16; Lev. 23:7 | |
117 | Not to do work on the first day of Passover | Ex. 12:16; Lev.23:6-7 | |
118 | To rest on the seventh day of Passover | Ex. 12:16; Lev. 23:8 | |
119 | Not to do work on the seventh day of Passover | Ex. 12:16;Lev. 23:8 | |
120 | To eat unleavened bread on the first night of Passover | Ex. 12:18 | |
121 | That no leaven be in the Israelite's possession during Passover | Ex. 12:19 | |
122 | Not to eat any food containing leaven on Passover | Ex.12:20 | |
123 | Not to eat leaven on Passover | Ex. 13:3 | |
124 | That leaven shall not be seen in home during Passover | Ex. 13:7 | |
125 | Discuss the departure from Egypt on the first night of Passover | Ex. 13:8 | |
126 | Not to eat leaven after mid-day on the fourteenth of Nissan | Deut.16:3 | Not what verse is about. |
127 | Count forty-nine days from the time of the cutting of the Omer | Lev. 23:15 | |
128 | To rest on Pentecost | Lev. 23:21 | |
129 | Not to do work on the feast of Pentecost | Lev. 23:21 | |
130 | To rest on Rosh Hashanah [i.e the feast of Trumpets] | Lev. 23:24 | |
131 | Not to do work on Rosh Hashanah | Lev. 23:25 | |
132 | To hear the sound of the Trumpet | Num.29:1 | |
133 | To fast on Yom Kippur i.e the day of Atonement | Lev. 23:27 | |
134 | Not to eat or drink on Yom Kippur | Lev. 23:29 | Not what verse is about. |
135 | Not to do work on Yom Kippur | Lev. 23:31 | |
136 | To rest on the Yom Kippur | Lev. 23:32 | |
137 | Rest on the first day of the feast of Tabernacles or Booths | Lev. 23:35 | |
138 | Not to do work on the first day of the feast of Tabernacles. | Lev.23:35 | |
139 | To rest on the eighth day of the feast of Tabernacles | Lev.23:36 | |
140 | Not to do work on the eighth day of the feast of Tabernacles | Lev. 23:36 | |
141 | Take during Sukkot a palm branch and the other three plants | Lev. 23:40 | Not what verse is about. |
142 | To dwell in booths seven days during Sukkot | Lev. 23:42 |
The verses of Exodus 12:1-2 are about the celebration of exodus from Egypt's slavery, which is also the gift God gives us through Jesus Christ
Exodus 12:1-2 | 1 Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year for you. |
The mandatory requirements in the "Times and Seasons" were to handle:
The "Times and Seasons" requirements do not pertain to the Christian as:
See the topic on "Are we under the Mosaic Laws? No" for more information. Colossians 2:14-16 confirms the requirements for the Christian to maintain Mosaic Holidays, Sabbaths and other Feast days were no longer required.
Colossians 2:14-16 | 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. |
None of these laws in this category are required for the Christian, but it is been suggested in some medical research not to consume blood unless it is cooked.
