Bits of Torah Truths – Torah Concept in the NT: Let Us Lay Aside Besetting Sin – Episode 627
Hebrews 12:1
לָכֵן גַּם אֲנַחְנוּ, אֲשֶׁר עֲנַן עֵדִים כָּזֶה אוֹפֵף אוֹתָנוּ, נָסִירָה נָא כָּל מַעֲמָסָה וְגַם אֶת הַחֵטְא הַלּוֹכֵד עַל נְקַלָּה, וּבְסַבְלָנוּת נָרוּצָה אֶת הַמֵּרוֹץ הֶעָרוּךְ לְפָנֵינוּ,
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Hebrews 12:1
12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (NASB)
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The Torah contains several deep structural parallels to the concept of “laying aside besetting sin” as found in Hebrews 12:1. While the NT frames it as a personal and communal call to shed persistent sin that entangles, the Torah embeds this principle in covenantal purification, removal of habitual defilement, and decisive separation from recurring transgression. – Torah Parallels to Laying Aside Besetting Sin – Recurring Sin and Atonement — Leviticus 4 & 5 These chapters outline sin offerings for repeated or habitual transgressions. The Torah acknowledges that sin can be ongoing and provides a system for recognition, confession, and removal. The Hebrew chet חֵטְא and asham אָשָׁם offerings reflect the need to lay aside guilt and restore covenant alignment. Yom Kippur as National Purge — Leviticus 16 The Day of Atonement is not just for isolated sins but for accumulated defilement. It’s a systemic cleansing, a laying aside of all that has built up and entangled the people. Idolatry and Covenant Violation — Exodus 32 (Golden Calf) After the people fall into idolatry, Moses calls for a decisive break: “Whoever is on the Lord’s side, come to me!” This is a moment of radical separation from besetting sin, not just repentance, but a call to action and allegiance. Call to Circumcise the Heart — Deuteronomy 10:16 “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.” This metaphor speaks directly to removing internal resistance to God, the stubbornness that leads to repeated sin. It’s a spiritual surgery, laying aside the root of habitual rebellion. Choose Life, Not Death — Deuteronomy 30:19 Moses exhorts Israel to decisively turn from sin and choose covenant faithfulness. This is a volitional laying aside of destructive patterns. Hebrews 12:1 urges believers to “lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles.” The Torah parallels this through: Sacrificial systems for habitual sin, National purging of accumulated defilement, Calls to radical separation from rebellion, and Heart-level transformation and volitional choice. In both the NT and the Torah the call is not just to avoid sin, but to decisively remove what entangles, whether through ritual, repentance, or renewal. This is how the Author of the book of Hebrews taught Torah, the Torah has not passed away!
