Laws of Hammurabi
A Babylonian king's law stele from the patriarchal age
Found 1901 — French expedition under Jacques de Morgan, led in the field by Gustave Jéquier; deciphered by Jean-Vincent Scheil (1902)
Where Susa (Shush), Khuzestan, Iran (originally erected in Sippar or Babylon) (Iran)
Dates from c. 1755 BCE · Old Babylonian · Age of the patriarchs; background to the Torah's laws
Now at Louvre Museum, Paris (Sb 8)
How Laws of Hammurabi was found
Found in three pieces at Susa in December 1901–January 1902, where an Elamite king had carried it off as war booty from Babylonia in the 12th century BCE.
What it is
A black diorite stele 2.25 meters tall. At the top Hammurabi receives the symbols of justice from the sun-god Shamash; below, in Akkadian cuneiform, a prologue, 282 laws, and an epilogue cover family, property, injury, trade, and slavery.
Why it matters for the Bible
Hammurabi's laws are older than Moshe by several centuries and share many topics and even phrases with the Torah: the goring ox, 'eye for eye', penalties for assault, and rules on slaves and debts. The comparisons show the Torah spoke the legal language of its world—but with differences: the Torah does not grade penalties by social class the way Hammurabi does, treats human life as worth more than property, and grounds its law in YHVH's covenant rather than a king's authority.
The Hebrew word: mish-pah-TEEM
מִשְׁפָּטִים
מִשְׁפָּטִים is pronounced mish-pah-TEEM and means judgments, case laws (Exodus 21–23) (Strong's H4941).
People this discovery connects to
- Moses — מֹשֶׁה (mo-SHEH) — drawn out
Places
- Babylon — בָּבֶל (bah-VEL) — Babel/Babylon
Events
Giving of the Torah at Sinai · Amraphel king of Shinar (once wrongly equated with Hammurabi)
Laws of Hammurabi in Scripture
Genesis 14:1 Amraphel king of Shinar was once identified with Hammurabi; that view is now rejected but explains the stele's place in Genesis studies.
Genesis 14:9 One of only 2 verses that name Amraphel.
Questions people ask
What is Laws of Hammurabi?
A black diorite stele 2.25 meters tall. At the top Hammurabi receives the symbols of justice from the sun-god Shamash; below, in Akkadian cuneiform, a prologue, 282 laws, and an epilogue cover family, property, injury, trade, and slavery.
When was Laws of Hammurabi discovered?
It was found in 1901 by French expedition under Jacques de Morgan, led in the field by Gustave Jéquier; deciphered by Jean-Vincent Scheil (1902), at Susa (Shush), Khuzestan, Iran (originally erected in Sippar or Babylon).
Where is Laws of Hammurabi today?
Louvre Museum, Paris (Sb 8).
Which Bible verses does Laws of Hammurabi relate to?
Genesis 14:1, Genesis 14:9.
Related discoveries
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