Topical Bible: Regulations

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of the Bible, "regulations" refer to the divinely ordained laws, commandments, and ordinances given by God to guide the moral, ceremonial, and civil life of His people. These regulations are primarily found in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, and are integral to understanding the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Old Testament Context

The concept of regulations is deeply rooted in the covenantal framework established between God and the Israelites. In Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, God provides a comprehensive set of laws that cover various aspects of life, including worship, social justice, and personal conduct. These laws are often referred to as the Mosaic Law or the Law of Moses.

In Exodus 24:12, God invites Moses to Mount Sinai to receive the tablets of stone, which contain the law and commandments: "The LORD said to Moses, 'Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.'" . This moment marks the formal giving of the law, which includes regulations that are meant to set Israel apart as a holy nation.

Leviticus, in particular, is rich with regulations concerning ceremonial purity, sacrifices, and priestly duties. Leviticus 18:4-5 states, "You are to practice My judgments and keep My statutes by walking in them. I am the LORD your God. Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD." . These verses emphasize the life-giving nature of adhering to God's regulations.

Purpose and Function

The regulations serve multiple purposes. They are a means of maintaining holiness and purity among the people, ensuring that they remain distinct from surrounding nations. They also provide a framework for justice and equity, as seen in laws concerning the treatment of the poor, widows, and orphans (Deuteronomy 24:17-18).

Moreover, the regulations are a reflection of God's character and His desire for His people to emulate His holiness. Leviticus 19:2 commands, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.'" . This call to holiness is central to the understanding of the regulations.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the role of the Mosaic Law and its regulations is reinterpreted in light of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus fulfills the law, as stated in Matthew 5:17: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them." . The regulations, therefore, find their ultimate purpose in pointing to Christ and His redemptive work.

The Apostle Paul addresses the relationship between the law and the believer in several of his epistles. In Galatians 3:24-25, he writes, "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." . Here, Paul highlights the temporary and preparatory role of the regulations, which lead to the greater revelation of salvation through faith in Christ.

Continued Relevance

While Christians are not bound by the ceremonial and civil regulations of the Mosaic Law, the moral principles underlying these laws continue to hold relevance. The New Testament reiterates the importance of love, justice, and holiness, which are foundational to the regulations given in the Old Testament. The ethical teachings of Jesus and the apostles build upon these principles, guiding believers in their conduct and relationship with God and others.

Greek

1379. dogmatizo -- to decree, to subject oneself to an ordinance
... an ordinance. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: dogmatizo Phonetic Spelling:
(dog-mat-id'-zo) Short Definition: I subject to regulations, decree Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1379.htm - 6k

5442. phulasso -- to guard, watch
... I am on my guard, (b) act. and mid. of customs and regulations: I keep, observe.
5442 (akin to 5441 , "a military guard") -- properly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5442.htm - 9k

3784. opheilo -- to owe
... and economic, and then later one's , duties and responsibilities to the gods and
to men, or to their sacrosanct regulations. . . expresses human and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3784.htm - 8k

1345. dikaioma -- an ordinance, a sentence of acquittal or ...
... of acquittal or condemnation, a righteous deed NASB Word Usage act of righteousness
(1), justification (1), ordinance (1), regulations (2), requirement (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1345.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew

1881. dath -- decree, law
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition decree, law NASB Word Usage decree
(5), edict (4), edicts (1), law (7), laws (3), regulations (1). ...
/hebrew/1881.htm - 6k

Library

Statutes and Regulations of Serampore College
... LIFE OF WILLIAM CAREY, DD II."STATUTES AND REGULATIONS OF SERAMPORE COLLEGE.
June 12th, 1833. 1. Article the Third of the Charter ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/ii statutes and regulations of serampore.htm

"Amongst Our Other Regulations for the Permanent Advantage of the ...
... Chap. XXXIV. "Amongst our other regulations for the permanent advantage
of the commonweal? "Amongst our other regulations for ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xxxiv amongst our other.htm

