Meaning of SCHOOL

This word is found in only one passage in the Bible (Acts 19:19). It probably refers to a lecture hall of a professor of rhetoric and philosophy.

Among the ancient Israelites there were no schools in the modern sense. But there was no lack of means of instruction, which began at home (Gen. 18:19; Deut. 6:7).

The Levites made rounds to instruct the elders in the law (Lev. 10:11; 2 Chr. 17:7-10). National history was told in the great festivals (Deut. 31:10-13; 32:1-43). The youth knew how to read and write (Judg. 8:14; Is. 10:19).

In the Greco-Roman period, primary schools were established attached to the synagogues. In the time of Gamaliel (teacher of St. Paul), attendance was mandatory from the age of six.


The scribes gave public lectures on the law in the rooms attached to the Temple and in the synagogues of each town. Education was free, because the "pahir" or teachers earned their living from other jobs; thus, Gamaliel, Paul's teacher, was also a tent weaver.

Teaching was oral and, as will be understood, memory was very important. Nothing is known about the primary and secondary schools of the people of Israel before the Babylonian captivity. When the Jewish people fell into idolatry and were subjugated by neighboring peoples, education declined noticeably.

According to the Talmud, a Hebrew boy began studying the Scriptures at home at age five (2 Tim. 3:15), he was sent to school at six; At ten he began the study of traditional doctrine, which was not written until after the time of Christ. Jesus was viewed with contempt because he had not studied in rabbinic schools.