GEN1039 While mishpat is a complex term that even in biblical literature developed many interesting extended uses, its primary use in the Pentateuch may be said to refer to moral rules, the proper or just relationships between people as far as these can be brought under a rule. E. Berkovits, “The Biblical Meaning of Justice, Judaism 18 no. 2.   It is not difficult to imagine how the language in its development proceeded from a consideration of mishpatim as particular decisions rendered by particular judges to the abstract concept of mishpat as justice, or that quality which ought to inform all proper judgments. [this verse and Genesis 19:19] SPERO 24