This morning, in my devotional time Yahweh guided me to Psalm 108 and as I was reading it, verse 8 stopped me in my tracks.
“Gilead is Mine; Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Judah is My lawgiver.”
I would like to take a brief moment before beginning to focus on the second half of the psalm- particularly where it shifts toward national restoration and divine warfare, recalling Yahweh’s promises regarding Israel’s land and victory over enemy nations. I find it very wonderful that the psalm echoes prophetic themes of Yahweh using Israel as an instrument of His will, demonstrating both divine justice and the role of human agency in fulfilling His decrees. Hence, the role of Judah as the lawgiver is a profound biblical theme that connects directly to Yahshua (Joshua) of Nazareth as the promised Messianic King.
It’s so beautiful but also so bittersweet in that while it lifts my heart to great heights it also angers me, saddens me, frustrates me (all of the above) in how this is in contrast to the so many within Christianity who promote a lawless Messiah, detached from the Torah, devoid of a Hebraic understanding that reveals how Yahshua was/is a Torah teacher, fulfilling and upholding the very instructions of Yahweh.
He is the “Lion” of the Tribe of Judah. Royal. Kingly. Authoritative.
Lawful.
What I want to do in this post is explore how Scripture defines Judah as the lawgiver, how that role points to Joshua of Nazareth, and how it’s utterly disconnected with modern Christian theology, which presents (and worships) a Messiah who tells his followers that the Torah is void.
Judah as the Lawgiver in Scripture
The concept of Judah as the lawgiver is rooted in several key biblical passages. The tribe of Judah was not just a political or royal entity but was entrusted with leadership, governance, and the preservation of Yahweh’s law.
1. Genesis 49:10 – Judah’s Prophetic Role
“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.”
This prophecy, spoken by Jacob (Israel) over his son Judah, establishes that the scepter (symbol of kingship) and the role of lawgiving would remain within Judah’s lineage until the arrival of Shiloh—a Messianic figure. The phrase “nor a lawgiver from between his feet” signifies that Judah would be responsible for governing and upholding the Torah.
2. Psalm 60:7 & Psalm 108:8 – Judah Identified as the Lawgiver
“Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of my head; Judah is my lawgiver.” (Psalm 60:7)
This verse reaffirms that Judah was chosen as the tribe through which divine governance and instruction would be given. This is significant because it shows that lawgiving was not just about civil rule but also about Torah instruction and leadership among the tribes of Israel.
3. Deuteronomy 33:7 – Judah’s Role in Leading Israel
“And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, YHWH, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou a help to him from his enemies.”
Moses’ blessing over Judah acknowledges the tribe’s leadership role and Yahweh’s help in battle, reinforcing the connection between kingship, governance, and Torah instruction.
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah: Yahshua’s Connection
The role of Judah as the lawgiver finds its ultimate fulfillment in Yahshua, who is identified as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah in the New Testament.
1. Revelation 5:5 – The Lion of Judah Has Prevailed
“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”
This passage confirms that Yahshua, as the descendant of David (from the tribe of Judah), is the one who has the authority to rule and judge. The image of the Lion of Judah conveys power, authority, and kingship—fitting descriptions for the true lawgiver and ruler over Yahweh’s people.
2. Hebrews 7:14 – It Is Evident That Messiah Is from Judah
“For it is evident that our Master sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.”
Yahshua’s physical descent from Judah fulfills the prophetic role of the lawgiver. However, the passage also highlights a key point: Judah was not associated with the Levitical priesthood, meaning Yahshua’s priesthood is different—it is according to the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:17), which combines kingship and priesthood in a way unique to Messiah.
3. Matthew 5:17-19 – Yahshua, the Torah-Teaching Lawgiver
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”
Yahshua directly affirms that His purpose is not to abolish the Torah, but rather to fulfill (establish, teach, and live out) its true intent. As the lawgiver from Judah, He does not replace the Torah with a new law but restores its proper understanding.
The Lawless Messiah of Mainstream Christianity
Many modern Christian teachings present a Messiah who abolished the Torah, contradicting both Scripture and Yahshua’s own words.
1. The Doctrine of Grace Without Torah
A common belief is that Messiah’s death “freed” believers from the Law and that they are now under grace alone (often citing Ephesians 2:8-9). While salvation is indeed by grace, this theology misinterprets Paul’s writings and ignores passages where Paul upholds Torah observance (Acts 24:14).
Paul himself said:
“Do we then make void the law through faith? Elohim forbid: yea, we establish the law.” (Romans 3:31)
“Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of Yahweh.” (1 Corinthians 7:19)
2. The “New Law” vs. Torah
Many claim that Yahshua gave a new law based on love, rather than Torah. However, this idea misunderstands the Hebrew concept of Torah, which itself is based on love:
• “You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
• “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)
Yahshua quotes these Torah commandments (Matthew 22:37-40), showing that the Torah’s foundation has always been love.
3. The “End of the Law” Misinterpretation
Romans 10:4 is often used to claim that Messiah ended the Law:
“For Messiah is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.”
However, the Greek word “telos” (τέλος) used here does not mean termination, but rather goal or purpose. Yahshua is the goal of the Torah, meaning He is the perfect example of how to live according to Yahweh’s instructions.
Joshua (Yahshua) of Nazareth: A Torah-Teaching Messiah
Rather than being a lawless figure, Yahshua was a Torah-observant teacher who upheld Yahweh’s commandments.
1. He Kept and Taught the Torah
• Observed Sabbath (Luke 4:16)
• Celebrated Yahweh’s Feasts (John 7:14)
• Wore tzitzit (fringes) as commanded in Torah (Matthew 9:20)
2. He Warned Against Lawlessness
In Matthew 7:21-23, Yahshua rejects those who claim to follow Him but are lawless (anomia – without Torah):
“Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!”
This shows that lawlessness is not a trait of His true disciples.
3. Obedience to the Commands are Life-giving
Joshua expresses this teaching in Matthew 19:17:
“If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17, NKJV)
He reaffirms the foundational teaching that obedience to Yahweh’s commandments (mitzvot) is the path to life. This aligns with Deuteronomy 30:15-16, where Yahweh sets before Israel the choice of life and death, urging them to choose life by obeying His Torah. Joshua is not abolishing the commandments but emphasizing their role in one’s relationship with Yahweh (which brings LIFE).
The True Lawgiver of Judah
In close, it’s so very crucial to have the Hebraic understanding of Judah as the lawgiver (not a Greek Western one) and how it points directly to Yahshua as the Messianic King and Torah teacher. I find it abhorrent how mainstream Christian theology promotes a counterfeit messiah who supposedly “kept” the law for himself, but yet abolished the Law for his followers? So many are blinded to the fact that this contradicts the words of the entire Bible.
We must work to restore the true Torah-based identity of Yahshua, and see that:
1. Judah’s lawgiving role was prophetic of Messiah.
2. Yahshua, as the Lion of Judah, fulfills this role.
3. He upheld and taught the Torah, to his followers in 2025 rather than abolishing it.
4. Lawlessness is rejected by Yahshua, meaning Torah still matters (and always will).
Understanding Yahshua in His rightful Hebraic context allows us to follow the true Messiah—not one who is detached from Torah and promotes lawlessness, but the GENUINE who embodies and teaches Yahweh’s righteous instructions. He is in the rightful Tribe, the one Yahweh ordained for him.
“Judah is My lawgiver.”
Afflicted 4 Messiah 
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