Is Torah copied from Hammurabi’s Law? : Torah did not copy from Hammurabi’s Law

[paarsurrey]

Did Moses copy/plagiarize the Ten Commandments?

“Shushan, which lies 200 miles east of Babylon, was the capital of ancient Elam (Susiana), and later the winter palace of the Persian kings. It was the scene of many biblical events in the time of Daniel, Nehemiah, Queen Esther and King Ahasuerus (Xerxes).

French archaeologists began excavations at Shushan in 1852. M. Dieulafoy discovered the palace fortress that the writer of the book of Esther calls the citadel of Susa. In 1901, another expedition, led by de Morgan, uncovered three fragments of black stone. After being fitted together, they formed an impressive round-top stele or pillar, which stands about 7.5 feet high.

This was a copy of the Law Code of King Hammurabi, considered one of the most significant legal documents from antiquity. (Hammurabi was the sixth king of the first dynasty of Babylon, whose dating is controversial but commonly given as 1792-1750 B.C.) The stele is now displayed at the Louvre in Paris, France.

A relief on the upper face of the stele depicts the king in worship before the sun god on a throne. The code begins with a prologue, followed by 300 laws. These can be divided into 12 sections of law: legal process, thieves, vassals, homes and land, trade, inns, deposits, family, injury to others, building, hiring, and the treatment of slaves. Sixty-seven paragraphs cover the major subjects of marriage, family and property.” Unquote

Did Moses Steal the Ten Commandments? | Grace Communion International

I ask the Jewish posters here (non-Jewish may also respond):

Do you agree that Moses copied or plagiarized from the Law of Hammurabi?

Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

Do you agree that Law of Torah is copied or plagiarized from the Law of Hammurabi?

Jews or non-Jews to answer please with reasonable arguments.

Regards

 

[gnostic]

The torah was copied from the bible, it's a well known fact.

The Torah is the same first 5 books of the Christian bible of the Old Testament: from Genesis to Deuteronomy.

Some Christians may called these 5 books - Pentateuch.

What Christians called the Hebrew scriptures - "Old Testament", Jews called them - "Tanakh".

Does that help, Alex?

 

[mahasn ebn sawresho]

* <Of Hammurabi’s Law>
this law-discover in city his named is sosa in iran country
325 --the number of chapter this law
eye by eye and touth by touth--
yes it same
but the differ
is hummrabe say he recive this law from < anlel>and the islame is say to this principle
just christian not recognized in this principle

 

[paarsurrey]

Do you agree that Law of Torah is copied or plagiarized from the Law of Hammurabi?

Jews or non-Jews to answer please with reasonable arguments.

Regards

How would comment on the following? :

&#8220;A lot of the stories in the Old Testament are in fact plagiarized material, particularly from the rich mythical heritage of the Sumerians &#8211; the inventors of writing. The story of Noah and the flood story, the creation of man out of clay ,Cain and Abel, the gardens of Eden, the tree of knowledge, creation of Eve from Adams rib, and numerous other myths, like the throwing of Moses after he was born in the river, are all but stories found recorded on Sumerian clay tablets dating 5000 years back in time&#8221;

Hebrew Bible: Plagiarized Mythology and Defaced Monotheism | Pyramidion

Regards

 

[DawudTalut]

Is Torah copied from Hammurabi&#8217;s Law? : Torah did not copy from Hammurabi&#8217;s Law

Your valuable inputs please.
Jews and non-Jews; all may comment here

Regards

Peace be on you.

1=
" Ezra the Scribe (10) came to Jerusalem with the Torah sometime between 458 B.C. and 398 &#8212; accounts differ. Some scholars suggest thisTorah was the Oral Law, others that it was the Old Testament. Some say he authored the Torah, others that he rewrote it from memory. Some say he reconstructed it from fragmentary parchments, others that he merely edited the Torah and rewrote it in Assyrian script. Whatever his role, apparently the very existence of Jewish law was for a while dependent on Ezra alone, and he is counted among the giants in Judaism.

