I believe we need to spend some time understanding how the word "torah" became translated to mean "law" in our modern Bibles today.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again....words matter. I’ve hesitated from using the word “torah” as I’ve tried to evangelize to people because it seems that this particular word is something that is easily boxed in under that assumption and is a word that makes many people feel uneasy or that it has to do with something being Jewish.
At the same time, it’s also difficult for me to use the word “law,” which is the English translation of the word “torah,” because the way modern society views the word “law” today is that it is a set of governmental rules enforceable by authorities and institutions.
I believe that much of our misunderstanding of Scripture today is because we don’t understand the intent and meaning of the original words that were being used at the times these books were written.
Every time you see the word “law” in the Old Testament, the word that was first used was “torah.” If we try to read Hebraic words with a western mindset, we are going to miss out on some really important understanding. The outline of the biblical usage of the word torah is in relation to “directions or instructions.”
When someone talks about the torah, often times they are referring to the first 5 books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Generally, they are referring to the commandments of Yahuah.
These books make up all of the commandments that were given to all 12 Tribes of Israel as well as the “mixed multitude” (the Gentiles) that were sojourning with them.
Jewish sources will tell you that the torah can also be used as a general term that refers to any Jewish text that expands or elaborates on the first 5 books, and is a term that encompasses an infinite number of interpretations.
This is absolutely FALSE.
Again, this is why words matter.
This is why we must be careful and use discernment when we navigate through the world wide web for truth. Thankfully, the Scriptures have all of the answers we are looking for.
So, let’s examine the word “torah.”
The root of this word is “yara,” which means “to point out something, or shoot an arrow, or to teach in the sense of throwing or pointing a finger in a straight line as the direction one is to walk.”
This is something called a causative conjunction, because the intent of the root of this word is to indicate a cause and effect—to teach in order to cause someone to move straight.
“Yara” is a verb.
“Torah” is a noun.
So, by making “torah” a noun, what it is implying is that the torah becomes “the one who does the teaching or pointing out, showing one how to walk.”
In other words, what I am trying to illustrate here, is that the torah is what teaches us how to walk. We are told to submit to Him so He can make our paths straight, right? (Proverbs 3:6).
The torah does not mean law—that is the application WE have prescribed to it because of the words that were used to translate the word “torah” and the meanings that we’ve assigned based on our western mindset, rather than seeking to understand its definition and implications through a Hebraic mindset.
For the Hebrews, in which the word was originally given to, the “torah” was not viewed as a law, but rather a set of instructions, from a parent to their children.
That’s why when Yah’s children did not keep His instructions, they were disciplined, so that He could foster obedience and train His children in His ways.
In Scripture, the word “torah” is translated as being one of Yahuah’s teachings as well as a parent’s teachings.
“My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the [torah] of your mother.”
Proverbs 1:8
“My son, do not forget My [torah], but let your heart keep my commandments.”
Proverbs 3:1
This provides us with a beautiful parallel of the intent of the word “torah.”
The true and biblical intent behind the Father’s “torah,” is that His commandments are to be understood as a parents’ instructions to their children. As children, if they are trying to obey their parents and they fall short of their rules/instructions, the child is disciplined and taught how to do better next time.
This is the same case we have for the Father’s torah. They are His instructions to teach us how to make our paths straight (as the root of the word implies) by learning how to love Him, serve Him and love others the way a parent would teach their children.
We are unable to gain this understanding because the word “law” today in English is associated with a set of governmental rules, in which violation of them requires punishment. The laws of our government do not give any room for teaching or grace. This is opposite of the intentions of the torah.
Yes, there is punishment for breaking them, but as believers, we have faith that our Messiah paid the penalty for our transgressions. But the purpose of His sacrifice and the grace we are under now was never intended to eliminate our obedience to His commandments.
We have an even better covenant now because we are given unmerited grace as we learn how to obey them, just as the One who He sent us taught us and walked it out perfectly.
The torah is our teacher, and it ultimately points to our Messiah.
This is what He taught His disciples, and then He said “follow me.”
With love,
Stephanie