Answers about Law of Moses

Where in the Bible does it say that a father leaves things to his son, and if he does not have a son he leaves things to his brother?

The law of inheritance was part of the Law of Moses and is described in the following passage: And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter. And if he has no daughter, then you shall give [...]

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Did Jesus fulfil the whole Law, or just the Ten Commandments?

In Mat. 5:17, Jesus says: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. By ‘Law’, Jesus is referring to the whole of the Law of Moses, including the Ten Commandments. We know this is the case because Jesus [...]

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What was the purpose for circumcision?

Genesis 17 states that God required that Abraham and those of his house to be circumcised as a sign (NET “reminder”) of the covenant between God and Abraham and those who succeeded him. Why did God initiate this specific procedure? What was its meaning? The Bible does not give a reason why circumcision was chosen [...]

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What is the meaning of Peter’s vision in Acts 10:11-15? Is this to be used as a dietary law?

What is the meaning of Peter’s vision? Peter’s vision comes part way through Acts 10. In Acts 10:1-8, a man called Cornelius, a Roman — so somebody who was a gentile, not a Jew — was spoken to by an angel who told him to make contact with Peter. Peter was a Jew, and Jews [...]

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Does the Bible contain scientific information unknown at the time?

Some attempts to find scientific knowledge in the Bible are misplaced. For example, in Isaiah 40:22 the ‘circle of the earth’ does not describe the earth as a sphere; the Hebrew word for ‘circle’ is used, not the Hebrew for ‘sphere’ or ‘ball’. However, the Bible does contain information which has historically been of considerable [...]

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Did Jesus participate in sacrifices at the Temple?

When Jesus was a baby, sacrifices were offered as part of his consecration (see Luke 2:22-24). We also know that Jesus went to Jerusalem at Passover time (see How many times did Jesus attend the Passover celebration?). Part of the Passover festival involved sacrifice at the temple (Deuteronomy 16:5-7). Then he went to the Feast [...]

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Are Old Testament curses still in force?

There are a few curses under the Law of Moses. For example, Deuteronomy 27:15-22 15 “‘Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, [...]

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Why was polygamy tolerated in the OT when God’s original design was obviously monogamy?

Polygamy was obviously not part of God’s original design for marriage (Gen 2:24; also see 1 Tim 3:2, Tit 1:6), yet it does seem that polygamy was permitted under the Law of Moses and practiced by several famous OT character (e.g. Jacob, David, etc.). To help us understand why, it is useful to look at [...]

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Is the concept of a statute of limitations found in the Bible?

A “statute of limitations” gives a time limit after which someone cannot be sued or prosecuted for something they have done. This legal concept is contained in the Law of Moses in at least two places. At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. And this is the manner of the [...]

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Is it okay for Christians to eat pork and shellfish?

Yes, it’s okay, providing it isn’t done, as Paul says, when it will cause real offence, such as when inviting a Jewish guest. This is Mark’s comment that Jesus “declared all foods clean”: Mark 7:18 And [Jesus] said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person [...]

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