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Eight Words for Law |
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Hebrew law served as the personal and national guide for living under God’s authority. It directed the moral, spiritual, and social life. Its purpose was to produce better understanding of God and greater commitment to him. |
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Word |
Meaning |
Examples |
Significance |
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Torah |
Direction, Guidance, Instruction |
Need for law in general; a command from a higher person to a lower |
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Mitswah |
Commandment, Command |
God's specific instruction to be obeyed rather than a general law; used of the Ten Commandments |
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Mishpat |
Regulations, Judgment, Ordinance |
Refers to the civil, social, and sanitation laws |
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Eduth |
Testimony, Truth |
Refers to God's law as he deals with his people |
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Huqqim |
Statutes, Laws |
Dealt with the royal pronouncements; mainly connected to worship and feasts |
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Piqqudim |
Orders, Commandments |
Used often in the psalms to describe God's orders and assignments |
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Dabar |
Word, Terms |
Used to indicate divine oracles or revelations of God |
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Dath |
Royal Edict, Public Law |
Refers to a public law or Jewish religious tradition |
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