And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. (Nehemiah 8:1-2)


A comparison between the Mosaic Law (dated at 1275 BC) and the Code of Hammurabi (published before Hammurabi's death in 1750 BC) reveals some striking similarities. The similarities suggest that Ezra the Scribe may have borrowed from the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi, and incorporated the doctrines as Mosaic Law.(45)

[45 A scholar's introduction to the Code of Hammurabi can be found at The Avalon Project : Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy


A translation of the Code itself is available at Law Code of Hammurabi cached at Law Code of Hammurabi ]
Source: More Critical Words of Talmud Study


2=
Talmud - Mas. Sukkah 20a
&#8220;&#8230;.For in ancient times when the Torah was forgotten from Israel, Ezra came up from Babylon and established it. [Some of] it was again forgotten and Hillel the Babylonian23 came up and established it. Yet again was [some of] it forgotten, and R. Hiyya and his sons came up24 and established it&#8230;..&#8221;
Source: JCR - The Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah


3=
&#8220; &#8212;In Rabbinical Literature:
Ezra marks the springtime in the national history of Judaism. "The flowers appear on the earth" (Cant. ii. 12) refers to Ezra and Nehemiah (Midr. Cant. ad loc.). Ezra was worthy of being the vehicle of the Law, had it not been already given through Moses (Sanh.21b). It was forgotten, but Ezra restored it (Suk. 20a). But for its sins, Israel in the time of Ezra would have witnessed miracles as in the time of Joshua (Ber. 4a). Ezra was the disciple of Baruch ben Neriah (Cant. R.); his studies prevented him from joining the first party returning to Jerusalem in the reign of Cyrus, the study of the Law being of greater importance than the reconstruction of the Temple. According to another opinion, Ezra remained behind so as not to compete, even involuntarily, with Jeshua ben Jozadak for the office of chief priest. Ezra reestablished the text of the Pentateuch, introducing therein the Assyrian or square characters, apparently as a polemical measure against the Samaritans (Sanh. 21b). He showed his doubts concerning the correctness of some words of the text by placing points over them. Should Elijah, said he, approve the text, the points will be disregarded; should he disapprove, the doubtful words will be removed from the text (Ab. R. N. xxxiv.). Ezra wrote the Book of Chronicles and the book bearing his name (B. B. 16a)&#8230;&#8221;
Source: EZRA THE SCRIBE - JewishEncyclopedia.com


4=
For many years, Abraham was believed to have lived at the same time as Hammurabi, king of Babylon. Later scholars would date Abraham to the period shortly before the reign of Hammurabi. However, the result of recent research is that the chronology of the ancient world is being redated. Hammurabi now appears to be a near contemporary of Moses instead of Abraham. In Egyptian chronological studies, the patriarchs are dated earlier than ever before. In spite of this, there has been little research conducted on the relationship between Abraham and Mesopotamia in this new chronological revolution. This article will look at the current trends in chronological studies and how they relate to the life of Abraham. It will come to the conclusion that Abraham lived much earlier in Mesopotamian history than what most have realized.
Source: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-timeline/abraham-and-the-chronology-of-ancient-mesopotamia/


6=

In fact at least one commandment of Torah [in red] is mentioned in Holy Quran which is not present in Bible:
[Holy Quran, ch5:v46] And therein We prescribed for them: A life for a life, and an eye for an eye, and a nose for a nose, and an ear for an ear, and a tooth for a tooth, and for other injuries equitable retaliation. And whoso waives the right thereto, it shall be an expiation for his sins; and whoso judges not by what Allah has sent down, these it is who are wrongdoers.
Commentary # 751 @ https://www.alislam.org/quran/tafseer/?page=248&region=EN&CR=E1,E2&CR=E1,E2
Commentary # 677 @ https://www.alislam.org/quran/tafseer/?page=628&region=E1&CR=EN,E2&CR=EN,E2

For all these references, it seems that:
a-Torah was rewritten.

b-Torah was real but now it is changed. How much?

