First Letter – What is Torah?
Dear Jake,
What is Torah you ask?
Torah is perhaps the most misunderstood word in the Bible. The reason – our English Bibles universally translate Torah as “Law.”
The idea that Torah is law dates back three hundred years before Jesus to a group of Hebrew Rabbis. This group took on the difficult task of translating the Hebrew Scriptures into the Greek language. The result of their work is the “Septuagint,” the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible. In the Septuagint they translated the Hebrew word Torah as the Greek word “Nomos.”
Nomos was a good choice because it expresses the sense of a living network of traditions and customs of a people associated with the Hebrew word Torah. Nomos can mean a pasture or a feeding place; an inheritance; a district or a province; a law or ordinance.
Hundreds of years after the introduction of the Septuagint the “Latin Vulgate” translated Torah and Nomos as “Lex.” Lex is Latin for pertaining to the law, legal.
A couple of hundred years after the Latin Vulgate the King James Bible followed the Vulgate’s lead and translated Torah and Nomos as “Law.”
And here is the problem, by translating Torah as Law the meaning of the Hebrew word Torah is lost!
When Paul used the Greek word Nomos in his letters he meant Torah in the same sense that the word meant to him in his world at that time. Paul trained in Jerusalem under Rabbi Gamaliel. He was taught in the school of the Pharisees and understood Torah from a Hebrew perspective. So when Paul wrote the word Nomos he was thinking Torah and not law. Torah was Paul’s passion and the guide for his way of living from day to day.
Paul, as a trained Pharisee, spent hours and hours studying the Bible. After his encounter with Jesus on the way to Damascus Paul felt the calling of God to share the message of the Gospel with other believers in Jesus. The Gospel of Paul is the Gospel of the Bible and comes from Paul’s study of Scripture. Paul’s letters to the believers in the New Testament explain how he understood the Bible. The New Testament believers who received those letters were fortunate, because if the had a question they could write Paul and ask him to further explain what he meant.
Since Paul is no longer with us and we can not ask him for further explanation we must turn to the Bible to understand what Paul meant. Therefore to understand Paul’s concept of Torah we must learn the Biblical concept or definition of Torah.
Paul gives a principle in 1 Corinthians 2:13 that allows us to do just that when he says, “Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.”
The principle of understanding or defining the meaning of Scripture by Scripture is expressed in the words “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” It simply means that one part of Scripture is explained by another.
A simple way to exercise the principle of comparing Scripture to Scripture is to use a concordance to find all the places where the Hebrew word Torah is found.
Young's Analytical Concordance of the Bible lists the Hebrew word Torah 217 times in the Old Testament. Of those 217 times Torah is translated law 216 times, and once as manner.[1] Young’s defines Torah as instruction or direction.
Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible also lists the Greek word Nomos 195 times in the New Testament. All 195 times Nomos is translated law. Young’s defines Nomos as law, ordinance, or custom.
Listen to what a few verses of Scripture say about Torah.
· Torah is Truth
o Psalms 119:142 “142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your Torah is truth.”
· Torah is a light – a way to life
o Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp, and the Torah is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,”
· Torah is a fountain of life
o Proverbs 13:14 “The Torah of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.”
· Torah is Liberty – Freedom
o James 1:25 “But he who looks into the perfect Torah, the Torah of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.”
· The Word of the Lord is Torah
o Isaiah 1:10 “Hear the word of Yahweh, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the Torah of our God, you people of Gomorrah!”
o Isaiah 2:3 “Many peoples shall go and say, "Come, let's go up to the mountain of Yahweh, To the house of the God of Jacob; And he will teach us of his ways, And we will walk in his paths.For out of Zion the Torah shall go forth, And the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem.”
· Torah is Holy, Righteous, and Good
o Romans 7:12 “Therefore the Torah indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.”
· Torah is a shadow of good things to come
o Hebrews 10:1 “For the Torah, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near.”
· Torah is sound instruction
o Proverbs 4:2 “For I give you sound learning (instruction). Don't forsake my Torah.”
· To walk in Torah is to Walk in The Spirit
o Ezekiel 36:27 “I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my ordinances, and do them.”
· Torah is a delight, a provision for merciful kindness
o Psalms 119:75-77 “Yahweh, I know that Your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76 Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to your servant. 77 Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your Torah is my delight.”
