My position as a scribal commander has always been seated in “the chamber of the scribe” in the King’s court. That was in 2009, just before one of my scribal conferences… and is the reason why I tag my posts with #chamberofthescribe and #scribalcommander.
A new mantle fell upon me that year. It has been expanding since.
The “chamber of the scribe” in the Holy Bible is a fascinating exploration and crucial aspect of ancient Jewish religious and administrative life. It sheds light on the role and significance of scribes, particularly focusing on their “designated chambers”within the temple complex. (That is a whole sermon for me to teach scribes later. We have designated spaces in God’s house.)
Through a detailed examination of scripture, we can uncover the vital functions scribes performed in preserving, teaching, and administering the law.
Our key passages are in Jeremiah 36. Be mindful that there is a HUGE BOOK in these initial words here. In addition, this is not the only passage or situation in scripture where “the chamber of the scribe” unfolds.
In Jeremiah 36, we encounter Baruch, the scribe of the prophet Jeremiah, READING THE PROPHET’S words in a “particular chamber within the TEMPLE.” The passage reads:
Jeremiah 36:10-12 (KJV)
10 Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD’s house, in the ears of all the people.
11 When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,
12 Then he went down into the king’s house, into the SCRIBE’S CHAMBER: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.
This passage highlights the chamber of Gemariah, son of Shaphan the scribe, located in the higher court of the temple. The chamber’s prominent position at the entry of the new gate signifies the importance of the scribe’s role and the centrality of their work within the religious and administrative framework of ancient Israel.
The Role of Scribes (Not comprehensive)
AS WE TEACH IN THE SCRIBE SCHOOL, scribes were indispensable in various aspects of Jewish society. They were SCHOLARS, teachers, and record-keepers, entrusted with the meticulous preservation of sacred texts and legal documents. Their responsibilities included:
1. Recording Sacred Texts: Scribes meticulously copied scriptures, ensuring their accuracy and preservation for future generations.
2. Legal Documentation: They documented legal transactions, genealogies, and civic records, maintaining the integrity of societal functions.
3. Teaching: Scribes served as educators, instructing the people in the law and religious practices.
4. Administrative Duties: Often serving in the king’s court or the temple, scribes played significant roles in administration and governance.
This is why we fall it THE OFFICE of the scribe. The functions are tremendous… and clearly more admin and instructional than simply writing things down. In fact, copying was more significant to the work of the temple than writing.
Ezra and Nehemiah: Sets this out even farther
Additional insights into the role of scribes and their chambers can be found in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Ezra, a prominent scribe, is described as a “ready scribe in the law of Moses,” emphasizing his authority in interpreting and teaching the law:
Ezra 7:6 (KJV)
6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
Nehemiah provides a vivid depiction of Ezra’s public reading of the law, a task typically associated with scribes:
Nehemiah 8:1-3 (KJV)
1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
These passages illustrate the educational and judicial functions of scribes, who likely had “DESIGNATED spaces or chambers for their work,” similar to the chamber of Gemariah described in Jeremiah.
Real scribes live SUPERNATURALLY AND NATURALLY in the chambers of their King… Jesus.
There is much more to share. This article is basically scholarly in its presentation, but the REVELATION OF THE CHAMBER OF THE SCRIBE… is earth shaking concerning our identity in Christ. Put your hand to the plow, learn of yourself…
#chamberofthescribe #scribalprophets #thescribalanointing