c-If Hammurabi existed near the time of Moses [as one above reference suggests, then maybe Hammurabi borrowed teaching from Moses]

d-If Hammurabi existed near the time of Abraham [as some people suggest so] then maybe Hammurabi took benefit of Scriptures of Abraham?.....Secular societies sometimes make their laws based on nearby existing Divine laws or benefit from them.

e-There are differences in approaches of Hammurabi and Moses; Moses revolves around God and morality, Hammurabi's code is for physical life and some of its laws are cruel [more punishment than actual crime].

f-At a place Quran mentions:
[ch87:v20]The Scriptures of Abraham and Moses.

Moses's teaching may have flavour of Abraham's teaching due to same God.

g[EDIT]-The true teaching of Torah is preserved in Quran:
https://www.alislam.org/quran/searc...&swep=N&swaotw=&rpp=10&search=Search&slang=EN
[please type " moses torah tablets children of Israel " in https://www.alislam.org/quran/ ]

 

[Pegg]

My question is that when there are so many similarities in Hammurabi's Law and the Torah; why Torah is not considered to have been copied/plagiarized from Hammurabi's Law?

Regards

Hammurabis law states:
“If [a builder] has caused the son of the owner of the house to die [because the house is faulty and collapses], one shall put to death the son of that builder.”

Mosaic law states:
“Fathers should not be put to death on account of children, and children should not be put to death on account of fathers.” (De 24:16)

Hammurabis law also stipulated death for theft, whereas the mosaic law stipulated repayment of what was taken.


There may be similarities in some areas due to the culture at the time being the same culture that the Isrealites lived among, but I dont think they have the same spirit.

 

[DawudTalut]

Peace be on you.
Thanks...that provides a proof to one of my points, mentioned in 'e' green area.

 

[paarsurrey]

I give here the 42 commandments of ancient Egypt and color in magenta which have relevance with the 10 commandments of Torah:


THE 42 COMMANDMENTS OF ANCIENT EGYPT

I. Thou shalt not kill, nor bid anyone kill.
II. Thou shalt not commit adultery or rape.
III. Thou shalt not avenge thyself nor burn with rage.
IV. Thou shalt not cause terror.
V. Thou shalt not assault anyone nor cause anyone pain.
VI. Thou shalt not cause misery.
VII. Thou shalt not do any harm to man or to animals.
VIII. Thou shalt not cause the shedding of tears.
IX. Thou shalt not wrong the people nor bear them any evil intent.
X. Thou shalt not steal nor take that which does not belong to you.
XI. Thou shalt not take more than thy fair share of food.
XII. Thou shalt not damage the crops, the fields, or the trees.
XIII. Thou shalt not deprive anyone of what is rightfully theirs.
XIV. Thou shalt not bear false witness, nor support false allegations.
XV. Thou shalt not lie, nor speak falsely to the hurt of another.
XVI. Thou shalt not use fiery words nor stir up any strife.
XVII. Thou shalt not speak or act deceitfully to the hurt of another.
XVIII. Thou shalt not speak scornfully against others.
XIX. Thou shalt not eavesdrop.
XX. Thou shalt not ignore the truth or words of righteousness.
XXI. Thou shalt not judge anyone hastily or harshly.
XXII. Thou shalt not disrespect sacred places.
XXIII. Thou shalt cause no wrong to be done to any workers or prisoners.
XXIV. Thou shalt not be angry without good reason.
XXV. Thou shalt not hinder the flow of running water.
XXVI. Thou shalt not waste the running water.
XXVII. Thou shalt not pollute the water or the land.
XXVIII. Thou shalt not take God’s name in vain.
XXIX. Thou shalt not despise nor anger God.
XXX. Thou shalt not steal from God.
XXXI. Thou shalt not give excessive offerings nor less than what is due.
XXXII. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.
XXXIII. Thou shalt not steal from nor disrespect the dead.
XXXIV. Thou shalt remember and observe the appointed holy days.
XXXV. Thou shalt not hold back the offerings due God.
XXXVI. Thou shalt not interfere with sacred rites.
XXXVII. Thou shalt not slaughter with evil intent any sacred animals.
XXXVIII. Thou shalt not act with guile or insolence.
XXXIX. Thou shalt not be unduly proud nor act with arrogance.
XL. Thou shalt not magnify your condition beyond what is appropriate.
XLI. Thou shalt do no less than your daily obligations require.
XLII. Thou shalt obey the law and commit no treason.