· Torah is His ways, His statutes, His Commandments, His Judgments, His testimony
· 1 Kings 2:3 “and keep the charge of Yahweh your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to that which is written in the Torah of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do, and wherever you turn yourself.”
§ John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
§ 1 John 2:3-6 “This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. 4 One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him. 5 But whoever keeps his word (Torah), God's love has most assuredly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him: 6 he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.”
§ John 15:10 “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love.”
· Torah is understanding, good doctrine, teaching, His Words, His Commands, wisdom, instruction, and life
o Proverbs 4:1-13 “Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; 2 For I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my Torah. 3 For I was a son to my father, Tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. 4 He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth. 6 Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. 7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. 8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her. 9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you." 10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. 11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. 12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.”
· Torah is a tree of life
o Proverbs 3:1-2 “My son, don't forget my Torah; but let your heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you.”
o Proverbs 3:13-18 “Happy is the man who finds wisdom (Torah), the man who gets understanding (Torah). 14 For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.”
o Proverbs 3:13-18 “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom (Torah), And the man who gains understanding (Torah); 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.” 19 The Lord by wisdom (Torah) founded the earth; By understanding (Torah) He established the heavens; 20 By His knowledge (Torah) the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew.
o Proverbs 3:21-24 “My son, let them (Wisdom, Understanding – Torah) not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 So they will be life to your soul, And grace for your neck. 23 Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.”
Jake, this short list of verses alone illustrates that Torah is not Law. It is so much more!
It is light, life, freedom, truth, instruction, wisdom, knowledge and on and on.
But let’s not stop here; let’s look at another principle found in Proverbs 25:2.
“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”
The Hebrew word for a concealed thing in this verse is “debar.” Debar means a matter or thing that is spoken. God has concealed things, spoken matters, words, in the Scripture, and it should be our delight or honor, as Kings and Priests in the kingdom of God to search them out.
Deuteronomy 29:29 adds:
“The secret things belong to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this Torah.”
The principle revealed in this passage is that the hidden or secret things, that is the words or spoken things, belong to God. Those things are revealed to His children, those in Christ, that they may obey the Torah. How are they revealed? God reveals the hidden things to us as we search the Scriptures.
Using this principle let’s dig a little deeper and look at the Hebrew word Torah.
Hebrew is a unique language. Unlike English where the letters are merely symbols, in Hebrew the letters are pictures with definitions and meanings.
The Hebrew word Torah is spelled in Hebrew – Tav, Vav, Resh, Hey.
o Tav is the symbol of a cross and means sign, mark, or covenant.
o Vav means nail.
o Resh means head or man.
o Hey means to reveal, see, or what comes from.
Dr. Frank Seekins in his delightful book entitled “Hebrew Word Pictures” assembles the meanings of the Hebrew letters for Torah as – “What comes from the Man nailed to the cross.” Torah, therefore, according to the literal Hebrew points to our Messiah, Jesus being nailed to the cross.
The Hebrew word Torah comes from the word yara and is spelled in Hebrew – Yod, Resh, Hey.
o Yod is the picture of a hand that is shaped to work, thus means hand or work.
o Resh means head or man.
o Hey means to reveal, see, or what comes from.
By assembling the meanings of the letters for yara and we see – “What the head or man must do to see.” Meaning: Torah is gaining wisdom, insight, light, instruction, and direction.
Based upon this short study we have found that Torah is:
Truth
Light
A Way to Life
A Fountain of Life
Liberty
Freedom
The Word of the Lord
Holy
Just
Good
A Shadow of Good Things to Come
Good Doctrine
A Delight
A Provision for Merciful Kindness
His Ways
His Statutes
His Commandments
His Judgments
His Testimony
A Tree of Life
Wisdom
Understanding
Knowledge
Teaching
His Words
Instruction
Life
To walk in Torah, therefore is to walk in the Spirit.[2]
So, Jake, I hope you can see that the word Torah means much more than the Latin translation “lex” or the English translation “law”, and that “law” is a terrible translation of the Hebrew word Torah.
May the Lord give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, and may the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.[3]
Blessings,
Eli
[1] 2nd Samuel 7:19
[2] Ezekiel 36:27
[3] Eph 1:15-21
Dear Jake,
What is Torah you ask?