Dietary Laws | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
143 | Examine marks in cattle, to distinguish the clean from unclean. | Lev. 11:2 | Not what verse is about. |
144 | Not to eat the flesh of unclean beasts | Lev. 11:4 | |
145 | Examine marks in fishes, to distinguish clean from unclean | Lev. 11:9 | |
146 | Not to eat unclean fish | Lev. 11:11 | |
147 | Examine marks in fowl, distinguish clean from unclean | Deut. 14:11 | |
148 | Not to eat unclean fowl | Lev. 11:13 | |
149 | Examine marks in locusts, distinguish clean from unclean | Lev. 11:21 | Not what verse states explicitly |
150 | Not to eat a worm found in fruit | Lev. 11:41 | |
151 | Not to eat of things that creep upon the earth | Lev. 11:41-42 | |
152 | Not to eat any vermin of the earth | Lev. 11:44 | |
153 | Not to eat things that swarm in the water | Lev. 11:43 and 46 | |
154 | Not to eat of winged insects | Deut. 14:19 | |
155 | Not to eat the flesh of a beast that is torn | Ex.22:30 - not what verse states | Verse is about animal mothers |
156 | Not to eat the flesh of a beast that died of itself | Deut. 14:21 | |
157 | Slay cattle, deer & fowl according to law if flesh to be eaten | Deut. 12:21 | |
158 | Not to eat a limb removed from a living beast | Deut. 12:23 | |
159 | Not to slaughter an animal and its young on the same day | Lev.22:28 | |
160 | Not to take the mother-bird with the young | Deut. 22:6 | |
161 | To set the mother-bird free when taking the nest | Deut.22:6-7 | |
162 | Not to eat the flesh of ox that was condemned to be stoned | Ex. 21:28 - not what verse states | Owner not condemned for ox actions |
163 | Not to boil meat with milk | Ex. 23:19 | |
164 | Not to eat flesh with milk | Ex. 34:26 | |
165 | Not to eat the of the thigh-vein which shrank | Gen. 32:33 | Really Gen 32:32 |
166 | Not to eat the fat of the offering | Lev. 7:23 | |
167 | Not to eat blood | Lev. 7:26 | Optional for Christian |
168 | To cover the blood of undomesticated animals, deer / etc., and of fowl that have been killed | Lev. 17:13 | |
169 | Not eat/drink like glutton/drunkard, not rebel against parents | Lev. 19:26; Deut. 21:20 | not what verses states |
Most of these laws are still valid. Law 171 is the only one not valid, but #180 should be understood not to take the "security deposit" in a modern-day context from a window who cannot pay back something that is owed. The overall context of the others laws in this group along with #18 is laws in many countries give the option for a borrower to declare bankruptcy or court protection to reorganize debt. God in the times of the Old Testament was taking care of both the borrower and lender in terms of doing righteously to have God's blessings.
Business Practices | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
170 | Not to do wrong in buying or selling | Lev. 25:14 | |
171 | Not to make a loan to an Israelite on interest | Lev. 25:37 | |
172 | Not to borrow on interestas would cause lender to sin | Deut. 23:20 - not what verse states | |
173 | Not to take part in usurious (Author abbreviated) | Ex. 22:24 - not what verse states | Really about not oppressing |
174 | To lend to a poor person | Ex. 22:24 - See Ex. 22:21-24 | Really about not oppressing |
175 | Not to demand when the creditor knows cannot pay | Ex.22:24 | Bankruptcy laws, Reorganize debt |
176 | Not to take in pledge utensils used in preparing food | Deut.24:6 - not what verse states | |
177 | Not to exact a pledge from a debtor by force (D | Deut. 24:10 | Christian to use legal means |
178 | Not to keep the pledge from owner at time he needs it | Deut. 24:12 | Dealing with cloaks |
179 | To return a pledge to its owner | Deut. 24:13 | Dealing with cloaks |
180 | Not to take a pledge from a widow | Deut. 24:17 | (see Author's explanation above.) |
181 | Not to commit fraud in measuring | Lev. 19:35 | No Corrupt business dealings |
182 | To ensure that scales and weights are correct | Lev. 19:36 | No Corrupt business dealings |
183 | Not to possess inaccurate measures and weights | Deut.25:13-14 | No Corrupt business dealings |
In the scriptural context, because it was dealing with the nation of Israel, the process of being a slave is not necessarily in the same horrible conditions that existed in other places in the world, such as Rome. Many people used the process of being an indentured as a viable and acceptable means of paying off debt, knowing they would be treated fairly and with humility because of God's laws on doing correctly.
