Literacy

Literacy in the OT

2 Kings 19:14 See also 2 Kings 5:7, 2 Kings 23:2; Nehemiah 8:2; Jeremiah 29:29, Jeremiah 51:61

So Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.

Literacy in the NT

Luke 4:16; Acts 8:28; Revelation 1:3 See also Acts 13:15; 2 Corinthians 1:13; Ephesians 3:4; Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27; 1 Timothy 4:13

Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read,

and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.

The use of secretaries for reading and writing

2 Kings 22:8–10; Ezra 4:18, Ezra 4:23; Esther 6:1; Jeremiah 36:4; Romans 16:22

Examples of literacy in Scripture

Nehemiah 9:38; John 8:8; Philemon 1:19 See also Deuteronomy 31:24–26; Joshua 18:9; 1 Chronicles 28:19; Luke 1:63; John 19:20; Acts 15:27

In view of all this, we make a binding agreement, putting it in writing and sealing it with the names of our leaders, Levites, and priests.”

And again He bent down and wrote on the ground.

I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it— not to mention that you owe me your very self.

Examples of illiteracy in Scripture

Isaiah 29:12

Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.”