A precept, in biblical terms, refers to a commandment, instruction, or principle intended as a general rule of action or conduct. The concept of precepts is integral to understanding the moral and ethical teachings found within the Bible. Precepts are often seen as divine instructions given by God to guide the behavior and decisions of His people.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most commonly translated as "precept" is "piqqudim," which appears primarily in the Psalms. The psalmist frequently emphasizes the importance of adhering to God's precepts as a demonstration of faithfulness and devotion. For example, Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, repeatedly highlights the significance of God's precepts: "I will keep Your precepts with all my heart" (Psalm 119:69). This chapter underscores the belief that God's precepts are righteous, trustworthy, and a source of wisdom and understanding.

The precepts of the Lord are often associated with the Law given to Moses, which includes the Ten Commandments and other laws that governed the moral, ceremonial, and civil life of Israel. These precepts were intended to set the Israelites apart as a holy nation and to reflect God's character and will.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "entolē" is often used to convey the idea of a commandment or precept. Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of keeping God's commandments as an expression of love for Him: "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15). The teachings of Jesus often expanded upon the precepts found in the Old Testament, bringing a deeper understanding and fulfillment of the Law.

The Apostle Paul also speaks of precepts in his epistles, urging believers to live according to the teachings of Christ and the apostles. In Colossians 2:20-22, Paul warns against adhering to human precepts and teachings that are not rooted in Christ: "If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: 'Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!'? These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings" .

Theological Significance

Precepts in the Bible are not merely rules to be followed; they are expressions of God's will and character. They serve as a guide for righteous living and are intended to lead believers into a deeper relationship with God. The precepts of the Lord are described as pure, enlightening the eyes (Psalm 19:8), and they provide a foundation for ethical and moral decision-making.

For believers, adhering to God's precepts is an act of obedience and worship. It reflects a commitment to live according to God's standards and to seek His guidance in all aspects of life. The precepts of the Bible are seen as timeless truths that transcend cultural and historical contexts, offering wisdom and direction for every generation.(v. t.) To teach by precepts.PRECEPT

pre'-sept: A commandment, an authoritative rule for action; in the Scriptures generally a divine injunction in which man's obligation is set forth (Latin praeceptum, from praecipere, "to instruct").

Four words are so rendered in the King James Version:

(1) mitswah, very frequently (168 times) translated "commandment," but 4 times "precept" (in the Revised Version (British and American) only Jeremiah 35:18 Daniel 9:5);

(2) from the same root is tsaw, or tsaw (Isaiah 28:10, 13);

(3) piqqudhim, only in the Psalms (21 times in Psalm 119, e.g. verses 4, 15, 27; also the Revised Version (British and American) Psalm 19:8; Psalm 103:18; 111:7);

(4) in the New Testament, entole, generally in the King James Version translated "commandment" (68 times), but twice "precept" (Mark 10:5 Hebrews 9:19; in both cases the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "commandment").

See COMMANDMENT.

D. Miall Edwards

1778. entalma -- an injunction, ie religious precept
... an injunction, ie religious precept. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration:
entalma Phonetic Spelling: (en'-tal-mah) Short Definition: an injunction ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1778.htm - 6k

1785. entole -- an injunction, order, command
... commandment, precept. From entellomai; injunction, ie An authoritative prescription --
commandment, precept. see GREEK entellomai. (entolai) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1785.htm - 7k

3852. paraggelia -- an instruction, a command
... paraggelia Phonetic Spelling: (par-ang-gel-ee'-ah) Short Definition: a command,
charge Definition: a command, charge, injunction; a precept, rule of living. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3852.htm - 7k

31. aggelia -- a message
... message. From aggelos; an announcement, ie (by implication) precept -- message.
see GREEK aggelos. (angelia) -- 2 Occurrences. 30, 31. aggelia. 31a . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/31.htm - 5k

3862. paradosis -- a handing down or over, a tradition
... tradition, ordinance. From paradidomi; transmission, ie (concretely) a precept;
specially, the Jewish traditionary law -- ordinance, tradition. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3862.htm - 7k

6490. piqqud -- a precept
... 6489, 6490. piqqud. 6491 . a precept. Transliteration: piqqud Phonetic Spelling:
(pik-kood') Short Definition: precepts. ... commandment, precept, statute. ...
/hebrew/6490.htm - 6k

4687. mitsvah -- commandment
... 1). which was commanded, law, ordinance, precept. From tsavah; a command,
whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) -- (which ...
/hebrew/4687.htm - 6k

