Page 43 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

The Code of Hammurabi

Babylon’s kind Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC) is best known for his code of law in scripted on a large stone.

His code contains 282 laws which have numerous parallels to the Scriptures. The collection of these
laws is incomplete and ignores many subjects which are contained in the Mosaic laws which stated 613
individual commandments. Hammurabi did not create these laws; rather, they appear to be a collection
of diverse traditions. It would not be until another 500 years before God would give a more complete
code of law to Moses at Sinai.

The format of the Code is very similar
to the Mosaic codes found in Exodus,
Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. Both
the Code of Hammurabi and the
Covenant Code of Moses have a
series of laws structured in an
“if…then” format. These laws begin
with the word “if,” introducing a
description of a potentially criminal
action. The format continues with the
word, “then,” offering the
consequences or penalty for breaking
the law. The format of this
presentation is often called “case
law” since its format describes particular cases or situations and the consequences for the offense.

The “if…then” format of the Code of Hammurabi appears frequently in the Covenant Law of Moses. The
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similarities of these two codes show there was a widespread legal tradition in the 2 millennium B.C. In
fact, a number of situations mentioned in the Hammurabi code are virtually duplicated in the Mosaic
code, often with differing penalties. xxix

Significance of Passover
Passover is one of the Spring Feasts of Israel celebrated on Nisan 14. It was commanded by God in
Leviticus 23: 4-8 to celebrate the story of the exodus when God freed the Israelites from slavery in
Egypt. The eve before their departure, God sent a death angel to kill the firstborn of all families. If a
family killed an innocent lamb and painted the lintel and doorposts of their entrance, then the death
angel“passed over” that household because of the blood. God used this event to illustrate what He was
going to do when Messiah came. In fact, on the very day of the high sabbath, as Passover commenced,
Jesus offered Himself up as the Passover Lamb.

In Israel, it was the practice of every family to slay a one-year-old unblemished male lamb at 3:00 PM,
just before Passover commenced at around 6:00 PM. It is no coincidence that Jesus shed his blood on
the cross of Calvary and cried out, “It is finished” at exactly 3:00 PM, giving up His life for the sins of all
mankind. He died as our Passover Lamb at the EXACT MINUTE the Passover lambs were slain.

Even more interesting is the fact that Jesus Christ may have been born on the Day of Atonement,
another fall feast commanded by God for Israel to celebrate. In a few more pages, we will show you
why we believe this to be true. On this day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies with the

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