Precepts
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In biblical terminology, "precepts" refer to commandments, instructions, or principles intended to guide behavior and belief. The term is often used in the context of God's laws and teachings, which are meant to direct the lives of the faithful. Precepts are seen as divine guidelines that help believers live in a manner pleasing to God, ensuring a life of righteousness and holiness.

Old Testament Usage

The concept of precepts is prominently featured in the Old Testament, particularly in the Psalms. The Hebrew word often translated as "precepts" is "piqqudim," which conveys the idea of mandates or authoritative orders. These precepts are considered an integral part of the Torah, the law given by God to the people of Israel.

Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, extensively discusses the importance of God's precepts. The psalmist expresses a deep love and reverence for these divine instructions, recognizing them as a source of wisdom and understanding. For example, Psalm 119:4-5 states, "You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in keeping Your statutes!"

The precepts of the Lord are portrayed as trustworthy and righteous, providing guidance and stability. Psalm 19:8 declares, "The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes."

New Testament Context

While the term "precepts" is less frequently used in the New Testament, the concept remains significant. Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of adhering to God's commandments and teachings. In Matthew 5:17-19 , Jesus affirms the enduring relevance of the law: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

The apostle Paul also underscores the importance of following God's precepts, particularly in the context of living a life that reflects the teachings of Christ. In Romans 8:4 , Paul writes, "so that the righteous standard of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

Theological Significance

Precepts are not merely rules to be followed; they are expressions of God's character and will. They serve as a moral compass, guiding believers in their daily lives and helping them to cultivate a relationship with God. By adhering to these divine instructions, believers demonstrate their love and commitment to God, as well as their desire to live in accordance with His will.

The precepts of God are seen as a source of spiritual nourishment and growth. They provide clarity and direction in a world often marked by confusion and moral ambiguity. As such, they are cherished by those who seek to live a life of faithfulness and devotion to God.
Greek
1778. entalma -- an injunction, ie religious precept
... See 1785 (). Word Origin from entellomai Definition an injunction, ie religious
precept NASB Word Usage commandments (1), precepts (2). commandment. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1778.htm - 6k

5084. teresis -- a watching, hence imprisonment, a keeping
... Feminine Transliteration: teresis Phonetic Spelling: (tay'-ray-sis) Short Definition:
a prison, observance Definition: a prison; observance (as of precepts). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5084.htm - 7k

4747. stoicheion -- one of a row, hence a letter (of the alphabet) ...
... refers to "the with which mankind . . were (before the time of Christ), ie the
elements of religious training or the ceremonial precepts common alike ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4747.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew
6490. piqqud -- a precept
... 6489, 6490. piqqud. 6491 . a precept. Transliteration: piqqud Phonetic
Spelling: (pik-kood') Short Definition: precepts. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6490.htm - 6k
Library

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Precepts of Justice?
... OF THE PRECEPTS OF JUSTICE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the precepts of the decalogue
are precepts of justice? Objection 1: It seems that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 6.htm

Whether all the Moral Precepts of the Old Law are Reducible to the ...
... OF THE MORAL PRECEPTS OF THE OLD LAW (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether all the moral precepts
of the Old Law are reducible to the ten precepts of the decalogue? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all the moral precepts 2.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Suitably Formulated?
... OF THE MORAL PRECEPTS OF THE OLD LAW (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the precepts
of the decalogue are suitably formulated? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 3.htm

Whether the Ten Precepts of the Decalogue are Set in Proper Order?
... OF THE MORAL PRECEPTS OF THE OLD LAW (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the ten precepts
of the decalogue are set in proper order? Objection ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the ten precepts of.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Suitably Distinguished ...
... OF THE MORAL PRECEPTS OF THE OLD LAW (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the precepts
of the decalogue are suitably distinguished from one another? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Parts of Fortitude are Suitably Given ...
... OF THE PRECEPTS OF FORTITUDE (TWO ARTICLES) Whether the precepts of the
parts of fortitude are suitably given in the Divine Law? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 7.htm

Whether the Moral Precepts of the Law are About all the Acts of ...
... OF THE MORAL PRECEPTS OF THE OLD LAW (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the moral precepts
of the Law are about all the acts of virtue? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the moral precepts of.htm

Whether, Besides the Moral and Ceremonial Precepts, There are Also ...
... Whether, besides the moral and ceremonial precepts, there are also judicial
precepts? Objection 1: It would seem that there are ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether besides the moral and.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Dispensable?
... OF THE MORAL PRECEPTS OF THE OLD LAW (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the precepts
of the decalogue are dispensable? Objection 1: It would ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 4.htm

Whether the Precepts of the virtues Annexed to Temperance are ...
... OF THE PRECEPTS OF TEMPERANCE (TWO ARTICLES) Whether the precepts of the virtues
annexed to temperance are suitably given in the Divine law? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 8.htm

