The word eshdath (אֶשְׁדַּת) appears in the debated phrase of Deuteronomy 33:2, in Moses' final blessing over Israel. It appears to be a compound of esh (fire, אֵשׁ) and dat (law/decree, דָּת), translated 'a fiery law' — the Torah as emanating from divine fire and glory.
The association of fire and law is profound in biblical theology. God appeared in the burning bush (Exodus 3) and descended on Sinai in fire and smoke (Exodus 19:18) when giving the Torah. The Torah was not a human invention — it came from the consuming fire of God's holy presence. Jeremiah 31:33 promises the New Covenant: 'I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.' Pentecost brought tongues of fire resting on believers (Acts 2:3), signaling a new Sinai moment where the Spirit writes the fiery law on the heart.