When doing more reading on the scriptural passages listed in this category, the reader becomes aware that God set laws that would:
Employees, Servants and Slaves | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
184 | Not to delay payment of a hired man's wages | Lev. 19:13) | Pay on date when agreed upon. |
185 | Hired laborer shall be permitted to eat produce he is reaping | Deut. 23:25-26) | Not applicable to modern-day |
186 | That the hired laborer shall not take more than he can eat | Deut. 23:25) | |
187 | Hired laborer shall not eat produce that is not being harvested | Deut. 23:26) | |
188 | To pay wages to the hired man at the due time | Deut. 24:15) | |
189 | Deal judicially with Hebrew slave in accordance to laws | Ex. 21:2-6) | Slaves are no longer allowed |
190 | Not to compel the Hebrew servant to do the work of slave | Lev.25:39) | Slaves are no longer allowed |
191 | Not to sell a Hebrew servant as a slave | Lev. 25:42) | Slaves are no longer allowed |
192 | Not to treat a Hebrew servant rigorously | Lev. 25:43 | Slaves are no longer allowed |
193 | Not to permit a gentile to treat harshly a Hebrew bondman | Lev. 25:53) | Slaves are no longer allowed |
194 | Not to send away a Hebrew bondman servant empty handed | Deut. 15:13) | Slaves are no longer allowed |
195 | Bestow liberal gifts upon the Hebrew bondsman, at the end | Deut. 15:14 - Really 15:12-14 | Slaves are no longer allowed |
196 | To redeem a Hebrew maid-servant | Ex. 21:8) | Slaves are no longer allowed |
197 | Not to sell a Hebrew maid-servant to another person | Ex. 21:8) | Slaves are no longer allowed |
198 | To espouse a Hebrew maid-servant | Ex. 21:8-9) | Slaves are no longer allowed |
199 | To keep the Canaanite slave forever | Lev. 25:46) | Slaves are no longer allowed |
200 | Not to surrender a slave, who has fled to the land of Israel | Deut. 23:16) | Slaves are no longer allowed |
201 | Not to wrong such a slave | Deut. 23:17) | Slaves are no longer allowed |
202 | Not to muzzle working beast in produce so it can eat & enjoy | Deut. 25:4) |
Excerpt from Historic
Racism topic: Africa Now Has the Highest Modern-Day Enslavement The appalling disgusting truth is the world does not know that Slavery has not ended. Africa has the highest number of modern-day slaveries. According to publications as of 2018, there are an estimated 9 Million Africans in slavery. More detailed information can be read and downloaded at the Global Slavery Index website. |
All of the laws in this category are still valid.
Vows, Oaths and Swearing | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
203 | That a man should fulfill whatever he has uttered | Deut. 23:24 - not what text states | Really Deut 23:23 |
204 | Not to swear needlessly | Ex. 20:7) | |
205 | Not to violate an oath or swear falsely | Lev. 19:12) | |
206 | Decide cases of annulment of vows, by the Torah | Num. 30:2-17) | |
207 | Not to break a vow | Num. 30:3 - why verse 3 only | Should be Numbers 30:2-3 |
208 | To swear by His name truly | Deut. 10:20) | |
209 | Not delay fulfilling vows or vowed free-will offerings | Deut. 23:22) | Writer added on free-will |
None of the laws in this category are relevant for the Christian.
