What is the meaning of Code Of Hammurabi in the Bible?
The Code of Hammurabi is a Babylonian legal text inscribed on a diorite stele discovered in 1901 at Susa, dating to the reign of King Hammurabi (c. 1792–1750 BC), containing 282 laws.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
This text provides essential historical context for understanding the legal traditions and societal structures of the ancient Near East, illuminating the cultural backdrop against which biblical laws were established and interpreted.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Code Of Hammurabi functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Code Of Hammurabi in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Code Of Hammurabi clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Code Of Hammurabi." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/code-of-hammurabi/