Hebrew Law in Biblical Times

This book presents the scholar, historian, lawyer, and general student of the Bible with a highly readable and very useful handbook. First published in Jerusalem in 1964, this concise yet knowledgeable treatise remains highly illuminating. Its skillful organization makes it the most accessible of all introductions to Biblical Law.

Falk's research is grounded in historical, sociological, linguistic, and comparative data. His work yields interesting insights about technical legal terminology, vital social information behind the Israelite legal system, as well as broad perspectives on law among Israel's neighbors, the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Egyptians.

Ultimately Falk's interests are religious and spiritual. Alongside its discussions of homicide, torts, property, contracts, slavery, and divorce, this book includes sections on law and religion, divine judgment, collective responsibility, blasphemy, and religious elements in biblical family law. Above all, these studies make it clear that Hebrew Law in biblical times cannot be understood except as an integrated system of social institutions and religious values.