The Scribes - Jewish Leaders in the New Testament

Early History

Early History of the Scribes

This is properly divided into five periods, indicated by the appellations given to the scribes in successive times:

The Sopherim, or "scribes," properly so called, lasting from the return from Babylon and ending with the death of Simon the Just, c. 458-300 B.C., about 160 years.

The Tanaim ( "repeaters," i.e., "teachers" of the law), in NT times, "teachers of the law" (Luke 5:17; Acts 5:34).

The Amoraim, or later doctors of the law (Heb., to "expound"), "wise men" and "doctors of the law," who alone constituted the authorized recorders and expositors of the Halachah (A.D. 220-completion of the Babylonian Talmud, about A.D. 500).

The Saboraim, or teachers of the law after the conclusion of the Talmud (Heb. to "think, discern"), who determined the law from a careful examination of all the pros and cons urged by the Amoraim in their controversies on divine, legal, and ritual questions contained in the Talmud, A.D. 500-657.

The Gaonim, the last doctors of the law in the rabbinic succession. The period of the Gaonim extends from A.D. 657 to 1034 in Sora, and to 1038 in Pumbaditha.

(See Schurer, History of the Jewish People; Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus; McClintock and Strong, Cyclopedia).