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Word Studies

Hebrew Words

mitsvah -- H4687

Original: מִצְוָה Transliteration: mitsvah Pronunciation: mits-vaw Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From H6680; a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law): commandment, law, ordinance, precept. BLB Count: 181 occurrences

Translations (190 total occurrences in KJV)

  • "the commandments" (27x, 14.2%)
  • "his commandments" (24x, 12.6%)
  • "my commandments" (23x, 12.1%)
  • "thy commandments" (20x, 10.5%)
  • "the commandment" (14x, 7.4%)
  • "commandment" (10x, 5.3%)
  • "commandments" (7x, 3.7%)
  • Other variants (65x, remaining)

Key Observations

  • This is the word used in "ten commandments" (aseret hamitsvoth) though the more precise Hebrew name for the Decalogue uses H1697 dabar ("ten words").
  • Used for both divine and human commands.
  • Key Decalogue-related references: Gen 26:5; Exo 15:26; 16:28; 20:6; 24:12; Deu 4:2; 4:40; 5:28; 6:1,2,17,25; 8:1,2,11; 10:13; 11:1,13; Psa 19:9; 119 (multiple).

dabar -- H1697

Original: דָּבָר Transliteration: dabar Pronunciation: daw-baw Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: From H1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause. Translated as: act, advice, affair, answer, book, business, care, case, cause, commandment, decree, deed, matter, message, oracle, thing, tidings, word, work. BLB Count: 1,504 occurrences

Translations (1,504 total in KJV)

  • "the word" (204x, 13.6%)
  • "the words" (140x, 9.3%)
  • "thing" (113x, 7.5%)
  • "words" (96x, 6.4%)
  • "word" (49x, 3.3%)
  • "the thing" (44x, 2.9%)
  • Many other translations (858x, remaining)

Key Observations

  • This is THE Hebrew name for the Decalogue: "ten words" (aseret haddebarim, Deu 4:13; Exo 34:28).
  • "Decalogue" comes from Greek deka logoi (ten words), which translates this Hebrew phrase.
  • The word encompasses both speech ("word") and deed/event ("thing/matter"), capturing that God's words are themselves events/realities.
  • Key Decalogue references: Exo 19:6,7,8; 24:3,4,8; 34:1,27,28; Deu 4:2,10,13,36; 5:19; 9:10; 10:2,4.

berith -- H1285

Original: בְּרִית Transliteration: berith Pronunciation: ber-eeth Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From H1262 (in the sense of cutting); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh): confederacy, confederate, covenant, league. BLB Count: 284 occurrences (317 total in KJV)

Translations (317 total in KJV)

  • "of the covenant" (60x, 18.9%)
  • "my covenant" (45x, 14.2%)
  • "covenant" (40x, 12.6%)
  • "a covenant" (40x, 12.6%)
  • "the covenant" (27x, 8.5%)
  • "his covenant" (14x, 4.4%)
  • Other variants (91x, remaining)

Key Observations

  • The Decalogue IS the covenant: "He declared unto you his covenant (berith), which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments" (Deu 4:13).
  • "Words of the covenant, the ten commandments" (Exo 34:28).
  • "Tables of the covenant" (Deu 9:9,11).
  • The "new covenant" (Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:8-13) uses the same term, with the content ("my law") written on hearts instead of stone.
  • Key references: Gen 6:18; 9:9-17; 15:18; 17:2-21; Exo 2:24; 19:5; 24:7,8; 31:16; 34:10,27,28; Deu 4:13,23,31; 5:2,3; 9:9,11,15; 29:1; Jer 31:31-34.

eduth -- H5715

Original: עֵדוּת Transliteration: eduth Pronunciation: ay-dooth Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: Feminine of H5707; testimony, witness. BLB Count: 59 occurrences (66 total in KJV)

Translations (66 total in KJV)

  • "of the testimony" (15x, 22.7%)
  • "the testimony" (13x, 19.7%)
  • "of testimony" (8x, 12.1%)
  • "thy testimonies" (3x, 4.5%)
  • "of witness" (4x, 6.1%)
  • Other variants (23x, remaining)

