King James Bible Dictionary

In Romans 2:27, 29 means the outward form. The "oldness of the letter" (7:6) is a phrase which denotes the old way of literal outward obedience to the law as a system of mere external rules of conduct. In 2 Corinthians 3:6, "the letter" means the Mosaic law as a written law. (See WRITING.)

LET'TER, noun [from let.]

1. One who permits.

2. One who retards or hinders.

3. One who gives vent; as a blood-letter.

LET'TER, noun [Latin litera.]

1. A mark or character, written, printed, engraved or painted; used as the representative of a sound, or of an articulation of the human organs of speech. By sounds, and articulations or closures of the organs, are formed syllables and words. Hence a letter is the first element of written language, as a simple sound is the first element of spoken language or speech. As sounds are audible and communicate ideas to others by the ear, so letters are visible representatives of sounds, and communicate the thoughts of others by means of the eye.

2. A written or printed message; an epistle; a communication made by visible characters from one person to another at a distance.

The style of letters ought to be free, easy and natural.

3. The verbal expression; the literal meaning.

We must observe the letter of the law, without doing violence to the reason of the law, and the intentions of the lawgiver.

4. Type; a charter formed of metal or wood, usually of metal, and used in printing books.

5. Letters, in the plural, learning; erudition; as a man of letters.

Dead letter a writing or precept, which is without authority or force. The best law may become a dead letter

Letter of attorney, a writing by which one person authorizes another to act in his stead.

Letter of marque, a private ship commissioned or authorized by a government to make reprisals on the ships of another state. [See Marque.]

Letters patent, or overt, open, a writing executed and sealed, by which power and authority are granted to a person to do some act, or enjoy some right; as letters patent under the seal of England.

LET'TER, verb transitive To impress or form letters on; as, to letter a book; a book gilt and lettered.

LET'TER-CASE, noun A case or book to put letters in.

LET'TERED, participle passive Stamped with letters.

LET'TERED, adjective

1. Literate; educated; versed in literature or science.

LET'TER-FOUNDER, noun One who casts letters; a type-founder.

LET'TERING, participle present tense Impressing or forming letters on; as lettering a book on the cover.

LET'TERLESS, adjective Illiterate; unlettered; not learned.

LET'TER-PRESS, noun [letter and press.] Print; letters and words impressed on paper or other material by types.

Written by:

David to Joab
2 Samuel 11:14

King of Syria to king of Israel
2 Kings 5:5-6

Rab-Shakeh to Hezekiah
Isaiah 37:9-14

King of Babylon to Hezekiah
Isaiah 39:1

Sennacherib to Hezekiah
2 Kings 19:14

Artaxerxes to Nehemiah
Nehemiah 2:7-9

Open letter from Sanballat to Nehemiah
Nehemiah 6:5

Luke to Theophilus, the books of Luke and Acts
Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1

Claudius Lysias to Felix
Acts 23:25-30

Letters of intercession, by Paul to Philemon in behalf of Onesimus
Philippians 1:1-25

Letters of recommendation
2 Corinthians 3:1