The number “613” repeatedly appears to describe the number of laws that would have to be followed if one were to claim to obey God’s commandments and achieve salvation through works righteousness. Besides the usual misunderstanding, the question remains: where does this ominous number 613 actually come from?
First an accusation, then comes the 613
When it comes to wanting to keep God’s law (the Ten Commandments) out of obedience born of faith, the agenda of those who advocate “no longer under the law, only grace” and “all laws are abolished and therefore invalid” is quickly reached with the argument that “whoever wants to keep the law is also obligated to keep all 613 laws.” This is accompanied by the accusation that keeping God’s law makes one self-righteous and that one is trying to achieve salvation through works-righteousness. The “extremists” among these “legalists” also express their error by observing the seventh-day Sabbath.
The usual misunderstandings
Such theses and justifications are all based on a misunderstanding of the fundamental difference between the so-called moral law (the Ten Commandments of God) and the ceremonial law (the Law of Moses). The difference between these two legal texts, due to their nature and specific reasons, could not be greater. The eternal Ten Commandments of God, however, remain unchanged to this day, tomorrow, and beyond. The ceremonial laws dictated to Moses have, in fact, been abolished. These were fulfilled through Jesus’ death on the cross (Info).
Once the two sets of laws have been conflated and mixed together, it becomes impossible to discern, for example, when Paul writes about the law, which would actually have to be fully observed if one clung to it despite its abolition and thus sought to achieve righteousness through one’s own efforts. For that is nothing other than the rejection of the saving work of Jesus Christ. Yet the Ten Commandments remain unchanged, without a single stroke, and are not abolished (Matthew 5:18-19).
Paul describes such a situation in Galatians 5:
“Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.” (Galatians 5:2-3)
Unnecessarily quick to hand
And this statement is then also applied to the Ten Commandments. A grave error. Regularly, however, the specific mention of “the 613 laws” follows. But there is no mention of such a number in either the Old or New Testament. Why exactly 613 laws? A follow-up question: where does this number actually come from? Where is it written? Did you count them yourself, or are you simply repeating something you heard or read somewhere? Just as regularly, this question remains unanswered.
One point needs clarification regarding such claims. Anyone who asserts that the Ten Commandments, inscribed by God himself on stone tablets, have also been abolished, would have to demonstrate where, for example, entries like circumcision could be found on them. That’s where things get very difficult.
So, where are 613?
Now, the number “613” is simply circulating, asserted but unexplained. However, the effort required to find out the answer is minimal; one simply needs the will to do so. It quickly becomes apparent that this “613” is mentioned neither in the Old Testament nor the New Testament, but rather derives its definition from the Babylonian Talmud. This is a body of Jewish rules and laws, originally transmitted orally, which reached its (first) completion and was also written down around 600 CE. The Talmud primarily focuses on the interpretation of the Torah (the Five Books of Moses), although it does contain its own formulations of laws, such as the Seven Laws of Noah. But these are found exclusively in the Talmud.
The interpreters are historical rabbis and their views. Just as in the Roman Catholic Church the Bible is to be interpreted according to its own catechism, and this is to be done exclusively by “specially authorized clerics,” so too is the handling of the Torah and Tanakh. Their understanding is rooted in what is found in the Talmud, likewise only through rabbis.
In the Babylonian Talmud
The Talmud contains the Book of Makot. In verse 23b, the number “613” is indeed established. This was done by Rabbi Simlai, a Talmudic rabbi who lived in the 3rd century CE and was born either in Lod or in Babylonia. At least, Simlai lived in Babylonia in his old age. He is also considered the originator of the 613 mitzvot.
“Rabbi Simlai taught: There were 613 mitzvot stated to Moses in the Torah, consisting of 365 prohibitions corresponding to the number of days in the solar year, and 248 positive mitzvot corresponding to the number of a person’s lims. Rav Hammnuna said: What is the verse that alludes to this? It is written: ‘Moses commanded to us the Torah, an inheritence of the congregation of Jacob’ (Deuteronomy 33:4). The word Torah, in terms of its numerical value (gimatriyya), …“
Let’s take a closer look, as these 613 commandments are written in the past tense in relation to the Torah, not in the present tense. Yes, that’s how it appears in the English version of the Babylonian Talmud. One can only speculate about the reason. It’s possible that this formulation was simply the norm in the language.
Subtle diversity
It’s a recurring theme that two or three rabbis usually discuss a matter, disagree on various points, and ultimately reach a definitive conclusion. This applies particularly to the “special rules” regarding what is forbidden and permitted on the Sabbath and the definition of what is actually clean and impure. Three rabbis, three opinions, and one is free to choose the one that best suits the argument and teach it with “Rabbi XYZ said…”
Rabbi Yochanan and Maimonides (c. 1160 AD in Egypt) believed that non-Jews who studied the Torah should die, while Rabbi Meir thought that such a person should be regarded as a high priest. Well, I already know which opinion I would subscribe to and teach (Info).
613s have a certain exclusivity.
The same applies to the 613 laws, which simply stand there without any comprehensible justification or listing. Regardless, even if there were “only 400,” one should count them one day; it wouldn’t change the original meaning and purpose of the actually abolished ceremonial laws. Likewise, nothing changes at all regarding the Ten Commandments of God, which will remain eternal.
It is obvious that even those who call on Jesus Christ 10 times a day, stretch their hands to heaven, testify to their deepest “love”, but believe that there is no longer a law of God, that obedience is works-righteousness, and thus continue their old lifestyle, will likely receive a corresponding answer:
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 7:22-23
The eternal 10 commandments of God – Info
Jesus’ “commandments of love” do NOT supersede the Ten Commandments. – Info
Overcoming sin through God’s power – Info
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
