appeal Summary and Overview

a reference of any case from an inferior to a superior court. Moses established in the wilderness a series of judicatories such that appeals could be made from a lower to a higher (Ex. 18:13-26.) Under the Roman law the most remarkable case of appeal is that of Paul from the tribunal of Festus at Caesarea to that of the emperor at Rome (Acts 25:11, 12, 21, 25). Paul availed himself of the privilege of a Roman citizen in this matter.

The principle, of appeal was recognized by the Mosaic law in the establishment of a central court under the presidency of the judge or ruler for the time being, before which all cased too difficult for the local court were to be tried. #De 17:8,9| According to the above regulation, the appeal lay in the time of the Judges to the judge, #Jud 4:5| and under the monarchy to the king. Jehoshaphat delegated his judicial authority to a court permanently established for the purpose. #2Ch 19:8| These courts were re-established by Ezra. #Ezr 7:25| After the institution of the Sanhedrin the final appeal lay to them. St. Paul, as a Roman citizen, exercized a right of appeal from the jurisdiction of the local court at Jerusalem to the emperor. #Ac 25:11|

APPEAL' . The right of appeal was acknowledged in the Jewish law. Deut 17:8, Gal 1:9. For matters of controversy might be referred for final adjudication to "the priests, the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days," in the place chosen of God. But this is not, properly speaking, such an appeal as our law recognizes. Yet we find traces of the principle in the days of the Judges, Jud 4:5, and of the kings. 2 Sam 15:3. Jehoshaphat established a permanent court before which all cases might come. 2 Chr 19:8. This court was re-established by Ezra. Ezr 7:25. The Sanhedrin in later times was the court of final appeal. By the Roman law every accused citizen had a right to carry his cause before the emperor at Rome, by appeal from the judgment of the magistrate. Acts 25:11.

Deuteronomy 17:8-9 implies a court of appeal in hard cases; compare Judges 4:5. The king subsequently deputized persons to inquire into and decide appeals (2 Samuel 15:3). Jehoshaphat appointed Levites, priests, and some of the fathers to constitute a court of appeal (2 Chronicles 19:8). Compare Ezra 7:25. Afterward the final appeal lay to the Sanhedrim. A Roman citizen could appeal, in criminal cases, from the magistrate to the people; and in after times to the emperor, who succeeded to the power of the people. Paul's appeal (Acts 25:11) was from a trial by a provincial magistrate to one by the emperor.