The Torah, the first five books of the Bible, is the foundation of all that follows. And every word of the Bible is important. In Hebrew even the names of the books within the Bible are important. But they are different in our English Bible translations and as such we miss their significance. The translators, over the centuries, didn’t just take the original Hebrew names of these books and translate them, they changed the names to reflect what they thought was the subject of the book. This changed the cultural and linguistic understanding of these important writings. In the Hebrew Bible, the names of these books are derived from a word or phrase within the first verse. In Hebrew names are an important part of the culture and language. In the Bible, the meaning of names is part of the substance of the narrative which contains them. So let’s look at the Hebrew names of the first five books of the Bible and see what they mean.
Genesis
The book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible is called בראשית “Bresheet”, which means “in the beginning.” “In the beginning” would be a rather strange title in the English language and culture, as well as many other Western cultures, but it makes perfect sense in Hebrew.
#7225 in the Strong’s Dictionary. ראשית re'shiyth, ray-sheeth' from the same as #7218; the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit):--beginning, chief(-est), first(-fruits, part, time), principal thing.
By adding the letter beit (ב) to the beginning of the word, it ads the meaning “in” or “into,” hence it is translated as “in the beginning.”
Exodus
Exodus, is just that, the story of the Exodus. But the Hebrew name is Shemot, שמות which means “names.” Shemot is derived from the root word שמ shem.
#8034. שמ shem, a primitive word (perhaps rather from #7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare #8064); an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character:--+ base, (in-)fame(-ous), name, renown, report.
By adding the letters vav and tav ות to the end of the word, it becomes a plural form, names שמות.
Leviticus
Leviticus is in the Hebrew Bible the book of ויקרא Viyikra which means “called out.”
#7121. קרא qara', kaw-raw'. A primitive root. To call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
By adding a Vav and a yood וי to the beginning of קרא, we get ויקרא vayikra which means “he called” or in the context of the verse, “the LORD called out.”
Numbers
When we think of the book of numbers, that is exactly what we think of, long lists of numbers. The book starts out with a census and contains an accounting of the generations of the children of Israel. Name after name, list after list, story after story, the book of Numbers reads like an accountant’s ledger. But it is really about their time in the wilderness which is the Hebrew name for this book, במבר, Bamidbar.
#4057. מבר midbar, mid-bawr' from #1696 in the sense of driving; a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs):--desert, south, speech, wilderness.
Again, as with Bresheet, by adding the letter beit ב to the beginning of the word, we get במבר Bamidbar “in the wilderness.”
Deuteronomy
The last book of the Torah is Deuteronomy. The name Deuteronomy is of Greek origin and literally means “second words”, referring to this book being a restatement of the “nomos,” or the law. In Hebrew this book is called דברים Devarim. It comes from the word דבר dabar.
#1697. דבר dabar, daw-bawr' from #1696; a word; by implication, a (spoken) matter or thing; manner, matter, message, oracle, saying, sentence, song, speech, talk, task, tidings, word, work.
Adding the yood and a mem ים to the end of דבר we get a plural form, דברים Devarim. In this word the letter beit ב is pronounced with a “v” sound. Devarim opens with “These are the words that Moses spoke…” The words are those of God. They are God's words, God's law, God's Torah! So what is the combined meaning of the Hebrew names of these books, the Torah of God?
In the beginning / these are the names / the LORD called out / in the wilderness / and these are His words.
The first five books of the Bible are collectively known as the Torah in Hebrew. The word Torah is most often translated in English as “law” which is derived primarily from the Greek “nomos.” Torah, in turn, comes from the Hebrew word ירה yarah.
#3384. ירה yarah, yaw-raw' a primitive root; to point out (as if by aiming the finger or in archery, aiming an arrow), to teach, direct, inform, instruct (ion), lay, teaching.
But, as we see here, Torah is far more than mere law as we would understand it in English. Torah is literally an “instruction” or “teaching.” The Torah was given to the Children of Israel and the mixed multitude with them, after their redemption from Egypt, after their release from their bondage and slavery. The Torah is instruction from God so that we, as a descendant of Israel (Jacob) or as part of the mixed multitude (the Nations or Gentiles), can fellowship and draw near to God, our redeemer!
The Torah is many faceted. It is the story of our redemption, it is our instruction in living a sanctified life, it is our “constitution” governing our relationships to one another and it contains the entire redemption plan for man and is the story of the Messiah. The word Torah itself is a sign of the one who is to come.
Many Hebrew words, when taking into account the meaning of the individual letters, give us a kind of word picture. Here is a word picture of the word Torah: Hebrew is read right to left.
Torah: תורה
Tav: ת Cross, covenant or sign of the covenant
Vav: ו Nail, tent peg, to secure
Resh: ר Person especially the highest person, head
Hey: ה To reveal.
Torah: The covenant secured by the highest person revealed
or, if read backwards, revealing the highest person nailed to the cross.
Another interesting note is that דבר dabar from which is derived Devarim, can also be translated as “song.’ So the book of Devarim is in a sense “The Song of Yahovah”.
שלום ברוך
Shalom and be blessed
Dan & Brenda Cathcart
Visit our web site at www.moedministries.com
