In trying to picture to ourselves New Testament scenes, the figure most prominent, next to those

, γραµµατευς, literatus). He seems ubiquitous;

of the chief actors, is that of the Scribe (

we meet him in Jerusalem, in Judæa, and even in Galilee.1 Indeed, he is indispensable, not only in

Babylon, which may have been the birthplace of his order, but among the `dispersion' also.2

Everywhere he appears as the mouthpiece and representative of the people; he pushes to the

front, the crowd respectfully giving way, and eagerly hanging on his utterances, as those of a

recognised authority. He has been solemnly ordained by the laying on of hands; and is the

Rabbi,3 `my great one,' Master, amplitudo. He puts questions; he urges objections; he expects

full explanations and respectful demeanour. Indeed, his hyper-ingenuity in questioning has

become a proverb. There is not measure of his dignity, nor yet limit to his importance. He is the

`lawyer,'4 the `well-plastered pit,'5 filled with the water of knowledge `out of which not a drop

can escape,'6 in opposition to the weeds of `untilled soil' (

) of ignorance.7 He is the

Divine aristocrat, among the vulgar herd of rude and profane `country-people,' who `know not

the Law' and are `cursed.' More than that, his order constitutes the ultimate authority on all

questions of faith and practice; he is `the Exegete of the Laws,'8 the `teacher of the Law,'9 and

along with `the chief priests' and `elders' a judge in the eccesiastical tribunals, whether of the

capital or in the provinces.10 Although generally appearing in company with `the Pharisees,' he is

not necessarily one of them - for they represent a religious party, while he has a status, and

holds an office.11 In short, he is the Talmid or learned student, the Chakham or sage, whose

honour is to be great in the future world. Each Scribe outweighed all the common people, who

must accordingly pay him every honour. Nay, they were honoured of God Himself, and their

praises proclaimed by the angels; and in heaven also, each of them would hold the same rank

and distinction as on earth.12 Such was to be the respect paid to their sayings, that they were to

be absolutely believed, even if they were to declare that to be at the right hand which was at the

left, or vice versâ.13