What is the difference between commandments, testimonies, statutes, precepts, judgements, and law?

Upvote:1

The differences between the words you mention, and perhaps others, is more a matter of muance than substance. As an example, in the US there are two sets of documents, the US Code, which is the laws passed by Congress, and the Code of Federal regulations, which are regulations published by regulatory agencies of the executive branch. In technical legal parlance in the US, "Statutes" refers to items from the USC, regulations to items from CFR. Both give guidance to what a person should do. And both are different from testimonies, which are statements given under oath, for example in court, in front of a committee of the House of Representatives, or Senate, or in front of a Federal Regulatory Agency.

As to the words in your list, they are all ways of referring to God's communication with his chosen people.

brasshat 5629

Upvote:1

I'd like to just give more clarity when it comes to the meaning of Judgments. We have to define judgments as being associated with a specific case or event which violated the universal/general Law(s) and/or Statute(s). In other words, judgments have to be viewed in the context of a specific case or event, and are caused by violation of the universal/general Law(s) and/or Statute(s).

The specific case or event of

1)-the Ancient Israelite nation's sin of Peor (Baal Worship at Peor) recorded in Numbers 25:1-13

a) caused God to get angry because the aforementioned specific event or case of Israel's idolatry violated the 1st commandment of the Law of 10 commandments(Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21)

b) which in turn led to Judgment as evidenced when The Lord told Moses to execute the leaders of the people

(Numbers 25:4-5)

4 The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them [b]in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.” 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you slay his men who have joined themselves to [c]Baal of Peor.”

Judgments are more granular and have a much more specific narrow context as opposed to the Law(s) and/or Statute(s) which relatively more universal and/or general.

Also, Judgments are caused by violation of the universal/general Law(s) and/or Statute(s).

user1338998 339

Upvote:2

I also am trying to understand these Biblical terms. I have not found an article at Chabad.org, which is my usual go-to in matters of Old Testament. From what I have found thus far:

I believe, "Law" is a given, authoritative command by G_d. It is obligatory for all: private citizen, groups and businesses and also all public figures, entities and institutions. The term can also refer to the controlling influence of G_d's Law, or the entire system or collective body of G_d's Law. I would include G_d-given Scripture, Torah, in this category.

"Statute" seems to be the obvious implication of the expressed Law of G_d. I think "Ordinance" is the obligatory explanation of the carrying out of the Law. Ordinances are binding in only those jurisdictions that they address (as for instance, the feasts. What applies to one feast may not necessarily apply to other days or other situations). They cannot violate the Law, but give direction in how to carry out the Law. I would probably include prophetic and probably Talmudic derived doctrine here. As previously stated, I am trying to learn, so may not be clear as of yet on these.

"Judgements" I think, refer to Godly, wise, appointed, men providing judgements about particular cases. Litigation concerning the commands of G_d, if you will. These decisions serve as president for later decisions about the fulfillment of G_d's Law. Rabbinic law tends to err on the side of caution and is a good example for this category. Although there are direct references to G_d himself giving judgements ( Ex21:1 for example).

If our goal is to keep the commands of G_d, and our desire is to not offend, these will not be grievous, but a help to us and welcomed as guidance, not regarded as unreasonable or intrusive. I don't know if I have a clear understanding yet, but this is the result of what I have been able to find for definitions thus far.

Julie 21

Upvote:2

Commandments

Derived from a verb signifying to command or ordain. Such as God’s command to Adam about the tree; to Noah about constructing the ark.

Law

This word is formed from a verb which means to direct, to guide, to aim, to shoot torwards. Its etymological meaning, then, would be a rule of conduct. It means God’s law in general, whether it be that universal rule called the law of nature, or that which was revealed to his Church by Moses, and perfected by Christ.

Way

It occurs but twice as a characteristic word, and the places in which it occurs must be considered a plain rule of conduct; in its higher sense, the assisting grace of God through Christ our Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Taken from John Jebb’s exposition in 1846.

Further, one might prescribe Proverbs 12:14, which indicates that any other way that differs leads only to death and hell. To wit: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Testimonies

Derived from a word which signifies to bear witness to testify. The ark of the tabernacle is so called as are the two tables of stone, and the tabernacle; the earnests and witnesses of God’s inhabitation among his people. Testimonies are more particularly God’s revealed law; the witnesses and confirmation of his promises made to his people, and earnests of his future salvation.

Precepts

From a word which means to place in trust, mean something entrusted to man, "that is committed to thee"; appointments of God, which consequently have to do with the conscience, for which man is responsible, as an intelligent being.

Judgments

Derived from a word signifying to govern, to judge or determine, mean judicial ordinances and decisions; legal sanctions.

Statutes

The verb from which this word is formed means to engrave or inscribe. The word means a definite, prescribed, written law—that moral law of God which is engraven on the fleshy tables of the heart; the in most and spiritual apprehension of his will: not so obvious as the law and testimonies, and a matter of more direct spiritual communication than his precepts; the latter being more elaborated by the efforts of the mind itself, divinely guided.

Word

There are two terms, quite distinct in the Hebrew, but both rendered "word." The latter of these is rendered "saying." They are closely connected: since out of twenty-two passages in which "word" occurs, in fourteen it is parallel to it, or in connection with, "saying". From this very circumstance it is evident they are not synonymous.

The term here rendered "word" seems the logos, or Word of God, in its most divine sense; the announcement of God’s revealed will; his command; his oracle; at times, the special communication to the prophets. The ten commandments are called by this term in Exodus. In this psalm it may be considered as, —

(1) God’s revealed commandments in general.

(2) As a revealed promise of certain blessings to the righteous.

(3) As a thing committed to him as the minister of God.

(4) As a rule of conduct; a channel of illumination.

From November 03, 2013 Sermon