42 Principles of Maat 2000 years before Ten Commandments « Xenophilia (True Strange Stuff)

Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

Is Torah copied from Hammurabi’s Law? : Torah did not copy from Hammurabi’s Law


So, everybody agrees that eight of the ten commandments of Torah have been copied/plagiarized/adapted from Hammurabi’s Law.

Is it so?

Why does not one think that Moses commandments and Hammurabi's Law both could be from the same original source; hence the similarities?

What is the difficulty there?

Regards

 

[paarsurrey]

Is Torah copied from Hammurabi’s Law?

 

[Shad]

Is Torah copied from Hammurabi&#8217;s Law? : Torah did not copy from Hammurabi&#8217;s Law
4=
For many years, Abraham was believed to have lived at the same time as Hammurabi, king of Babylon. Later scholars would date Abraham to the period shortly before the reign of Hammurabi. However, the result of recent research is that the chronology of the ancient world is being redated. Hammurabi now appears to be a near contemporary of Moses instead of Abraham. In Egyptian chronological studies, the patriarchs are dated earlier than ever before. In spite of this, there has been little research conducted on the relationship between Abraham and Mesopotamia in this new chronological revolution. This article will look at the current trends in chronological studies and how they relate to the life of Abraham. It will come to the conclusion that Abraham lived much earlier in Mesopotamian history than what most have realized.
Source: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-timeline/abraham-and-the-chronology-of-ancient-mesopotamia/

This is completely wrong. Moses is dated around 1300 BCE according to Biblical sources. Hammurabi is dated by archaeology to 1700 BCE. You are using a Christian YEC site as a source. You are using any sources to confirm you bias, a source which is not academic. If you read the link it provides no evidence for the view of Moses. It is speculation that is all.

For all these references, it seems that:
a-Torah was rewritten.

b-Torah was real but now it is changed. How much?

c-If Hammurabi existed near the time of Moses [as one above reference suggests, then maybe Hammurabi borrowed teaching from Moses]

d-If Hammurabi existed near the time of Abraham [as some people suggest so] then maybe Hammurabi took benefit of Scriptures of Abraham?.....Secular societies sometimes make their laws based on nearby existing Divine laws or benefit from them.

e-There are differences in approaches of Hammurabi and Moses; Moses revolves around God and morality, Hammurabi's code is for physical life and some of its laws are cruel [more punishment than actual crime].

f-At a place Quran mentions:
[ch87:v20]The Scriptures of Abraham and Moses.

Moses's teaching may have flavour of Abraham's teaching due to same God.

A is the documentary hypothesis. If A then B stands however A is not accepted by everyone nor is it the only theory. C and D is false. E is incorrect as the Code was developed within a religion. [FONT=verdana, arial]Hammurabi was a religious man. He changed the religion of the region to favour Marduk over the previous Nippur system of [/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial]Enlil. [/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial]Enlil was assimilated into Marduk Babylon become the center of religion rather than Nippur. During his rule you see a major growth of the Amorite religion which caused a decline in the previous Nippur Sumerian system. The Code was made due the religious conviction that Marduk command the creation of the Code for stability of the emerging center of religion and political unite of Babylon and its client-state Empire.

The conclusion is not sound nor factual. It is grasping at straws.
[/FONT]

 

[Shad]

Is Torah copied from Hammurabi’s Law?

The fact is the Code influenced the regions laws for centuries. The only reason to assume that Torah laws developed in a vacuum is due to a religion ideology. Judaism has a long history of having been influenced by foreign cultures.