Key Observations

  • This is the naming convention for the Decalogue tablets: "tables of testimony" (Exo 31:18; 34:29; 40:20).
  • The ark containing the tablets is called "the ark of the testimony" (Exo 25:22; 30:6; 26:33,34).
  • The tabernacle itself is called "the tabernacle of testimony" (Exo 38:21; Num 1:50,53).
  • The Decalogue as "testimony" functions as God's witness -- His own character testifying about what is right.
  • In Psalm 19:7, the word appears: "the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."
  • Key references: Exo 16:34; 25:16,21,22; 26:33,34; 27:21; 30:6,26,36; 31:7,18; 32:15; 34:29; 38:21; 39:35; 40:3,5,20,21; Psa 19:8; 78:5; 81:6; 119:14,31,36,88,99,111,129,144,157; 122:4.

etsba -- H676

Original: אֶצְבַּע Transliteration: etsba Pronunciation: ets-bah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From the same as H6648 (in the sense of grasping); something to seize with, i.e. a finger; by analogy, a toe. BLB Count: 32 occurrences (34 total in KJV)

Translations (34 total in KJV)

  • "with his finger" (9x, 26.5%)
  • "his finger" (3x, 8.8%)
  • "finger" (2x, 5.9%)
  • "fingers" (2x, 5.9%)
  • Other variants (17x, remaining)

Key Observations

  • Used for the unique authorship of the Decalogue: "written with the finger of God" (Exo 31:18; Deu 9:10).
  • Also used in Exodus 8:15/8:19 where the Egyptian magicians recognize God's power: "This is the finger of God."
  • The NT parallel (Luke 11:20) -- Jesus says "if I with the finger of God cast out devils" -- uses the same imagery (G1147 daktylos).
  • The phrase "finger of God" appears to signify direct, personal, divine action without intermediary.
  • Key Decalogue references: Exo 8:15(19); 31:18; Deu 9:10.

torah -- H8451

Original: תּוֹרָה Transliteration: torah Pronunciation: to-raw Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From H3384; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch: law. BLB Count: 219 occurrences (244 total in KJV)

Translations (244 total in KJV)

  • "the law" (60x, 24.6%)
  • "of the law" (28x, 11.5%)
  • "law" (24x, 9.8%)
  • "thy law" (20x, 8.2%)
  • "in the law" (19x, 7.8%)
  • "my law" (10x, 4.1%)
  • Other variants (83x, remaining)

Key Observations

  • The lexicon definition explicitly states "especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch."
  • "My law" (torati) in Jer 31:33 -- "I will put my law (torati) in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts" -- uses this word. The new covenant writes torah on hearts.
  • In Hos 8:12: "I have written to him the great things of my law (torati)" -- uses the same possessive form.
  • Psalm 19:7: "The law (torah) of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul."
  • In Exo 24:12, God says He will give Moses "tables of stone, and a law (torah), and commandments which I have written."
  • Key references: Gen 26:5; Exo 12:49; 13:9; 16:4,28; 18:16,20; 24:12; Deu 1:5; 4:8,44; 17:11,18,19; 27:3,8,26; 28:58,61; 31:9,11,12,24,26; 33:4,10; Psa 1:2; 19:8; 37:31; 40:9; 78:1,5,10; 119 (multiple); Jer 31:33; Hos 8:12.

kathab -- H3789

Original: כָּתַב Transliteration: kathab Pronunciation: kaw-thab Part of Speech: verb Definition: A primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe): describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten). BLB Count: 223 occurrences (248 total in KJV)

Translations (248 total in KJV)

  • "written" (89x, 35.9%)
  • "wrote" (14x, 5.6%)
  • "and write" (8x, 3.2%)
  • "Write" (5x, 2.0%)
  • "And he wrote" (5x, 2.0%)
  • Other variants (127x, remaining)

Key Observations

  • This verb connects the stone-writing and the heart-writing. God "wrote" (kathab) on the tables (Exo 24:12; 31:18; 34:1; Deu 9:10; 10:4), and in Jer 31:33, God will "write" (kathab) His law on hearts.
  • The same verb used for both acts creates a direct textual link between the Decalogue on stone and the new covenant promise.
  • Moses also "wrote" (kathab) -- but the book of the law, not the tablets: Exo 24:4; 34:27; Deu 31:9,24.
  • Key references: Exo 24:4,12; 31:18; 32:15,32; 34:1,27; Deu 6:9; 9:10; 10:4; 11:20; 17:18; 31:9,24; Jer 31:33; Hos 8:12.