The Sabbatical and Jubilee Years | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
210 | To let the land lie fallow in the Sabbatical year | Ex. 23:11; Lev.25:2 | Really Ex. 23:10-11;Lev 25:2-13 |
211 | To cease from tilling the land in the Sabbatical year | Ex. 23:11; Lev.25:2 | Really Ex. 23:10-11;Lev 25:2-13 |
212 | Not to till the ground in the Sabbatical year | Lev. 25:4 | |
213 | Not to do any work on the trees in the Sabbatical year | Lev.25:4 | |
214 | Not to reap the aftermath that grows in the Sabbatical year | Lev. 25:5 | |
215 | Not to gather the fruit of the tree in the Sabbatical year | Lev. 25:5 | |
216 | To sound the Ram's horn in the Sabbatical year | Lev. 25:9 | |
217 | To release debts in the seventh year | Deut. 15:2 | Really Deut 15:1-2 |
218 | Not demand return a loan after Sabbatical year has passed | Deut. 15:2 | Really Deut 15:1-2 |
219 | Not refrain from making loan to a poor man, because release loans in the Sabbatical year | Deut. 15:9 | |
220 | To assemble the people to hear the Torah at the close of the seventh year | Deut. 31:12 | |
221 | To count the years of the Jubilee by years and by cycles of seven years | Lev. 25:8 | |
222 | To keep the Jubilee year holy by resting and letting the land lie fallow | Lev. 25:10 | Really Lev. 25:10-12 |
223 | Not to cultivate the soil nor do any work on the trees, in the Jubilee Year | Lev. 25:11 | Really Lev. 25:10-12 |
224 | Not to reap the aftermath of the field that grew of itself in the Jubilee Year, in the same way as in other years (L | Lev. 25:11 | Really Lev. 25:10-12 |
225 | Not to gather the fruit of the tree in the Jubilee Year, in the same way as in other years (L | Lev. 25:11 | Really Lev. 25:10-12 |
226 | To grant redemption to the land in the Jubilee year (L | Lev. 25:24 |
Many of the areas in this category apply when dealing with fairness and righteous actions in court and judicial procedures. There are several of the laws that the writer of the 613 Laws has created some law:
The Court and Judicial Procedure | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
227 | To appoint judges and officers in every community | Deut.16:18 | All places need judges and officers |
228 | Not to appoint as a judge, a person who is not well versed in the laws of the Torah, even if he is expert in other branches of knowledge | Deut.1:17 | Not what the verse is stating, but the implication is valid for the Christian. |
229 | To adjudicate cases of purchase and sale | Lev. 25:14 | Not what the verse is stating. |
230 | To judge cases of liability of a paid depositary | Ex. 22:9 | Pay back double for those guilty |
231 | To adjudicate cases of loss for which a gratuitous borrower is liable | Ex. 22:13-14 | Deals with restitution that our current legal system does not always address |
232 | To adjudicate cases of inheritances | Num. 27:8-11 | |
233 | To judge cases of damage caused by an uncovered pit | Ex.21:33-34 | Responsibility of careless actions |
234 | To judge cases of injuries caused by beasts | Ex. 21:35-36 | Responsibility of careless actions |
235 | To adjudicate cases of damage caused by trespass of cattle | Ex.22:4 | Pay back double for those guilty |
236 | To adjudicate cases of damage caused by fire | Ex. 22:5 | Not what the verse is stating. |
237 | To adjudicate cases of damage caused by a gratuitous depositary | Ex. 22:6-7 | |
238 | To adjudicate other cases between a plaintiff and a defendant | Ex.22:8 | Determine if there is foul play |
239 | Not to curse a judge | Ex. 22:27 | Not what the verse is stating. |
240 | That one who possesses evidence shall testify in Court | Lev.5:1 | Penalty for not testifying |
241 | Not to testify falsely | Ex. 20:13 | Not what the verse is stating. It is really Exodus 20:16 the 9th Commandment |
242 | That a witness, who has testified in a capital case, shall not lay down the law in that particular case | Num. 35:30 | Not what the verse states. Death to a murder based on two witnesses. |
243 | That a transgressor shall not testify | Ex. 23:1 | Not what the verse states. Not to spread false information. |
244 | That the court shall not accept the testimony of a close relative of the defendant in matters of capital punishment | Deut. 24:16 | Not what the verse states. Do not execute dad for children and visa-versa. |
245 | Not to hear one of the parties to a suit in the absence of the other party | Ex. 23:1 | |
246 | To examine witnesses thoroughly | Deut. 13:15 | Not what the verse is about |
