There is no single agreed-on “official” number of Old Testament laws, but the most common traditional answer is 613 commandments in the Torah.

Quick Scoop: How Many Laws in the Old Testament?

The Famous 613 Number

  • In Jewish tradition, the laws (mitzvot) in the first five books of the Bible are often counted as 613 commandments (Hebrew: taryag mitzvot).
  • This count comes from rabbinic teaching , especially the medieval scholar Maimonides , who organized and listed them in his Sefer HaMitzvot (Book of Commandments).
  • These 613 are usually divided into:
    • 248 positive commands (“do this”)
    • 365 negative commands (“do not do this”)

In other words, when people ask “how many laws are in the Old Testament?”, they are usually referring to this traditional tally of 613 commandments in the Law of Moses.

Why the Number Isn’t Simple

  • The Bible itself never gives a number like “613 laws.” That count is an interpretive tradition, not a verse.
  • Different Jewish and Christian scholars sometimes disagree on what should be counted as a separate law, or whether one verse includes one command or several.
  • Because of this, some writers say the number 613 is symbolic and approximate , not mathematically exact.

Example: One verse might say not to work on the Sabbath and also not to make others work; some lists treat that as one law, others as two or more.

Where These Laws Are Found

Most of the Old Testament “laws” people mean here are in the Pentateuch (Torah):

  • Exodus (especially chapters 20–23)
  • Leviticus (many ritual, moral, and purity laws)
  • Numbers (various regulations mixed with narrative)
  • Deuteronomy (Moses’ sermons re‑stating and expanding the laws)

These laws include:

  • Moral laws (e.g., prohibitions on murder, theft, adultery).
  • Ceremonial laws (sacrifices, festivals, ritual purity).
  • Civil laws (property, restitution, courts, penalties).
  • Dietary laws (clean/unclean foods, etc.).

Different Viewpoints in Modern Discussion

  • Some Christians and Jews treat the 613 as a useful framework for understanding the scope of God’s covenant with Israel.
  • Other scholars point out that the exact number is less important than understanding the themes behind the laws—justice, holiness, mercy, and covenant loyalty.
  • On forums and discussion boards, people often debate which laws are still relevant today , especially in light of New Testament teachings about the law and grace.

So while “613 laws” is the classic answer, the real conversation is about how you count them and how you interpret them.

TL;DR

  • Common traditional answer: 613 commandments in the Old Testament Law of Moses.
  • The Bible itself does not state the number; it comes from later Jewish tradition.
  • Counting varies because it’s not always clear what is one law versus another.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.