People & groups
Scribe
Someone who writes documents or studies and teaches the law; the work varies with the context.
Also called · Teacher of the law · Expert in the law
What it means
Second Samuel 8 names Seraiah as scribe among David’s officials. In Jeremiah 36, Baruch writes the LORD’s words on a scroll as Jeremiah dictates them. These scenes show the work of recording words.
Ezra 7 describes Ezra as a skilled scribe in Moses’ law, committed to studying, practicing, and teaching it. In Nehemiah 8, Ezra reads the law and the Levites help the people understand what is read.
How it appears in the Bible
In Mark 12, a scribe asks about the greatest commandment. He agrees that loving God and one’s neighbor matters more than sacrifices; Jesus says he is not far from God’s Kingdom. In Matthew 23, Jesus tells people to observe the scribes’ and Pharisees’ teaching, while warning against their failure to practice what they say. The title alone does not show that every scribe acted alike.