mishpat

Mishpat (Hebrew: מִשׁפָּט) is a term in Hebrew meaning judgment, justice, or law. It derives from the root SH-P-T and is used to denote both divine judgment and human legal codes. In biblical Hebrew, mishpat conveys the ordering of society by fair judgment and the administration of justice.

Biblical usage: The concept appears throughout the Hebrew Bible as a core attribute of God's justice and as a category of law governing social life. In the Torah, the collection often called Mishpatim (Exodus 21–23; cf. Leviticus and Deuteronomy) comprises civil and criminal statutes—examples include property rights, damages, contracts, and obligations among members of the community. Mishpat is frequently linked with another ethical ideal, tzedek (righteousness), and is invoked by prophets to condemn oppression and ensure fair treatment of the vulnerable.

Rabbinic and legal tradition: In rabbinic literature, mishpat is used to describe civil and criminal law within halakha. It encompasses monetary disputes, ownership, restitution, damages, and the governance of commercial relations. The term is contrasted with chok or statute, which are seen as divine commandments that may be beyond rational explanation. The legal corpus develops through the Mishnah, Tosefta, and Talmud, shaping traditional Jewish jurisprudence.

Modern usage: In modern Hebrew, mishpat is the standard word for "law" or "jurisprudence" in ordinary and legal contexts, as in mishpat Ivri (Hebrew law) or civil law codes. The word remains a central semantic field in religious, philosophical, and legal discussions about justice and governance.