247 | Not to decide a case on the evidence of a single witness | Deut.19:15 | |
248 | To give the decision according to the majority, when there is a difference of opinion among the members of the Sanhedrin as to matters of law | Ex. 23:2 | Not what the verse is about |
249 | Not to decide, in capital cases, according to the view of the majority, when those who are for condemnation exceed by one only, those who are for acquittal | Ex. 23:2 | |
250 | That, in capital cases, one who had argued for acquittal, shall not later on argue for condemnation | Ex. 23:2 | |
251 | To treat parties in a litigation with equal impartiality | Lev. 19:15 | |
252 | Not to render iniquitous decisions | Lev. 19:15 | |
253 | Not to favor a great man when trying a case | Lev. 19:15 | |
254 | Not to take a bribe | Ex. 23:8 | A real problem in today's world. |
255 | Not to be afraid of a bad man, when trying a case | Deut. 1:17 | Not what the verse is about. It is about judging impartially. |
256 | Not to be moved in trying a case, by the poverty of one of the parties | Ex. 23:3; Lev. 19:15 | |
257 | Not to pervert the judgment of strangers or orphans | Deut.24:17 | Not exactly what verse is stating but close. |
258 | Not to pervert the judgment of a sinner, a person poor in fulfillment of commandments | Ex. 23:6 | |
259 | Not to render a decision on one's personal opinion, but only on the evidence of two witnesses, who saw what actually occurred | Ex. 23:7 | |
260 | Not to execute one guilty of a capital offense, before he has stood his trial | Num. 35:12 | A law against lynching |
261 | To accept the rulings of every Supreme Court in Israel | Deut.17:11 | |
262 | Not to rebel against the orders of the Court | Deut.17:11 |
There is really only Law 264 that applies to the Christian. Deuteronomy 22:8 is about a roof of a house having a rail to stop someone from falling off. The writer of the 613 laws extended the meaning in Law 264 to apply liability to not creating something that can cause hurt.
The laws 265 and 266 have the reference of Deuteronomy 25:12, which does not match the scripture context. In fact the context is very different that requires listing for the reader.
Deuteronomy 25:11-12 | 11 If two men are fighting, and the wife of one steps in to rescue her husband from the one striking him, and she reaches out her hand and grabs his genitals, 12 you are to cut off her hand. You must show her no pity. |
Injuries and Damages | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
263 | To make a parapet for your roof | Deut. 22:8 | |
264 | Not to leave something that might cause hurt | Deut. 22:8 | |
265 | To save the pursued even at the cost of the life of the pursuer | Deut. 25:12 | Not what the verse is stating |
266 | Not to spare a pursuer, but he is to be slain before he reaches the pursued and slays the latter, or uncovers his nakedness | Deut. 25:12 | Not what the verse is stating |
There are a few laws that are actually out of context of the scriptural passage but apply to the Christian.
Property and Property Rights | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
267 | Not to sell a field in the land of Israel in perpetuity | Lev. 25:23 | |
268 | Not to change the character of the open land, about the cities of the Levites or of their fields; not to sell it in perpetuity, but it may be redeemed at any time | Lev. 25:34 | |
269 | That houses sold within a walled city may be redeemed within a year | Lev. 25:29 | |
270 | Not to remove landmarks, property boundaries. | Deut. 19:14 | |
271 | Not to swear falsely in denial of another's property rights | Lev.19:11 | Not really the context |
272 | Not to deny falsely another's property rights | Lev. 19:11 | Not really the context |
273 | Never to settle in the land of Egypt | Deut. 17:16 | |
274 | Not to steal personal property | Lev. 19:11 | Not really the context |
275 | To restore that which one took by robbery | Lev. 5:23 | There is not a Lev 5:23 |
276 | To return lost property | Deut. 22:1 | |
277 | Not to pretend not to have seen lost property, to avoid the obligation to return it | Deut. 22:3 |
There are only three Laws that can apply to the Christian in this group. Note that Laws 282 and 283, as written by the writer of the 613 laws, is not correct. The two scriptural references of the Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18 are about not committing adultery, which no one and especially a Christian is to do.
