The common Hebrew word torah is usually translated "law" in most English versions. This translation comes from the Greek word nomos, which often means "law." The Septuagint (the ancient Greek Old Testament) used nomos to translate torah. Yet, torah basically means "teaching," "instruction," or "doctrine."
The term law often makes people think of rules enforced by an outside authority, like a government. It is often considered to be strict and rigid. Yet, the torah of Moses gives instructions including:
Rules
Stories (Leviticus 10:1–3)
Poetry (Deuteronomy 32:1–43)
Lists of family lines (Exodus 6:14–25)
Other literary forms
Other words translate as "law" and are part of the instructions given to the Israelites. For example, khoq, meaning "statute," refers to a law given by a lawgiver (for example, Leviticus 6:22). It states a general principle, allowing context or courts to interpret how to apply it.
In Leviticus 18:4–5 and 19:37, the Hebrew word khuqqah (meaning "decrees") is paired with mishpatim (meaning "regulations"). These are case laws. It is impossible to write laws for every situation. A case law refers to a court's previous interpretation of a statute in certain cases. The court's past decisions guide similar cases in the present time.
Law is necessary because there will always be people who need it to restrain them from sinning. "Law" can describe much of the Old Testament Torah. More generally, the Torah teaches God's people about him and what their relationship is to him. In a similar way, teaching doctrine and how to live godly are key parts of the Christian church and its life-giving message to the world (Colossians 3:16).
Passages for Further Study
Genesis 26:5; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 6:9, 14; Deuteronomy 17:8–13, 18–20; 2 Kings 10:30–31; 22:8–20; Job 22:21–23; Psalms 40:8; 78:9–12; Proverbs 6:20–23; 13:14; 28:9; Isaiah 8:20; Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:14–17