G3549

Unveiling the Word

The Greek verb νομοθετέω (nomotheteo), meaning “to enact law” or “to legislate,” is central to understanding the concept of lawgiving in both secular and religious contexts. Found in Hebrews 7:11, it plays a significant role in New Testament interpretation, particularly regarding the establishment of the Old Covenant through the Levitical priesthood. Exploring nomotheteo opens the door to deeper comprehension of how the law functioned within ancient Jewish culture and how it was perceived in early Christianity, shedding light on key theological shifts from the Old Testament to the New.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: νομοθετέω (nomotheteo), pronounced no-mo-the-TAY-oh.

Etymology: The word nomotheteo is a compound of νόμος (nomos), meaning “law,” and τίθημι (tithemi), meaning “to set” or “to place.” Together, nomotheteo conveys the meaning of “to set a law” or “to establish law.” This verb directly ties the process of establishing and enforcing legal principles to a divine or authoritative source.

Part of Speech: Nomotheteo is a verb, functioning to describe the act of legislating or establishing laws. In biblical contexts, it often refers to God’s establishment of divine law through figures like Moses, or more generally to the process of giving or enforcing laws.

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Defining Meanings

1. To Enact Law: The primary meaning of nomotheteo is “to enact law” or “to establish a legal system.” This is its most common usage in both religious and secular contexts, especially when describing the work of lawgivers like Moses.

2. To Govern by Law: Beyond establishing laws, nomotheteo also implies the authority to govern by those laws. It points to the ongoing role of lawgivers in maintaining order within a society or religious community.

3. To Interpret Law: Occasionally, the term can extend to the interpretation or application of laws within an established legal framework, demonstrating how laws are adapted and enforced.

Exploring Similar Words

1. νομοθεσία (nomothesia) [pronunciation: no-mo-the-SI-a]: This noun refers to the act of lawgiving or the legislation itself. It’s closely related to nomotheteo but is used as the process rather than the act of legislating.

2. νόμος (nomos) [pronunciation: NO-mos]: Meaning “law” or “principle,” this is the foundational term from which nomotheteo derives. While nomos refers to the laws themselves, nomotheteo focuses on the act of enacting or establishing them.

3. δίκη (dike) [pronunciation: DEE-kay]: This term refers to justice or judgment, often associated with the broader enforcement of laws. Unlike nomotheteo, which focuses on the act of legislating, dike involves the outcome or application of those laws.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, nomotheteo follows the standard Greek verb conjugation patterns. Below is a breakdown of its primary grammatical features:

• Tense: Present, Aorist, and Perfect tenses are common. The verb can be used to describe both the current and completed action of enacting laws.

• Voice: Nomotheteo appears in both active and passive voices. In the active voice, it refers to a subject that enacts laws, while in the passive, it refers to laws being enacted upon a group or people.

• Mood: The verb is found in indicative mood (stating facts), but can also appear in imperative (commands) and subjunctive (possibilities or potential actions).

• Person and Number: As with most Greek verbs, nomotheteo is conjugated according to the person (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) and number (singular or plural) of the subject.

For a detailed explanation of Greek verb forms, click here for a beginner’s guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Nomotheteo is closely tied to the process of lawgiving in both classical and biblical Greek usage. In Hebrews 7:11, it refers to the Mosaic law enacted under the Levitical priesthood, highlighting the idea of divine legislation. This verb underscores the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where laws are not merely societal constructs but divinely instituted principles meant to govern religious life.

In broader Greek literature, nomotheteo was used to describe the legal processes of city-states and rulers. The term reflects the authority of those who create and establish laws, either in a civic or religious context.

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

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Hebrews 7:11: “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law [nomotheteo]), what further need was there that another priest should rise?”

2. Romans 9:4: Though nomotheteo does not appear, its related term nomothesia is used in reference to the giving of the law to the Israelites.

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Plato Laws “The ruler must nomotheteo laws for the betterment of society, ensuring justice prevails.”

Herodotus Histories “The Persian kings were known for their power to nomotheteo, establishing laws that governed vast empires.”

Septuagint Deuteronomy 4:14 “And the Lord commanded me at that time to nomotheteo the statutes and judgments for you to observe in the land.”

Noteworthy Summary

The verb nomotheteo holds significant importance in both biblical and classical contexts, denoting the authoritative act of establishing laws. In Hebrews 7:11, it refers to the giving of the Mosaic Law under the Levitical priesthood, a critical moment in Israel’s religious history. Understanding this term enriches comprehension of the covenant relationship between God and His people, as well as broader legal processes in ancient societies.

Did You Know?

1. Nomotheteo is used only twice in the New Testament, underscoring its specialized meaning in religious lawgiving.

2. The term also appears in classical Greek literature to describe the legislative processes of city-states.

3. In the Septuagint, nomotheteo frequently refers to the giving of divine commandments, further emphasizing its religious significance.