Treating of the Regulations Respecting Idolatry as Being Peculiar ...
... Chapter V. Treating of the regulations respecting idolatry as being peculiar
to Christianity? Treating of the regulations respecting ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter v treating of the.htm

How it is That, Just as a Great Reward is Due to the Monk who ...
... How it is that, just as a great reward is due to the monk who labours according
to the regulations of the fathers, so likewise punishment must he inflicted on ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxxiii how it is.htm

Leviticus
... The laws of purification are appropriately concluded by the law for the great day
of atonement, with regulations for the ceremonial cleansing of the high ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

Moravians, or United Brethren.
... They consider none of their peculiar regulations essential, but all liable to be
altered or abandoned, whenever it is found necessary, in order better to ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/moravians or united brethren.htm

Objections to General Synod.
... particular prescriptions how church-government should be regulated, she therefore
enjoys the privilege in all her departments to make such regulations as may ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/objections to general synod.htm

Introduction
... rural churches of Syria. Others [467] hold that its regulations regarding
prophets betray its Montanist origin. A third opinion [468 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/introduction 5.htm

Anti-Romanistic Attitude.
... But with respect to local and temporary regulations, such as the place and time
of meeting, and such like things, which do not interfere with matters of faith ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/anti-romanistic attitude.htm

The Book of Humanity
... It is impossible to read through the Mosaic requirements concerning bodily cleanliness,
the sanitary arrangements of the camps, the regulations for cooking the ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter iii the book of.htm

Thesaurus

Regulations (37 Occurrences)
...Regulations (37 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). John 2:6 Now there were six stone jars standing
there (in accordance with the Jewish regulations for purification) (WEY) ...
/r/regulations.htm - 17k

Clean (298 Occurrences)
... It existed before the Flood (Genesis 7:2). The regulations regarding such animals
are recorded in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14:1-21. ...
/c/clean.htm - 44k

Regulation (6 Occurrences)
... A rule or order prescribed for management or government; prescription; a regulating
principle; a governing direction; precept; law; as, the regulations of a ...
/r/regulation.htm - 8k

Vote (3 Occurrences)
... in which the person voting has an interest in common with others, either in electing
a person to office, or in passing laws, rules, regulations, etc.; suffrage ...
/v/vote.htm - 8k

Leprosy (51 Occurrences)
... We have the description of the disease, as well as the regulations connected
with it, in Leviticus 13; 14; Numbers 12:10-15, etc. ...
/l/leprosy.htm - 37k

Gentiles (150 Occurrences)
... Under Old Testament regulations they were simply non-Israelites, not from the stock
of Abraham, but they were not hated or despised for that reason, and were ...
/g/gentiles.htm - 45k

Refuge (111 Occurrences)
... gate. 3. Regulations: The regulations concerning the Cities of Refuge are
found in Numbers 35 Deuteronomy 19:1-13 Joshua 20. Briefly ...
/r/refuge.htm - 41k

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)
... 2. Mosaic Regulations: Later Judaism has much to say as to the number and size of
the loaves, more properly thin cakes, which bore this name, together with ...
/s/shewbread.htm - 20k

Code (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any system of rules or regulations relating to one subject; as, the medical
code, a system of rules for the regulation of the professional conduct of ...
/c/code.htm - 40k

Hammurabi
... As slavery had the greatest economic significance in Babylonia, detailed regulations
concerning the seizing of runaway slaves and similar matters were given ...
/h/hammurabi.htm - 47k

Resources

If getting married would cause financial issues due to government regulations, is it acceptable for a couple to have a spiritual marriage, but not a legal marriage? | GotQuestions.org

What is a rite? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about legalism? How can a Christian avoid falling into the trap of legalism? | GotQuestions.org

Regulations: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Regulations (37 Occurrences)

Luke 1:6
They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
(See NIV)

John 2:6
Now there were six stone jars standing there (in accordance with the Jewish regulations for purification)
(WEY)

Ephesians 2:15
having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace;
(See NIV)

Colossians 2:14
wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;
(See NIV)

Colossians 2:20
If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,
(See RSV)

