G3548

Unveiling the Word

Understanding the term νομοθεσία (nomothesia) is essential for both biblical studies and gaining insight into the cultural and legal systems of the ancient world. Found in Romans 9:4, nomothesia refers to the process or act of “legislation” or “giving of the law.” This term is of particular importance because it directly connects to how God gave the law to the Israelites, positioning it as central to their identity and religious practice. In the context of New Testament interpretation, the term sheds light on Paul’s reflections on the Jewish people’s covenant relationship with God and their privileged role in receiving His divine laws.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: νομοθεσία (nomothesia), pronounced no-mo-the-SI-a.

Etymology: The word nomothesia is derived from two Greek root words: νόμος (nomos), meaning “law,” and τίθημι (tithemi), meaning “to place” or “to establish.” Combined, the term nomothesia carries the meaning of “establishment of law” or “legislation.”

Part of Speech: Nomothesia is a feminine noun. It refers to the act of lawgiving, usually in the context of divine or authoritative legislation. It is used in both religious and legal contexts to refer to the giving or establishment of laws.

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Defining Meanings

1. The Giving of Law: The primary meaning of nomothesia in biblical contexts is the “giving of the law” or “legislation.” In Romans 9:4, Paul speaks of the Jewish people and the privileges they received, including the nomothesia, referring to the Mosaic Law given by God.

2. Legislation: Outside of a specifically religious context, nomothesia can refer to the act of legislation or lawmaking in any governing body or institution, emphasizing the process of establishing laws.

Exploring Similar Words

1. νόμος (nomos) [pronunciation: NO-mos]: Refers to the concept of “law” or “principle,” used broadly in both religious and secular contexts. Nomothesia focuses more on the act of giving or establishing these laws.

2. ἐντολή (entole) [pronunciation: en-to-LAY]: This term refers to a specific command or ordinance, often used in religious contexts to describe a commandment from God. While nomothesia refers to the broader act of giving the law, entole refers to individual directives within that law.

3. δικαίωμα (dikaioma) [pronunciation: dee-KAI-o-ma]: Refers to a “regulation” or “requirement,” especially in legal or religious contexts. It differs from nomothesia in that it refers to specific legal decrees rather than the act of lawgiving.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a feminine noun, nomothesia follows the pattern of first-declension Greek nouns:

• Singular Nominative: νομοθεσία

• Singular Genitive: νομοθεσίας

• Plural Nominative: νομοθεσίαι

• Plural Genitive: νομοθεσιῶν

This noun’s endings change depending on its role in a sentence, such as subject (nominative) or possession (genitive).

For more information on Greek grammar, click here for a beginner’s guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

In the New Testament, nomothesia is used to refer specifically to the giving of the law to the Israelites. It implies not just the reception of legal codes but the entire divine process by which God’s will was communicated through Moses to the people. In the context of Romans 9:4, Paul underscores the privilege of the Jewish people, who were given the law as part of their unique relationship with God. The term signifies the broader framework of divine instruction that shaped the identity, worship, and moral life of Israel.

In classical Greek contexts, nomothesia could refer to legislative acts in a political or civic arena. The term was used to describe how rulers or governing bodies established laws for their citizens.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Romans 9:4: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law [nomothesia], and the service of God, and the promises.”

2. Hebrews 7:11: “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law [nomothesia])…”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Plato Laws “The process of nomothesia ensures that citizens live in accordance with justice.”

Herodotus Histories “The nomothesia of the Persian rulers established the laws by which their empire functioned.”

Septuagint Exodus 19:6 “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the laws [nomothesia].”

Noteworthy Summary

Nomothesia is a critical term in understanding the legal and spiritual framework of the Jewish people in the New Testament. It emphasizes the unique role of the Israelites in receiving divine laws, shaping their covenant relationship with God. In both religious and secular Greek contexts, the term represents the process of lawgiving, whether from divine or civic authority.

Did You Know?

1. Nomothesia is only used once in the New Testament, in Romans 9:4.

2. The term has its roots in classical Greek politics, where it referred to legislative processes within a city-state.

3. The giving of the law (nomothesia) to Israel is central to Paul’s argument in Romans 9 about the unique privileges of the Jewish people.