On the Letter Shin

Shin is the letter corresponding fire traditionally. For fire representing Torah, see the start of Dt XXXIX, both the imagery and the words Esh Dat (one word in MT, two in the Samaritan). Esh Dat = Fire of Religion or Fire of Torah. Dat is borrowed from Persian. It is a past participle meaning Given (like the Latin datum, data). For Dat meaning Torah compare the usage in Daniel. Also the phrase in the Rabbanite marriage ceremony ke-Dat Moshe ve-Yisra’el “according to the Torah of Moses and Israel”. Dat is often mistranslated as law or custom, e.g. in Daniel and in this phrase quoted. However, Dat can mean any religion. By saying Dat instead of Torah, there is a hint of the Torah becoming universally accepted. Dt XXXIX start makes it clear this was the original intention, but remember what I have said over and over about this chapter being future as well. Compare also the Pentecost in Acts.