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Bible Dictionaries
Lawgiver

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

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LAWGIVER. The word is found six times in the AV [Note: Authorized Version.] of the OT ( Genesis 49:10 , Numbers 21:18 , Deuteronomy 33:21 , Psalms 60:7; Psalms 108:8 , Isaiah 33:22 ). The Heb. mÄ•chôqçq , which it translates, is from a root meaning to ‘cut’ or ‘engrave,’ and hence to ‘enact’ a law, afterwards to be engraved on the public archives. The Heb. word appears to have two meanings: (1) ‘ruler’; so in Deuteronomy 33:21 , where RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] gives ‘ruler,’ and in Isaiah 33:22 , where the parallelism shows the meaning ‘Jehovah is our judge, Jehovah is our lawgiver.’ (2) ‘Ruler’s staff’; so in Genesis 49:10 , where the word is parallel to ‘sceptre,’ and in Psalms 60:7; Psalms 108:8 , where the RV [Note: Revised Version.] renders it ‘Judah is my sceptre.’

In the NT the word ‘lawgiver’ (Gr. nomothetçs ) is found once only ( James 4:12 ); there it is applied to God as ‘the lawgiver and judge,’ who is regarded as the Supreme Source of all law. Other passages ( Hebrews 7:11 , Romans 9:4 ) where kindred Gr. words are used, have a reference to the law of Moses, or, to be more exact, the law of Israel.

T. A. Moxon.

Bibliography Information
Hastings, James. Entry for 'Lawgiver'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hdb/​l/lawgiver.html. 1909.
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