Thesaurus
Precepts (40 Occurrences)
...Precepts (40 Occurrences). Matthew 15:9 but it is in vain they worship Me, while
they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'" (WEY ASV NAS RSV). ...
/p/precepts.htm - 17k

Meditate (37 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Psalms 119:15 I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways. ...
Psalms 119:27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! ...
/m/meditate.htm - 16k

Precept (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To teach by precepts. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. PRECEPT. pre'-sept: A commandment, an authoritative ...
/p/precept.htm - 10k

Ten (234 Occurrences)
... which were broken. Moses was commanded to write the special precepts given
by God during this interview; but the. Ten Commandments ...
/t/ten.htm - 60k

Lovest (13 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:9 For the precepts, "Thou shalt not commit adultery," "Thou shalt do no
murder," "Thou shalt not steal," "Thou shalt not covet," and all other ...
/l/lovest.htm - 10k

Washing (56 Occurrences)
... Moses had commanded washings oft, but always for some definite cause; but the Jews
multiplied the legal observance till they formed a large body of precepts. ...
/w/washing.htm - 38k

Wandered (29 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 119:110 The wicked have laid a
snare for me; but I have not wandered from thy precepts. (DBY YLT). ...
/w/wandered.htm - 15k

Mere (56 Occurrences)
... Mere (56 Occurrences). Matthew 15:9 but it is in vain they worship Me, while
they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'" (WEY). ...
/m/mere.htm - 22k

Perversely (15 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 119:78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me
without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts. (KJV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/p/perversely.htm - 11k

Commandments (181 Occurrences)
... In the Ten Commandments, or, more properly, Ten Words, EVm (debharim), they are
reduced to a few all-comprehensive precepts of permanent validity, upon which ...
/c/commandments.htm - 65k

Resources
Are the Ten Commandments taken from the forty-two precepts of Ma'at? | GotQuestions.org

What is Judaism and what do Jews believe? | GotQuestions.org

What should we learn from Psalm 119? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Precepts (40 Occurrences)

Matthew 15:9
but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'"
(WEY ASV NAS RSV)

Mark 7:7
But idle is their devotion while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'
(WEY ASV NAS RSV)

Luke 1:6
They were both of them upright before God, blamelessly obeying all the Lord's precepts and ordinances.
(WEY)

Romans 2:26
If therefore the uncircumcised keep the ordinances of the law, won't his uncircumcision be accounted as circumcision?
(See RSV)

Romans 13:9
For the precepts, "Thou shalt not commit adultery," "Thou shalt do no murder," "Thou shalt not steal," "Thou shalt not covet," and all other precepts, are summed up in this one command, "Thou shalt love thy fellow man as much as thou lovest thyself."
(WEY)

Galatians 3:10
All who are depending upon their own obedience to the Law are under a curse, for it is written, "Cursed is every one who does not remain faithful to all the precepts of the Law, and practise them."
(WEY)

Colossians 2:20
If you have died with Christ and have escaped from the world's rudimentary notions, why, as though your life still belonged to the world, do you submit to such precepts as
(WEY)

Colossians 2:22
(all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men?
(WEB ASV RSV)

Deuteronomy 33:10
They shall teach Jacob your ordinances, and Israel your law. They shall put incense before you, and whole burnt offering on your altar.
(See NIV)

Nehemiah 9:14
And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
(KJV WBS)

Psalms 19:8
Yahweh's precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh's commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 103:18
to those who keep his covenant, to those who remember to obey his precepts.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS NIV)

Psalms 111:7
The works of his hands are truth and justice. All his precepts are sure.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 111:10
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do his precepts: his praise abideth for ever.
(DBY NIV)

Psalms 119:4
You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:15
I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:27
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:40
Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:45
I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:56
This is my way, that I keep your precepts.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:63
I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:69
The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:78
Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:87
They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn't forsake your precepts.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:93
I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:94
I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:100
I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:104
Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:110
The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:128
Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:134
Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:141
I am small and despised. I don't forget your precepts.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:159
Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:168
I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:173
Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:176
I wandered as a lost sheep, seek Thy servant, For Thy precepts I have not forgotten!
(YLT)

Proverbs 4:2
For I give you good teaching; do not give up the knowledge you are getting from me.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 35:18
Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, Thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according to all that he commanded you;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV)

Daniel 9:5
we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your ordinances;
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Hosea 8:12
I wrote for him the many things of my law; but they were regarded as a strange thing.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Precepts

Related Terms

Precepts (40 Occurrences)

Forest (67 Occurrences)

Precincts (2 Occurrences)

Close (186 Occurrences)

Station (78 Occurrences)

Babel (3 Occurrences)

Babylon (270 Occurrences)

Greece (15 Occurrences)

Ancient (64 Occurrences)

Dress (38 Occurrences)

Religion (23 Occurrences)

Precept
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