Greek Words

plax -- G4109

Original: πλάξ Transliteration: plax Pronunciation: plax Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From G4111; a moulding-board, i.e. flat surface ("plate", or tablet). BLB Count: 3 occurrences

Translations (3 total in KJV)

  • "tables" (3x, 100%)

Key Observations

  • Appears only in 2 Corinthians 3:3 and Hebrews 9:4.
  • 2 Cor 3:3: "not in tables (plax) of stone, but in fleshy tables (plax) of the heart" -- explicitly connects the Decalogue tablets with the new covenant heart-writing.
  • Heb 9:4: "the ark of the covenant...wherein was...the tables (plax) of the covenant" -- identifies the ark contents.
  • The extreme rarity (3 uses) and the fact that both NT uses reference the Decalogue tablets makes this a highly specific term.

nomos -- G3551

Original: νόμος Transliteration: nomos Pronunciation: nom-os Part of Speech: masculine noun Definition: From G3500 (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law. BLB Count: 197 occurrences (169 total in KJV)

Translations (169 total in KJV)

  • "law" (95x, 56.2%)
  • "the law" (49x, 29.0%)
  • "of the law" (14x, 8.3%)
  • Other variants (11x, remaining)

Key Observations

  • The primary Greek word for "law," used for both the Decalogue and broader Mosaic legislation.
  • Context determines the referent. In Rom 7:7-14, Paul identifies the specific law as the Decalogue by quoting "Thou shalt not covet" (10th commandment).
  • Rom 7:12: "the law (nomos) is holy" -- Rom 7:14: "the law (nomos) is spiritual."
  • Rom 13:8-10: Paul quotes Decalogue commandments as the content of nomos that love fulfills.
  • Jas 1:25: "the perfect law (nomos) of liberty"; Jas 2:8: "the royal law (nomos)"; Jas 2:10-12: identifies it by quoting 6th and 7th commandments.
  • Mat 22:36-40: "the great commandment in the law (nomos)."
  • Key references: Mat 5:17,18; 22:36,40; Luk 10:26; 16:17; Rom 2:12-27; 3:19-31; 7:1-25; 8:2-7; 13:8-10; 1 Cor 9:8,9; Gal 2:19-21; 3:13-24; 5:14,18,23; Eph 2:15; Heb 7:5-28; 8:10; 10:1,16,28; Jas 1:25; 2:8-12.

entole -- G1785

Original: ἐντολή Transliteration: entole Pronunciation: en-tol-ay Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From G1781; injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription: commandment, precept. BLB Count: 71 occurrences (43 total in KJV)

Translations (43 total in KJV)

  • "commandment" (23x, 53.5%)
  • "commandments" (12x, 27.9%)
  • "precept" (2x, 4.7%)
  • "a commandment" (2x, 4.7%)
  • Other variants (4x, remaining)

Key Observations

  • This is the word used in Revelation for "the commandments of God" -- Rev 12:17; 14:12; 22:14.
  • Used by Paul in Rom 7:8-13 to identify individual Decalogue commands: "the commandment (entole) holy, and just, and good" (7:12).
  • Used by Jesus: Mat 22:36,38,40 ("the great commandment"); Mat 19:17 ("keep the commandments").
  • Eph 6:2: "Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment (entole) with promise."
  • 1 John uses it extensively: 1Jn 2:3,7; 3:22-24; 4:21; 5:2,3 -- "this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments (entolas)."
  • Key references: Mat 15:3,6; 19:17; 22:36,38,40; Mrk 7:8; 10:5,19; 12:28; Luk 1:6; 15:29; 18:20; Jhn 13:34; 14:15,21,31; 15:10,12; Rom 7:8-13; 13:9; 1 Cor 7:19; Eph 2:15; 6:2; Heb 7:5,16,18; 9:19; 1 Jhn 2:3,7; 3:22-24; 4:21; 5:2,3; Rev 12:17; 14:12; 22:14.