Criminal Laws | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
278 | Not to slay an innocent person | Ex. 20:13 | The Sixth Commandment |
279 | Not to kidnap any person of Israel | Ex. 20:13 | Not what the verse states |
280 | Not to rob by violence | Lev. 19:13 | |
281 | Not to defraud | Lev. 19:13 | |
282 | Not to covet what belongs to another | Ex. 20:14 |
Not what the verse states The Seventh Commandment |
283 | Not to crave something that belongs to another | Deut. 5:18 |
Not what the verse states The Seventh Commandment |
284 | Not to indulge in evil thoughts and sights | Num. 15:39 | Not what the verse is stating |
Most of these Laws in this category are not required of the Christian, albeit some that are not required would be good if they could be used today such as requiring the punishment always to be equal to the crime with financial restitution when possible. It is unexplainable for someone who commits murder to not forfeit their life since they took the life of another, where in many cases after as little as a few years be released from prison.
Punishment and Restitution | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
285 | That the Court shall pass sentence of death by decapitation with the sword | Ex. 21:20; Lev. 26:25 | Not what the verses are stating |
286 | That the Court shall pass sentence of death by strangulation | Lev.20:10 | Not what the verse is stating |
287 | Court shall pass sentence of death by burning with fire | Lev.20:14 | |
288 | That the Court shall pass sentence of death by stoning | Deut.22:24 | It is regarding Adultery |
289 | To hang the dead body of one who has incurred that penalty | Deut. 21:22 | |
290 | That the dead body of an executed criminal shall not remain hanging on the tree overnight | Deut. 21:23 | This is Messianic |
291 | To inter the executed on the day of execution | Deut. 21:23 | |
292 | Not to accept ransom from a murderer | Num. 35:31 | |
293 | To exile one who committed accidental homicide | Num. 35:25 | Do not shield a murderer from justice |
294 | To establish six cities of refuge for those who committed accidental homicide. | Deut. 19:3 | |
295 | Not to accept ransom from an accidental homicide, so as to relieve him from exile | Num. 35:32 | |
296 | To decapitate the heifer in the manner prescribed, in expiation of a murder on the road, the perpetrator of which remained undiscovered | Deut. 21:4 | Really Deut 21:1-9 |
297 | Not to plow nor sow the rough valley in which a heifer's neck was broken | Deut. 21:4 | This is going way past what the verse is prescribing |
298 | To adjudge a thief to pay compensation or, in certain cases, suffer death | Ex. 21:16; Ex. 21:37; Ex. 22:1 | No Exodus 21:37. |
299 | That he who inflicts a bodily injury shall pay monetary compensation | Ex. 21:18-19 | |
300 | To impose a penalty of fifty shekels upon the seducer of an unbetrothed virgin and enforce the other rules in connection with the case | Ex. 22:15-16 | Not what the verses are stating |
301 | That the violator (of an unbetrothed virgin) shall marry her | Deut.22:28-29 | |
302 | That one who has raped a damsel and has then in accordance with the law married her, may not divorce her | Deut. 22:29 | |
303 | Not to inflict punishment on the sabbath, because some punishments were inflicted by fire | Ex. 35:3 | Not what the verse is stating |
304 | To punish the wicked by the infliction of stripes | Deut. 25:2 | |
305 | Not to exceed the statutory number of stripes laid on one who has incurred that punishment, and by implication, not to strike anyone | Deut. 25:3 | |
306 | Not to spare the offender, in imposing the prescribed penalties on one who has caused damage | Deut. 19:13 | |
307 | To do unto false witnesses as they had purposed to do to the accused | Deut. 19:19 | It would be good if this were in use today as a great deterrent. |
308 | Not to punish anyone who has committed an offense under duress | Deut. 22:26 |
Prophecy | Scriptural References | Additional Notes | |
309 | To heed the call of every prophet in each generation, provided that he neither adds to, nor takes away from the Torah | Deut.18:15 | We do not have Prophets anymore |
310 | Not to prophesy falsely | Deut. 18:20 | |
311 | Not to refrain from putting a false prophet to death nor to be in fear of him | Deut. 18:22 |
What to read next?
Marriage and the needs of the man and woman. Going through a tough time in your relationship, read Divorce & Relational breakups.