Hebrews 9:1
Now even the first Covenant had regulations for divine worship, and had also its sanctuary--a sanctuary belonging to this world.
(WEY NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 9:10
being only (with meats and drinks and various washings) fleshly ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 12:43
Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the ordinance of the Passover. No foreigner shall eat of it,
(See NIV)

Leviticus 6:9
"Command Aaron and his sons, saying,'This is the law of the burnt offering: the burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning; and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 6:14
"'This is the law of the meal offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before Yahweh, before the altar.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 6:25
"Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying,'This is the law of the sin offering: in the place where the burnt offering is killed, the sin offering shall be killed before Yahweh. It is most holy.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 7:1
"'This is the law of the trespass offering. It is most holy.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 7:11
"'This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which one shall offer to Yahweh.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 11:46
"'This is the law of the animal, and of the bird, and of every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth,
(See NIV)

Leviticus 12:7
and he hath brought it near before Jehovah, and hath made atonement for her, and she hath been cleansed from the fountain of her blood; this 'is' the law of her who is bearing, in regard to a male or to a female.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 14:57
to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 26:46
These are the statutes, ordinances and laws, which Yahweh made between him and the children of Israel in Mount Sinai by Moses.
(See NIV)

Numbers 9:3
In the fourteenth day of this month, at evening, you are to keep it at the regular time, and in the way ordered in the law.
(See NIV)

Numbers 9:12
They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break a bone of it. According to all the statute of the Passover they shall keep it.
(See NIV)

Numbers 9:14
"'If a foreigner lives among you, and desires to keep the Passover to Yahweh; according to the statute of the Passover, and according to its ordinance, so shall he do. You shall have one statute, both for the foreigner, and for him who is born in the land.'"
(See NIV)

Numbers 15:16
One law and one ordinance shall be for you, and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner with you.'"
(See NIV)

Numbers 35:24
then the congregation shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances;
(See NIV)

Numbers 36:13
These are the commandments and the ordinances which Yahweh commanded by Moses to the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:28
Observe and hear all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you forever, when you do that which is good and right in the eyes of Yahweh your God.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 10:25
Then Samuel told the people the regulations of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before Yahweh. Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
(WEB NIV)

1 Kings 6:12
"Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in my statutes, and execute my ordinances, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father.
(See NIV)

1 Kings 8:58
that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his ordinances, which he commanded our fathers.
(See NIV)

2 Kings 23:3
The king stood by the pillar, and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book: and all the people stood to the covenant.
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 6:32
They gave worship with songs before the House of the Tent of meeting, till Solomon put up the house of the Lord in Jerusalem; and they took their places for their work in their regular order.
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 24:19
This was the ordering of them in their service, to come into the house of Yahweh according to the ordinance given to them by Aaron their father, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
(See NIV)

2 Chronicles 34:31
The king stood in his place, and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.
(See NIV)

Nehemiah 9:13
You came down also on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments,
(See NIV)

Nehemiah 10:29
They joined with their brothers, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of Yahweh our Lord, and his ordinances and his statutes;
(See NIV)

Esther 9:32
The commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 43:11
If they be ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the form of the house, and its fashion, and its exits, and its entrances, and all its forms, and all its ordinances, and all its forms, and all its laws; and write it in their sight; that they may keep the whole form of it, and all its ordinances, and do them.
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 43:18
He said to me, Son of man, thus says the Lord Yahweh: These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 44:5
Yahweh said to me, Son of man, mark well, and see with your eyes, and hear with your ears all that I tell you concerning all the ordinances of the house of Yahweh, and all its laws; and mark well the entrance of the house, with every exit of the sanctuary.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Regulations

Related Terms

Rehabi'ah (3 Occurrences)

Isshiah (5 Occurrences)

Elie'zer (14 Occurrences)

Eliezer (14 Occurrences)

Jishijah (6 Occurrences)

Ishshiah (3 Occurrences)

Isshi'ah (5 Occurrences)

Multiplied (109 Occurrences)

Numerous (88 Occurrences)