The Post-biblical Scribe

From what I recall, there wasn’t much mention of modern-day scribes before 2015. Some of the first stuff I learned about them, outside of the Bible, came by way of Rick Joyner. Now, there are a plethora of prophecies flowing about today’s scribe. Still, I question if most know what one looks like, so this post intends to define the postbiblical scribe. But before looking at the present expression of one, let’s check out their biblical counterpart.

Who were the scribes? In scripture, the scribal trade typically passed down generationally. Many were priests or had some connection to the Levitical order. [1] Though their role was always important, over time their acclaim grew. They proved particularly valuable during Israel’s 70-year Babylonian captivity, as they were especially needed to preserve the heritage of this displaced community. In the New Testament, more of those without any priestly connections made their way into this profession and as their celebrity continued to rise, many esteemed their words above the Law of God. [2]

The role of a scribe. Biblical scribes were recorders or copyists, documenting, classifying, and preserving everything from the Holy Scriptures, history, legal documents, administrative letters, etc. As it relates to the written law, they were not only tasked with copying it but also interpreting and teaching it to others. Their knowledge, birthed through their intimacy with scripture, afforded them great understanding, power and authority.

While some copyists, preferred the solemn and quiet responsibility of a conventional scribe, others pursued work in government, became consultants, teachers, and lawyers even. Some scribes, like Baruch, served the prophets and published their words.[3]

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The traits of a scribe.

• Scribes are students of Scripture, not only do they know it, but they have a high degree of understanding in it.

• Scribes have good memories. Most can easily recall scriptures, events, and the words of others. Remember scribes are recorders – I grew up being told I was a “tape recorder!”

• Scribes are skilled wordsmiths. They have a knack to easily recite and relay information, in written, vocal, and visual forms.

• Scribes are resourceful. They’re reservoirs and retainers of a comprehensive wealth of general knowledge.

• Scribes are meticulously detail oriented. The craft of accurately collecting, structuring/organizing, and recounting requires such skills.

• Scribes are scholars. Scribes diligently study to fully understand the material set before them, causing them to excel in the area of learning and teaching. They easily become masters and experts in the subjects they study and other areas of interests.

• Scribes are natural teachers. Don’t be annoyed by their desire to educate, inform, and share what they’ve learned. They aren’t know-it-alls or show-offs, teaching it’s simply a part of their temperament.

• Scribes are sage. The words of a scribe are full of wisdom. On September 30, 2016, @ 12:37 pm, I penned: Do you think the Lord would allow a scribe to labor over His word and not give revelation?

• Scribes make things plain. On January 13, 2017, at 12:43 pm the Lord told me “scribes make things palatable.” Meaning they make information (even the tough stuff) plain, understandable, and easy to digest.

Technical writers and Bible translators do this. Have you read the Bible’s Passion Translation? Dr. Brian Simmons is one the lead translators, and it passionately expresses God’s love plainly, by using fresh language in context with centuries-old text.

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Potential jobs of interest for a scribe. Beyond the typical job of a writer, journalist, reporter, or theologian, I believe that some modern-day scribes are bible translators. Some are historians – recording the events of days past or legal writers – analyzing, editing, and writing legal documents.

Some are copywriters – writing and creating other marketing content to increase brand awareness. Others are editors and ghostwriters, skillfully crafting the words of another to improve readability or creating material altogether. Several postbiblical scribes are also secretaries and administrators – recording, retrieving, and organizing data.

Still, beyond that, I think many of them are bloggers, collectors, filmmakers, videographers, and even sketch artists (think about the courtroom sketch artists).

In the digital age, a scribe isn’t confined to just writing, you see a scribe records and reports. And the means of doing that just isn’t with pen and paper…

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Featured Photo by Brandi Redd on Unsplash

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References

1. www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Scribe-Scribes
2. www.biblegateway.com/resources/smiths-bible-names-dictionary/Scribes
3. www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Scribe-Scribes; www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-men-bible/Baruch

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