dogma -- G1378

Original: δόγμα Transliteration: dogma Pronunciation: dog-mah Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: From G1380; a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical): decree, ordinance. BLB Count: 5 occurrences

Translations (5 total in KJV)

  • "decrees" (2x, 40%)
  • "a decree" (1x, 20%)
  • "ordinances" (1x, 20%)
  • "of ordinances" (1x, 20%)

Key Observations

  • NEVER used for the Decalogue. This is the critical vocabulary distinction.
  • Used in Eph 2:15: "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances (dogma)" -- ceremonial laws.
  • Used in Col 2:14: "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances (dogma) that was against us."
  • Used in Luk 2:1: Caesar's "decree" (dogma); Act 16:4: apostolic "decrees" (dogma); Act 17:7: Caesar's "decrees" (dogma).
  • The NT consistently uses dogma for civil decrees and ceremonial ordinances, while using entole for commandments (including the Decalogue). This vocabulary distinction is maintained throughout the NT.
  • Key references: Luk 2:1; Act 16:4; 17:7; Eph 2:15; Col 2:14.

martyrion -- G3142

Original: μαρτύριον Transliteration: martyrion Pronunciation: mar-too-ree-on Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: From G3144; something evidential, i.e. (genitive case) evidence given or (specifically) the Decalogue. BLB Count: 20 occurrences (19 total in KJV)

Translations (19 total in KJV)

  • "a testimony" (9x, 47.4%)
  • "testimony" (5x, 26.3%)
  • "a witness" (1x, 5.3%)
  • "witness" (1x, 5.3%)
  • Other variants (3x, remaining)

Key Observations

  • The Greek equivalent of Hebrew eduth (H5715).
  • Acts 7:44: "the tabernacle of witness (martyrion)" -- Stephen uses this term for the Sinai tabernacle.
  • Heb 3:5: "Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony (martyrion) of those things which were to be spoken after."
  • Rev 15:5: "the tabernacle of the testimony (martyrion) in heaven was opened" -- connects to Rev 11:19 where the ark is seen.
  • The definition itself states "specifically the Decalogue" -- the lexicon recognizes that martyrion, like eduth, has the Decalogue tablets as a primary referent.
  • Key references: Mat 8:4; 10:18; 24:14; Mrk 1:44; 6:11; 13:9; Luk 5:14; 9:5; 21:13; Act 4:33; 7:44; 1 Cor 1:6; 2:1; 2 Cor 1:12; 2 Th 1:10; 1 Tim 2:6; 2 Tim 1:8; Heb 3:5; Jas 5:3; Rev 15:5.

Summary of Word Study Findings

Hebrew-Greek Equivalences

Hebrew Greek English Significance
H4687 mitsvah G1785 entole commandment Used for individual Decalogue commands
H1697 dabar G3056 logos word "Ten words" -- the Hebrew name for the Decalogue
H1285 berith G1242 diatheke covenant The Decalogue IS the covenant (Deu 4:13)
H5715 eduth G3142 martyrion testimony "Tables of testimony" -- the Decalogue as God's witness
H8451 torah G3551 nomos law Broad term; in Jer 31:33 = "my law" written on hearts
H676 etsba G1147 daktylos finger "Written with the finger of God"
H3789 kathab G1125 grapho to write Connects stone-writing with heart-writing

Key Vocabulary Distinction: entole vs. dogma

  • G1785 entole (commandment) -- used for the Decalogue and moral commands
  • G1378 dogma (decree/ordinance) -- used for ceremonial ordinances and civil decrees
  • The NT NEVER applies dogma to the Decalogue
  • What was "abolished" (Eph 2:15) and "blotted out" (Col 2:14) uses dogma
  • What the end-time saints "keep" (Rev 12:17; 14:12; 22:14) uses entole