What does commandment mean?
A commandment is a formal command or rule, used most commonly in religious contexts to describe a divine law — above all the Ten Commandments, the set of moral laws given to Moses according to the Hebrew Bible. In everyday English the word retains a solemn, weighty connotation: it suggests an instruction that must be obeyed rather than merely considered. Beyond scripture, speakers sometimes apply it figuratively, treating a company policy or personal principle as a 'commandment' to emphasize its authority. The term derives from Old French and ultimately from Latin roots relating to entrusting or ordering, which also gave us words like mandate. Because of its biblical associations, 'commandment' appears frequently in discussions of ethics, law, and tradition, making it a useful word for anyone writing about religion, morality, or authoritative rules.
nounA command or rule, especially one of the divine laws given by God in the Bible, most famously the Ten Commandments.
- A divine law or religious precept, especially one of the Ten Commandments of the Hebrew Bible.
- Any authoritative command or rule.
"The rabbi explained how each commandment shaped daily life for the faithful."
"Honor thy father and mother is among the best-known commandments."
"He treated the safety regulations as if they were sacred commandments."
Regular plural; capitalized 'Commandments' typically refers to the biblical Ten Commandments.
"The stone tablets bore ten commandments inscribed upon them."
The word 'commandment' carries the same ancient root as 'demand' — both trace back to the Latin 'mandare', meaning to entrust or order.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of commandment
Commandment comes from Middle English, borrowed from Old French 'comandement', derived from the verb 'comander' (to command), which traces back through Late Latin 'commandare' from 'mandare' (to entrust, order). It entered English around the 13th century, largely through religious texts such as Wycliffe's Bible. Its root 'mandare' also produced cognates such as mandate, demand, and remand.
How commandment is actually used
The plural 'Commandments' is often capitalized when referring specifically to the Ten Commandments. The word carries strong religious connotations but is sometimes used figuratively for any binding principle or rule.
Easily confused with commandment
A command is any order given by anyone, while a commandment specifically denotes a formal rule or law, especially a religious or moral one.