mosaic law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1+Formal, academic, theological, historical
Quick answer
What does “mosaic law” mean?
The body of religious and civil laws given by God to Moses, as recorded in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (the Torah or Pentateuch).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The body of religious and civil laws given by God to Moses, as recorded in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (the Torah or Pentateuch).
Often used synonymously with the Law of Moses or the Torah; in broader theological or historical contexts, it can refer to the foundational legal and ethical system of ancient Israel, distinct from later rabbinic interpretations or Christian theology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or syntactic differences. Usage is identical in formal religious and academic contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong religious/historical connotations. In British English, it might be slightly more associated with formal academic study (e.g., theology, ancient history), while in American English, it may also appear more frequently in public discourse due to higher visibility of religious topics.
Frequency
Low frequency in general use, but stable and identical in specialised theological, historical, or legal-historical texts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “mosaic law” in a Sentence
[Subject] adheres to/violates Mosaic law.Mosaic law governs/forbids/prescribes [object].According to Mosaic law, [clause].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mosaic law” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The community sought to mosaic-law their conduct, but found it challenging.
- (Note: Extremely rare, non-standard verbalisation)
American English
- You can't just mosaic-law your way out of this modern problem. (Figurative, informal)
adjective
British English
- The Mosaic-law framework was central to their identity. (Attributive use of noun phrase)
- They engaged in a detailed Mosaic-law analysis.
American English
- He took a very Mosaic-law approach to the regulations. (Figurative)
- The debate focused on Mosaic-law principles.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Only in metaphorical use, e.g., 'The company's old rulebook was like a Mosaic law, impossible to follow completely.'
Academic
Common in theology, religious studies, history, and comparative law. Used with precision to denote the specific legal corpus of the Torah.
Everyday
Very rare. Might appear in religious discussions or allusions.
Technical
Used in biblical scholarship, theological discourse, and historical analysis of ancient Near Eastern law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mosaic law”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mosaic law”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mosaic law”
- Uncapitalised: 'mosaic law' (should be 'Mosaic law').
- Using it to refer to any complex set of rules, losing the specific historical/religious reference.
- Confusing it with the Ten Commandments specifically (which are a subset).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the Ten Commandments are a central and famous part of Mosaic law, but Mosaic law encompasses hundreds of other commandments covering civil, criminal, ritual, and ethical matters found in the Torah.
Observant Jewish people follow Halakha (Jewish law), which is based on Mosaic law but includes centuries of rabbinic interpretation, adaptation, and legislation to address new circumstances. It is not a literal, unchanged application of the biblical text.
It is called 'Mosaic' because it is attributed to Moses (Moshe in Hebrew), the prophet and leader who, according to the biblical narrative, received the law from God and transmitted it to the Israelites.
No contemporary nation uses Mosaic law as its direct, sole civil legal code. However, its principles have profoundly influenced Western legal and ethical traditions, and it remains the foundational religious law for Judaism.
The body of religious and civil laws given by God to Moses, as recorded in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (the Torah or Pentateuch).
Mosaic law is usually formal, academic, theological, historical in register.
Mosaic law: in British English it is pronounced /məʊˌzeɪ.ɪk ˈlɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /moʊˌzeɪ.ɪk ˈlɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Under the yoke of the Mosaic law.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MOSAIC LAW: Moses Carried Stone Tablets Inscribed With Commandments – Law Given At Wilderness.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FOUNDATION/FRAMEWORK (for a society or religion). A BURDEN/YOKE (when seen as oppressive). A CODE/INSTRUCTION MANUAL (for life).
Practice
Quiz
In Christian theology, what is a common conceptual contrast to 'Mosaic law'?