Torah is perhaps the most misunderstood word in the Bible. The reason – our English Bibles universally translate Torah as “Law.”
The idea that Torah is law dates back three hundred years before Jesus to a group of Hebrew Rabbis. This group took on the difficult task of translating the Hebrew Scriptures into the Greek language. The result of their work is the “Septuagint,” the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible. In the Septuagint they translated the Hebrew word Torah as the Greek word “Nomos.”
Nomos was a good choice because it expresses the sense of a living network of traditions and customs of a people associated with the Hebrew word Torah. Nomos can mean a pasture or a feeding place; an inheritance; a district or a province; a law or ordinance.
Hundreds of years after the introduction of the Septuagint the “Latin Vulgate” translated Torah and Nomos as “Lex.” Lex is Latin for pertaining to the law, legal.
A couple of hundred years after the Latin Vulgate the King James Bible followed the Vulgate’s lead and translated Torah and Nomos as “Law.”
And here is the problem, by translating Torah as Law the meaning of the Hebrew word Torah is lost!
When Paul used the Greek word Nomos in his letters he meant Torah in the same sense that the word meant to him in his world at that time. Paul trained in Jerusalem under Rabbi Gamaliel. He was taught in the school of the Pharisees and understood Torah from a Hebrew perspective. So when Paul wrote the word Nomos he was thinking Torah and not law. Torah was Paul’s passion and the guide for his way of living from day to day.
Paul, as a trained Pharisee, spent hours and hours studying the Bible. After his encounter with Jesus on the way to Damascus Paul felt the calling of God to share the message of the Gospel with other believers in Jesus. The Gospel of Paul is the Gospel of the Bible and comes from Paul’s study of Scripture. Paul’s letters to the believers in the New Testament explain how he understood the Bible. The New Testament believers who received those letters were fortunate, because if the had a question they could write Paul and ask him to further explain what he meant.
Since Paul is no longer with us and we can not ask him for further explanation we must turn to the Bible to understand what Paul meant. Therefore to understand Paul’s concept of Torah we must learn the Biblical concept or definition of Torah.
Paul gives a principle in 1 Corinthians 2:13 that allows us to do just that when he says, “Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.”
The principle of understanding or defining the meaning of Scripture by Scripture is expressed in the words “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” It simply means that one part of Scripture is explained by another.
A simple way to exercise the principle of comparing Scripture to Scripture is to use a concordance to find all the places where the Hebrew word Torah is found.
Young's Analytical Concordance of the Bible lists the Hebrew word Torah 217 times in the Old Testament. Of those 217 times Torah is translated law 216 times, and once as manner.[1] Young’s defines Torah as instruction or direction.
Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible also lists the Greek word Nomos 195 times in the New Testament. All 195 times Nomos is translated law. Young’s defines Nomos as law, ordinance, or custom.
Listen to what a few verses of Scripture say about Torah.
· Torah is Truth
o Psalms 119:142 “142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your Torah is truth.”
· Torah is a light – a way to life
o Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp, and the Torah is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,”
· Torah is a fountain of life
o Proverbs 13:14 “The Torah of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.”
· Torah is Liberty – Freedom
o James 1:25 “But he who looks into the perfect Torah, the Torah of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.”
· The Word of the Lord is Torah
o Isaiah 1:10 “Hear the word of Yahweh, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the Torah of our God, you people of Gomorrah!”
o Isaiah 2:3 “Many peoples shall go and say, "Come, let's go up to the mountain of Yahweh, To the house of the God of Jacob; And he will teach us of his ways, And we will walk in his paths.For out of Zion the Torah shall go forth, And the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem.”
· Torah is Holy, Righteous, and Good
o Romans 7:12 “Therefore the Torah indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.”
· Torah is a shadow of good things to come
o Hebrews 10:1 “For the Torah, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near.”
· Torah is sound instruction
o Proverbs 4:2 “For I give you sound learning (instruction). Don't forsake my Torah.”
· To walk in Torah is to Walk in The Spirit
o Ezekiel 36:27 “I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my ordinances, and do them.”
· Torah is a delight, a provision for merciful kindness
o Psalms 119:75-77 “Yahweh, I know that Your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76 Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to your servant. 77 Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your Torah is my delight.”
