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TAMMUZ 8

What Words?

“And these Words …”  (Deu 6:6)

Hmmm … what ‘Words’? The Hebrew word that is translated here is the word dâbâr (Strong’s H1697), and means a word, speech, an utterance, a command, a matter, or a thing. The phrase “the Word of God” (dâbâr) is one that is often found throughout the Tanakh, the Old Testament (see Pro 30:5). However, knowing that context is very important, let us go back to the beginning of the book of Deuteronomy, for further understanding.

The Hebrew word for Deuteronomy is Devarim, and literally means ‘words.’  The Sages refer to this book as Mishneh Torah, or the Repetition and Review of the Torah. Much of Deuteronomy is a repeat, including what we refer to as the Ten Commandments (also known as the Ten Words), found in chapter 5. In Deu 1:5, it states that “Moses began to explain this law” (Torah), which is what the entire book is about. So, whose ‘words’ are we referring to? And again, we will let Torah explain itself:

“The day that you stood before Adonai your God in Horeb, Adonai said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me and I WILL MAKE THEM HEAR MY WORDS, so that they learn to fear Me all the days that they live on the earth, and so that they teach their children.’”  (Deu 4:10 TLV, emphasis mine)

It would be safe to surmise that in the book of Deuteronomy, Moses amplifies and expounds the original ‘Words’ that our Father spoke at Mount Sinai, 40 years previously. Remember, all the original generation of ex-slaves had died; the audience that Moses was now addressing was the new, younger generation. Understanding that he would not be allowed to accompany this new generation in their conquest and settlement of the Promised Land, Moses was emphasizing to them the importance of these ‘Words.’

The same is true for us. As we daily recite the ‘Words’ of the Sh’ma, we must never forget whose ‘Words’ they are, and honor them that much more. May we never forget the personal letter our Creator has written to us …

“My son, do not forget my Torah, And let your heart watch over my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they add to you. Let not kindness and truth forsake you – Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, Thus finding favour and good insight In the eyes of Elohim and man.” (Pro 3:1-4)

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