Command

by Brad Scott

Tzavah (צוה) is the root word for the common Hebrew word mitzvah (מצוה). The meaning is command, commandment or order. We frequently hear the phrases "the 613 mitzvot", or "commandments of YHVH". These commandments are the word of ’Elohiym. The Scriptures tell us in many places (i.e. Ivrim (Hebrews) 11:3; Miz^emor (Psalm) 33:6) that it is the word of ’Elohiym that created all things. But it is also the word of ’Elohiym that sustains all things. The Greek word sunistemi (συνιστήμι) is translated several times from tzavah. This word means to stand together or hold together. In Colossians we read:

Colossians 1:17And He is before all things and by Him all things are held together.

You mean that which holds all things together is the Hebrew word for commandments? It is the commandments of ’Elohiym that are holding the universe together. Could it be that one day no one will regard his mitzvot any longer and the earth will melt away with a fervent heat?

Shalom Alecheim! ◊