Lexical Summary nomothesia: Lawgiving, legislation Original Word: νομοθεσία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance giving of the law. From nomothetes; legislation (specially, the institution of the Mosaic code) -- giving of the law. see GREEK nomothetes NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nomothetés Definition legislation, lawgiving NASB Translation giving of the law (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3548: νομοθεσίανομοθεσία, νομοθεσίας, ἡ (νόμος, τίθημι), law-giving, legislation: Romans 9:4. (Plato, Aristotle, Polybius, Diodorus, Philo, others.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope The term refers to the historic event and enduring reality of God’s “law-giving”: His authoritative revelation of commandments, statutes, and ordinances that define covenant life, unveil His character, and set Israel apart among the nations. Occurrence in the New Testament (Romans 9:4) Paul lists “the giving of the Law” among Israel’s unique privileges: “...the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple worship, and the promises.” (Romans 9:4) By placing νομοθεσία between “the covenants” and “the temple worship,” Paul underscores its covenantal and worship-shaping role. Old Testament Foundations • Exodus 19:4-6 – Israel is called “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” immediately before the Ten Commandments are given. These passages reveal the Law as a gift of grace, not a burdensome imposition, marking Israel as God’s treasured possession. Historical Setting of the Giving of the Law The Sinai theophany (Exodus 19–24) is central: thunder, cloud, trumpet blast, blood of the covenant, and tablets “written by the finger of God.” Later elaborations through Moses (Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) expanded the initial Decalogue into a comprehensive covenant charter that governed worship, civil life, and personal ethics. Theological Significance in Romans 9:4 1. Privilege: Paul affirms that possession of the Law remains a dignifying honor for ethnic Israel (Romans 3:1-2). Relationship to Covenant and Election Lawgiving is nested within multiple covenants: Abrahamic promise (Genesis 15; 17) anticipated Sinai; the Davidic covenant presupposes Torah faithfulness (2 Samuel 7:14). Yet the Law never nullifies promise (Galatians 3:17-18). Instead it exposes sin (Romans 7:7), drives Israel to hope in the Seed (Galatians 3:19), and maintains national distinctiveness until the fullness of Gentile inclusion. Christological Fulfillment Jesus affirms, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17) Fulfillment involves: Continuity and Discontinuity for the Church Believers are “not under Law but under grace” (Romans 6:14) with respect to justification; yet the moral vision of the Law, now energized by the Spirit (Romans 8:4), shapes sanctification. Ceremonial and civil aspects find their completion in Christ’s priesthood and the international character of the church (Ephesians 2:14-16). Ministry Implications • Evangelism: The Law exposes sin, preparing hearts for the gospel (1 Timothy 1:8-11). Links with Other Biblical Themes Lawgiving intertwines with: Eschatological Outlook Prophets envision a future where “the law will go out from Zion” (Isaiah 2:3) and all nations stream to learn God’s ways. Revelation 15:3-4 portrays redeemed nations extolling God for His “righteous acts,” echoing Torah themes and anticipating the consummation when divine law and human will perfectly align. Summary Strong’s 3548, νομοθεσία, captures the once-for-all historical gift of God’s Law to Israel and its abiding theological weight. Rooted in Sinai, interpreted by the prophets, upheld and fulfilled in Christ, and applied by the Spirit, the “giving of the Law” remains pivotal for understanding covenant history, the gospel’s necessity, and the believer’s pursuit of holy living. Forms and Transliterations νομοθεσια νομοθεσία νομοθέσμως nomothesia nomothesíaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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