Topical Encyclopedia The concept of a "school" in biblical times differs significantly from modern educational institutions. In the context of ancient Israel, education was primarily centered around religious instruction and the transmission of cultural and spiritual values. The primary setting for such instruction was the home, where parents, particularly fathers, were responsible for teaching their children the laws and commandments of God. This is evident in passages such as Deuteronomy 6:6-7 : "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."However, there is evidence to suggest that more formalized settings for learning existed, particularly in larger cities like Jerusalem. The city, being the religious and cultural center of Israel, likely hosted various forms of educational gatherings. The presence of scribes, priests, and prophets in Jerusalem would have necessitated some form of structured learning environment, possibly akin to a school. The role of the scribes is particularly noteworthy. Scribes were responsible for copying and preserving the Scriptures, and they were also teachers of the Law. In Nehemiah 8:1-8 , we see Ezra the scribe reading the Law to the people and explaining it, which suggests a form of public instruction. This passage highlights the communal aspect of learning, where the people gathered to hear and understand the Word of God. In the New Testament, the concept of a school is more explicitly mentioned. Acts 19:9 refers to the "lecture hall of Tyrannus," where the Apostle Paul taught daily. While this was in Ephesus, it indicates that the early Christian community valued structured teaching environments. Jerusalem, as the birthplace of the early church, would have been a hub for such activities, especially given its significance in Jewish and Christian history. The synagogue also played a crucial role in education. Synagogues served as centers for worship, community gatherings, and instruction. Luke 4:16 describes Jesus entering the synagogue in Nazareth on the Sabbath, where He stood up to read. This practice of reading and teaching from the Scriptures was a central aspect of synagogue life, and it is reasonable to assume that similar practices occurred in Jerusalem's synagogues. Furthermore, the rabbinic tradition, which developed more fully after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, had its roots in earlier Jewish educational practices. The rabbis, as teachers of the Law, would gather disciples around them, forming a more structured educational setting. This model of teacher-disciple relationships can be seen in the ministry of Jesus, who gathered His disciples and taught them both publicly and privately. In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention "schools" in Jerusalem, the city likely hosted various forms of educational activities centered around religious instruction. The presence of scribes, priests, and later, Christian teachers, suggests that Jerusalem was a significant center for learning and the transmission of spiritual knowledge. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 22:14So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelled in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 34:22 Library Jesus Living at Nazareth and visiting Jerusalem in his Twelfth ... From Antioch to the Destruction of Jerusalem. On the Journey to Jerusalem - Departure from Ephraim by Way of ... The Synod of Jerusalem, and the Compromise Between Jewish and ... The Church of Jerusalem and the Labors of Peter. Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act. Prolegomena The Early Years of Jesus First Attempts on Jerusalem. Jesus in the Temple. Resources What is Vacation Bible School? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about Sunday school? | GotQuestions.org What was the school of prophets? | GotQuestions.org School: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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