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Meaning, origin and etymology of the name Torah


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Torah Torah

The Hebrew word for Law (Torah) is a derivation of the verb yara (yara 910), throw, cast or shoot. This verb is used when arrows are shot, stones are thrown or stacked and even when lots are cast. Other derivations of this same verb are yoreh (yoreh 910a), early rain, moreh (moreh 910b, c), which means both early rain and teacher. Basically, the verb and its nouns have to do with many little impulses that cause a larger and unified event, or serve to obtain a larger and unified objective.

The letter taw in front of a root has somewhat the same function as an integral-sign in front of an equation: it sums up the whole of different variations of the root. But when we do that with the root yara (yara 910) in order to create the word Torah (Torah), something that seems like a regular female form of the word tur emerges.
The verb tur (tur 2500), means to spy or search out. Derivations tor (tor 2500a) means a circle or plait, and tor (tor 2500c) means dove.
To anyone who is not familiar with these things, seeing a dove descend on someone (Mat 3:16) is cute at best. For someone who sees the linguistic connection between Law and dove, this is all quite a bit more profound.

Jesus summed up the Law by stating what the "larger and unified objective" of all God's instructions are: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind & You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
These words sum up the true purpose of man. If this purpose is obtained, sin is without effect and the Law is fulfilled.

See for a more in depth study of law, sin and forgiveness our article The Skinny on Sin - Romans 7



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