Exegetical Meaning

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle) | Etymology: from a primary (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); | KJV: law

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Exegetical Meaning

The Hebrew word *tôwrâh* refers to God's teaching or instruction, often translated as "law" in English. At its heart, it carries the sense of direction and guidance—the way God shows His people how to live. Rather than a cold set of rules, *tôwrâh* describes God's loving instruction for how we can flourish and honor Him through our choices and relationships. In Scripture, *tôwrâh* is used in several interconnected ways. Most specifically, it refers to the Ten Commandments—God's foundational moral and spiritual guidelines given at Mount Sinai. More broadly, it encompasses the entire first five books of the Bible (Genesis through Deuteronomy), which contain not just rules but also stories of God's faithfulness, covenants, and the reasons behind His commands. The word also appears in the Psalms and wisdom literature to describe individual precepts or statutes—particular teachings about how to conduct oneself. What makes *tôwrâh* distinctive is that it's never presented as arbitrary or burdensome, but as a gift reflecting God's character and care. When the Psalmist says "I delight in your law" (Psalm 119:35), he's expressing joy in receiving God's wise guidance. The word carries both the formal sense of a binding statute and the relational sense of a teacher's instruction—reminding us that following God's ways is fundamentally about relationship, not mere compliance.

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