· Torah is His ways, His statutes, His Commandments, His Judgments, His testimony
· 1 Kings 2:3 “and keep the charge of Yahweh your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to that which is written in the Torah of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do, and wherever you turn yourself.”
§ John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
§ 1 John 2:3-6 “This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. 4 One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him. 5 But whoever keeps his word (Torah), God's love has most assuredly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him: 6 he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.”
§ John 15:10 “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love.”
· Torah is understanding, good doctrine, teaching, His Words, His Commands, wisdom, instruction, and life
o Proverbs 4:1-13 “Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; 2 For I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my Torah. 3 For I was a son to my father, Tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. 4 He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth. 6 Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. 7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. 8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her. 9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you." 10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. 11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. 12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.”
· Torah is a tree of life
o Proverbs 3:1-2 “My son, don't forget my Torah; but let your heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you.”
o Proverbs 3:13-18 “Happy is the man who finds wisdom (Torah), the man who gets understanding (Torah). 14 For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.”
o Proverbs 3:13-18 “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom (Torah), And the man who gains understanding (Torah); 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.” 19 The Lord by wisdom (Torah) founded the earth; By understanding (Torah) He established the heavens; 20 By His knowledge (Torah) the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew.
o Proverbs 3:21-24 “My son, let them (Wisdom, Understanding – Torah) not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 So they will be life to your soul, And grace for your neck. 23 Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.”
Jake, this short list of verses alone illustrates that Torah is not Law. It is so much more!
It is light, life, freedom, truth, instruction, wisdom, knowledge and on and on.
But let’s not stop here; let’s look at another principle found in Proverbs 25:2.
“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”
The Hebrew word for a concealed thing in this verse is “debar.” Debar means a matter or thing that is spoken. God has concealed things, spoken matters, words, in the Scripture, and it should be our delight or honor, as Kings and Priests in the kingdom of God to search them out.
Deuteronomy 29:29 adds:
“The secret things belong to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this Torah.”
The principle revealed in this passage is that the hidden or secret things, that is the words or spoken things, belong to God. Those things are revealed to His children, those in Christ, that they may obey the Torah. How are they revealed? God reveals the hidden things to us as we search the Scriptures.
Using this principle let’s dig a little deeper and look at the Hebrew word Torah.
Hebrew is a unique language. Unlike English where the letters are merely symbols, in Hebrew the letters are pictures with definitions and meanings.
The Hebrew word Torah is spelled in Hebrew – Tav, Vav, Resh, Hey.
o Tav is the symbol of a cross and means sign, mark, or covenant.
o Vav means nail.
o Resh means head or man.
o Hey means to reveal, see, or what comes from.
Dr. Frank Seekins in his delightful book entitled “Hebrew Word Pictures” assembles the meanings of the Hebrew letters for Torah as – “What comes from the Man nailed to the cross.” Torah, therefore, according to the literal Hebrew points to our Messiah, Jesus being nailed to the cross.
The Hebrew word Torah comes from the word yara and is spelled in Hebrew – Yod, Resh, Hey.
o Yod is the picture of a hand that is shaped to work, thus means hand or work.
o Resh means head or man.
o Hey means to reveal, see, or what comes from.
By assembling the meanings of the letters for yara and we see – “What the head or man must do to see.” Meaning: Torah is gaining wisdom, insight, light, instruction, and direction.
Based upon this short study we have found that Torah is:
Truth
Light
A Way to Life
A Fountain of Life
Liberty
Freedom
The Word of the Lord
Holy
Just
Good
A Shadow of Good Things to Come
Good Doctrine
A Delight
A Provision for Merciful Kindness
His Ways
His Statutes
His Commandments
His Judgments
His Testimony
A Tree of Life
Wisdom
Understanding
Knowledge
Teaching
His Words
Instruction
Life
To walk in Torah, therefore is to walk in the Spirit.[2]
So, Jake, I hope you can see that the word Torah means much more than the Latin translation “lex” or the English translation “law”, and that “law” is a terrible translation of the Hebrew word Torah.
May the Lord give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, and may the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.[3]
Blessings,
Eli
[1] 2nd Samuel 7:19
[2] Ezekiel 36:27
[3] Eph 1:15-21