6673. tsav -- perhaps command
... commandment, precept. Or tsav {tsawv}; from tsavah; an injunction -- commandment,
precept. see HEBREW tsavah. 6672b, 6673. tsav. 6674 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6673.htm - 6k

8584. teudah -- testimony, attestation
... testimony. From uwd; attestation, ie A precept, usage -- testimony. see HEBREW
uwd. 8583, 8584. teudah. 8585 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8584.htm - 6k

8451. torah -- direction, instruction, law
... bullock, ox. Or torah {to-raw'}; from yarah; a precept or statute, especially the
Decalogue or Pentateuch -- law. see HEBREW yarah. 8450, 8451. torah. 8452 > ...
/hebrew/8451.htm - 6k

Whether the Second Precept of the Decalogue is Fittingly Expressed ...
... OF THE PRECEPTS OF JUSTICE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the second precept of
the decalogue is fittingly expressed? Objection 1: It seems ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the second precept of.htm

Whether Fasting is a Matter of Precept?
... OF FASTING (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether fasting is a matter of precept? Objection
1: It would seem that fasting is not a matter of precept. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether fasting is a matter.htm

Whether the First Precept of the Decalogue is Fittingly Expressed?
... OF THE PRECEPTS OF JUSTICE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the first precept of the
decalogue is fittingly expressed? Objection 1: It seems ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the first precept of.htm

Whether Almsgiving is a Matter of Precept?
... OF ALMSDEEDS (TEN ARTICLES) Whether almsgiving is a matter of precept? Objection
1: It would seem that almsgiving is not a matter of precept. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether almsgiving is a matter.htm

Whether Fraternal Correction is a Matter of Precept?
... OF FRATERNAL CORRECTION (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether fraternal correction is a
matter of precept? Objection 1: It would seem that fraternal ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether fraternal correction is a.htm

On the Third Precept of the Decalogue
... DISPUTATION LXXVI ON THE THIRD PRECEPT OF THE DECALOGUE. This precept,
as well as its predecessor, consists of a command, and of ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxxvi on the third.htm

On the Sixth Precept
... DISPUTATION LXXIX ON THE SIXTH PRECEPT. Order in human society being appointed
by the fifth commandment, through the mutual duties ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxxix on the sixth.htm

Whether the Husband is Bound by Precept to Put Away his Wife when ...
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT THAT SUPERVENES TO MARRIAGE AFTER ITS CONSUMMATION, NAMELY
FORNICATION (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the husband is bound by precept to put away his ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the husband is bound.htm

Whether There Should be a Precept of Hope?
... OF THE PRECEPTS RELATING TO HOPE AND FEAR (TWO ARTICLES) Whether there should
be a precept of hope? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there should be a.htm

Whether Matrimony Still Comes under a Precept?
... MATRIMONY (QQ -67) Whether matrimony still comes under a precept? Objection
1: It would seem that matrimony still comes under a precept. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether matrimony still comes under.htm

Precept (7 Occurrences)
... (vt) To teach by precepts. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PRECEPT. ... See COMMANDMENT.
D. Miall Edwards. Multi-Version Concordance Precept (7 Occurrences). ...
/p/precept.htm - 10k

Snared (11 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 28:13 Therefore the word of Yahweh will be to them precept on precept, precept
on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little ...
/s/snared.htm - 10k

Backward (39 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 28:13 Therefore the word of Yahweh will be to them precept on precept, precept
on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little ...
/b/backward.htm - 18k

Lesson (11 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which is learned or taught by an express effort; instruction derived
from precept, experience, observation, or deduction; a precept; a doctrine; as ...
/l/lesson.htm - 10k

Return (499 Occurrences)
... 26. (n.) The rendering back or delivery of writ, precept, or execution,
to the proper officer or court. 27. (n.) The certificate ...
/r/return.htm - 38k

Commandment (209 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An order or injunction given by authority;
a command; a charge; a precept; a mandate. 2. (n.) One ...
/c/commandment.htm - 47k

Law (670 Occurrences)
... matter He passes to the law of divorce which was one of the civil enactments, and
did not stand on the same level with the moral precept against committing ...
/l/law.htm - 101k

Preceding (7 Occurrences)

/p/preceding.htm - 8k

Precepts (40 Occurrences)

/p/precepts.htm - 17k

Voice (651 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Opinion or choice expressed; judgment; a vote. 7. (n.) Command; precept; --
now chiefly used in scriptural language. 8. (n.) One who speaks; a speaker. ...
/v/voice.htm - 38k

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