We read in the Old Testament Scripture of this office in the time of the Kings, and it should seem at that time that it was an employment of great power. Thus when the king of Assyria sent to Hezekiah a blasphemous message and letter, we are told that then came out to the messengers Eleakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Josh the recorder. (2 Kings 18:18) And the name in the Hebrew for scribe, Sepher, seems to intimate a person of learning. In the days of our Lord the scribes were among the leading men of the nation. One thing however appears striking, and worthy our notice, namely learned as they might be in the law, they were ignorant of the spiritual sense of it. And what an awful string of woes hath the Lord Jesus caused to be recorded concerning then! (Matthew 23:13-39)