Primary Study
Grafted Bible Dictionary
Definition
Torah means instruction, teaching, or direction. Although frequently translated into English as "law," the Hebrew word carries a broader sense than legislation alone. Torah describes instruction given by an authority for the purpose of guiding life.
In Scripture, Torah may refer to an individual instruction, priestly teaching, God's revelation generally, or more specifically the covenantal instruction given through Moses.
The traditional designation the Torah refers particularly to Genesis through Deuteronomy.
In Scripture, Torah may refer to an individual instruction, priestly teaching, God's revelation generally, or more specifically the covenantal instruction given through Moses.
The traditional designation the Torah refers particularly to Genesis through Deuteronomy.
Torah Foundation
The Torah presents God's instructions within the framework of covenant rather than as an abstract legal code.
God first redeems Israel from Egypt and then gives Israel His commandments:
Moses.">Exodus 20:2 establishes the order:
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt..."
The commandments therefore follow redemption; they do not cause it.
Deuteronomy repeatedly portrays obedience as the appropriate covenant response of a people already belonging to God.
Key passages include:
• Exodus 19:3–6
• Exodus 20:1–17
• Deuteronomy 4:1–8
• Deuteronomy 6:1–9
• Deuteronomy 30:11–20
God first redeems Israel from Egypt and then gives Israel His commandments:
Moses.">Exodus 20:2 establishes the order:
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt..."
The commandments therefore follow redemption; they do not cause it.
Deuteronomy repeatedly portrays obedience as the appropriate covenant response of a people already belonging to God.
Key passages include:
• Exodus 19:3–6
• Exodus 20:1–17
• Deuteronomy 4:1–8
• Deuteronomy 6:1–9
• Deuteronomy 30:11–20
Tanakh Usage
The Psalms celebrate Torah as God's gracious instruction:
• Psalm 1:1–3
• Psalm 19:7–11
• Psalm 119
The prophets condemn Israel not because Torah was evil, but because Israel violated it.
Jeremiah even describes the New Covenant using Torah language:
Jeremiah 31:33
"I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts."
The Hebrew word translated "law" is Torah.
• Psalm 1:1–3
• Psalm 19:7–11
• Psalm 119
The prophets condemn Israel not because Torah was evil, but because Israel violated it.
Jeremiah even describes the New Covenant using Torah language:
Jeremiah 31:33
"I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts."
The Hebrew word translated "law" is Torah.
Yeshua and the Gospels
Yeshua describes His mission in relation to the Torah and Prophets:
• Matthew 5:17–20
• Matthew 7:12
• Matthew 22:36–40
Matthew 5:17 is particularly important. Yeshua says He did not come to abolish the Torah or Prophets, but to fulfill them.
Interpretations of "fulfill" differ. Some understand fulfillment primarily as bringing the Torah to its intended completion in Messiah. Others emphasize Yeshua's proper interpretation and embodiment of Torah.
These ideas need not be mutually exclusive.
• Matthew 5:17–20
• Matthew 7:12
• Matthew 22:36–40
Matthew 5:17 is particularly important. Yeshua says He did not come to abolish the Torah or Prophets, but to fulfill them.
Interpretations of "fulfill" differ. Some understand fulfillment primarily as bringing the Torah to its intended completion in Messiah. Others emphasize Yeshua's proper interpretation and embodiment of Torah.
These ideas need not be mutually exclusive.
Apostolic Writings
Yeshua whose mission focuses especially on proclaiming the gospel among Gentiles.">Paul strongly rejects Messiah.">justification through "works of law," yet also says:
• "the law is holy" — Romans 7:12
• "the law is spiritual" — Romans 7:14
• faith does not overthrow the law — Romans 3:31
• love fulfills the law — Romans 13:8–10
The central apostolic controversy was not whether God's instruction was evil, but how Torah relates to Messiah, justification, Israel, and Gentile believers.
• "the law is holy" — Romans 7:12
• "the law is spiritual" — Romans 7:14
• faith does not overthrow the law — Romans 3:31
• love fulfills the law — Romans 13:8–10
The central apostolic controversy was not whether God's instruction was evil, but how Torah relates to Messiah, justification, Israel, and Gentile believers.
Grafted Perspective
Romans 11 portrays Gentile believers as branches grafted into Israel's cultivated olive tree.
This creates an important interpretive question: believers from the nations should not approach Scripture as though Israel's biblical story were someone else's religious history.
The Torah forms the foundational vocabulary for covenant, holiness, sacrifice, sin, impurity, guilt, or covenant disruption is addressed so that reconciliation and restoration can occur.">atonement, Sabbath, festivals, priesthood, righteousness, Messiah, and redemption.
Understanding the Apostolic Writings therefore requires understanding Torah.
This creates an important interpretive question: believers from the nations should not approach Scripture as though Israel's biblical story were someone else's religious history.
The Torah forms the foundational vocabulary for covenant, holiness, sacrifice, sin, impurity, guilt, or covenant disruption is addressed so that reconciliation and restoration can occur.">atonement, Sabbath, festivals, priesthood, righteousness, Messiah, and redemption.
Understanding the Apostolic Writings therefore requires understanding Torah.
Common Misconception
Claim: Torah simply means "legalism."
Assessment: Torah is a Hebrew word meaning instruction or teaching. Legalism describes a misuse of law, particularly attempts to establish righteousness through human performance. The two concepts are not synonymous.
Assessment: Torah is a Hebrew word meaning instruction or teaching. Legalism describes a misuse of law, particularly attempts to establish righteousness through human performance. The two concepts are not synonymous.