Lexical Summary esh dath: Fiery law Original Word: אֶשְׁדָּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fiery law From 'esh and dath; a fire-law -- fiery law. see HEBREW 'esh see HEBREW dath NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom esh and dath Definition fire of a law NASB Translation flashing lightning (1). Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting אֶשְׁדָּת appears once, in Moses’ final blessing over Israel: “He said: ‘The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones; at His right hand was a fiery law for them’ ” (Deuteronomy 33:2). The word stands at the heart of a panoramic recollection of the Sinai theophany, highlighting the dramatic union of God’s glory, His angelic host, and the covenantal Torah. Symbolism of Fire in Divine Revelation Fire is consistently tied to God’s self-disclosure—burning bush (Exodus 3:2), smoking mountain (Exodus 19:18), pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21). אֶשְׁדָּת concentrates that imagery into a single expression: law issuing forth as flame. The fiery element conveys: Thus the term does more than describe physical phenomena; it presents the law as living, burning, and active, bringing both comfort and awe. Theology of the Word and Law Placed “at His right hand,” the law is portrayed as proceeding directly from the place of authority and favor, underscoring inspiration and infallibility. The singular occurrence, framed by three geographical references (Sinai, Seir, Paran), roots the Torah in concrete history while heralding its transcendent character. Moses pleads with the tribes to embrace that blazing revelation, for fidelity to it will secure their future (Deuteronomy 33:3–5). Intertestamental and New Testament Echoes Although the term itself does not recur, its imagery reverberates: Through these links, אֶשְׁדָּת becomes a bridge from Mosaic revelation to apostolic witness. Historical and Liturgical Significance Jewish tradition read Deuteronomy 33 on Simchat Torah, celebrating the giving of the law; אֶשְׁדָּת reminded worshipers that the scroll they danced with once burned atop Sinai. Early Christian teachers drew on the verse to defend the unity of Old and New Testaments: the same God who spoke in fire has now spoken in His Son (Hebrews 1:1–2). Implications for Preaching and Discipleship 1. Authority—Teaching must present Scripture as flaming from God’s right hand, not human speculation. Summary אֶשְׁדָּת compresses the majesty of Sinai into a vivid picture: God’s law blazing forth from His right hand. Though it appears only once, the term gathers the biblical themes of revelation, purity, power, and continuity between covenants. For faith and ministry alike, it summons God’s people to hear, obey, and proclaim the word that still burns with divine fire. Forms and Transliterations דָּ֖ת דת Dat dāṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 33:2 HEB: (אֵ֥שׁ ק) (דָּ֖ת ק) לָֽמוֹ׃ NAS: At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them. KJV: from his right hand [went] a fiery law INT: holy his right fiery law |
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