Something to Think About

I will give you…the law; Exodus 24:12

The full quote of Exodus 24:12 is And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them. 

In Hebrew, the word translated law is torah (OT8541); the word translated commandments is mitsvaw (OT4687). We often refer to what was written on the tablets of stone as the 10 Commandments, the mitsvaw. But we also refer to the 10 Commandments as the torah. But is that what God meant? Could the torah be what Moses was to teach about the commandments? Maybe.

Strong defines torah, OT8451, as law; direction; instruction (in that order). Which goes along with how the word torah is most often translated: the law. Another Hebrew lexicon defines torah as: direction, instruction, law (in that order) which is how torah is sometimes translated. Another Hebrew lexicon defines torah as instruction, doctrine, law (in that order), which is how torah is often understood. That is, torah is what was to be taught; instructions for life. In the KJV OT8451 is translated law 219 times; almost always.

Strong defines mitsvaw, OT4687, as commandment, law, ordinance, precept. Another lexicon defines mitsvaw as command, law, ordinance, precept. Another defines OT4687 as command or precept. In the KJV it is most often translated commandments (177 times).

How did the Psalmist understand torah (the law)?  The Psalms refer to the law often. Let’s just take two as examples. Psalm 1:2: But his delight is in the law of the LORD and in His law, he meditates day and night. The word law is torah. What does the man do who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, verse 1? Does he delight in the 10 Commandments of the LORD or does he meditate on the teachings of the LORD day and night? How about Psalm 119:142? Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. And Your law is truth. Again, the word law is torah.  Which is the truth? The 10 commandments or the instructions of the LORD. Food for thought.