What is the difference between laws, commands, commandments, decrees, and statutes?

Answer

In Deuteronomy 6:1–3, we find laws, commands, commandments, decrees, and statutes: “Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you” (HCSB, verse 1, emphasis added). Other translations may use words like decrees or laws. All of these are part of God’s Law, each with some slight distinctions.

Examining the various Hebrew words used can help to emphasize some of the differences:

“Commandments” in verses 1 and 2 (mitzvah): This is the general Hebrew term for “commandment” and typically refers to the comprehensive list of laws or body of laws given by the Lord in the Books of Moses. This is also the Hebrew term often used when the Lord spoke directly in the Old Testament.

“Statutes” (choq): According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary, this word means “statute, prescription, rule, law, regulation” and can refer to laws of nature (Job 28:26;Jeremiah 5:22;Jeremiah 31:35-36) or what is allocated, rationed, or apportioned to someone (Genesis 47:22;Exodus 29:28).

“Rules” (mishpat): A judicial verdict or formal decree. In the Law of Moses, some of the legal types of rules would fall under this category.

“Statutes/Commands” in verse 2 (chuqqah): Chuqqah has a more specific meaning than choq, according to Vine’s dictionary. It refers to a particular law related to a festival or ritual, such as Passover «And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. », (Exodus 12:14), the Days of UnLeavened Bread «And you shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this very day I have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore you shall observe this day in your generations by an ordinance forever. », (Exodus 12:17), or the Feast of Tabernacles «And you shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations: you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. », (Leviticus 23:41).

All four of these Hebrew words are used throughout the writings of Moses to refer to commands from God to be obeyed by God’s people. Distinctions are sometimes made regarding one word from the other, yet the overall principle is one of obedience to all that the Lord commands, whether it is a general command, a prescribed law, a legal verdict, or a religious festival or ritual.