מִצְוָה (mits.vah)
mits.vah
commandment
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 170 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mitsvah denotes a command or precept, serving as the standard term for divine instructions throughout the Old Testament. Derived from the root meaning "to charge" or "to order," it appears 170 times in Scripture, with significant concentrations in Deuteronomy and Psalms. While it can refer to human directives, such as a teacher’s instruction in Proverbs 7:1, its primary usage highlights God’s authoritative will.
In the biblical text, mitsvah carries the weight of established law rather than a fleeting suggestion. It encompasses both positive duties and prohibitions, as seen when Leviticus 4:13 references "any of the commandments of Jehovah which ought not to be done." This breadth allows it to function as a collective term for the entire body of divine instruction, linking specific rules to the broader covenant relationship.
Translators typically render mitsvah as "commandment," though this English word can sometimes sound legalistic or narrow. The Hebrew term implies a structured order given by a sovereign authority. Its frequent appearance in Deuteronomy 6:17 underscores its role in defining faithful obedience, where keeping these commands is presented as the path to righteousness and life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mitsvah represents more than a list of rules; it is a divine instruction given out of love and care. When God issues a commandment, He is providing a path for His people to live well and remain in relationship with Him. This concept appears frequently in the Old Testament, reminding believers that obedience is an act of trust and gratitude rather than mere duty.
For your daily life, this means viewing God’s guidance as a gift. Just as Abraham kept these commands and found blessing, you can find peace in following His direction. It invites you to see each instruction not as a burden, but as a way to walk closely with the Creator who knows what is best for your soul.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 170 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] commandments of23×
- commandments/ his21×
- commandments/ your19×
- commandments/ my19×
- the/ commandment16×
- [the] commandment of11×
- and/ commandments/ my6×
- according to/ [the] command of5×
- and/ commandments/ his4×
- the/ commandments3×
- from/ commandments/ your3×
- the/ command2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִצְוֹתֶֽי/ךָ\׃6×
- הַ/מִּצְוָ֣ה6×
- מִצְוֹתָי/ו֙5×
- מִצְוֹתַ֣/י5×
- מִצְוֹת֙5×
- מִצְוֹ֣ת5×
- מִצְוַ֥ת5×
- מִצְוֹתָ֖י/ו4×
- מִצְוֹתָ֔י/ו4×
- מִצְוֹתַ֖/י4×
- מִצְוֹתַ֔/י4×
- מִצְוֹ֖ת4×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 5:29
Oh that there were such a heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!
This verse captures the deep desire for a heart that naturally loves and obeys God, showing that mitsvah is about internal devotion rather than external compliance.
-
Genesis 26:5
because Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my requirements, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
Here the term links obedience to the broader covenant relationship, illustrating how keeping commands was central to Abraham’s faithfulness and the resulting blessing.
-
Numbers 15:39
It shall be to you for a fringe, that you may see it, and remember all Yahweh’s commandments, and do them; and that you don’t follow your own heart and your own eyes, after which you used to play the prostitute;
This occurrence connects the physical act of wearing fringes to the spiritual goal of remembering all commandments and avoiding selfish desires.