Precept

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Ἐντολή (Strong'S #1785 — Noun Feminine — entole — en-tol-ay' )

"a commandment," is translated "precept" in  Mark 10:5 (RV, "commandment"); so   Hebrews 9:19 . See Commandment , No. 2.

2: Ἔνταλμα (Strong'S #1778 — Noun Neuter — entalma — en'-tal-mah )

is always translated "precepts" in the RV; see Commandment , No. 3.

King James Dictionary

PRE'CEPT, n. L. proeceptum, from proecipio, to command proe, before, and capio, to take.

1. In a general sense, any commandment or order intended as an authoritative rule of action but applied particularly to commands respecting moral conduct. The ten commandments are so many precepts for the regulation of our moral conduct.

No arts are without their precepts.

2. In law, a command or mandate in writing.

Charles Buck Theological Dictionary

A rule given by a superior; a direction or command. The precepts of religion, says Saurin, are not essential as the doctrines; and religion will as certainly sink, if the morality be subverted, as if the theology be undermined. The doctrines are only proposed to us as the ground of our duty.

See Doctrine

Webster's Dictionary

(v. t.) To teach by precepts.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

prē´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) מצוה , micwāh , 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 צו , cāw , or וי , caw ( Isaiah 28:10 ,  Isaiah 28:13 ); (3) פּקּוּדים , piḳḳūdhı̄m , only in the Psalms (21 times in Ps 119, e.g.  Psalm 119:4 ,  Psalm 119:15 ,  Psalm 119:27; also the Revised Version (British and American)  Psalm 19:8;  Psalm 103:18;  Psalm 111:7 ); (4) in the New Testament, ἐντολή , entolḗ , 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 .

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

is a direction, command, or rule enjoined by a superior. Religious precepts are divided into moral and positive. The precepts of religion, says Saurin, are as essential as the doctrines; and religion will as certainly sink if the morality be subverted, as if the theology be undermined. The doctrines are only proposed to us as the ground of our duty. A moral precept derives its force from its intrinsic fitness; a positive precept from the authority which enjoins it. Moral precepts are commanded because they are right; positive are right because commanded. The duty of honoring our parents and of observing the Sabbath are instances, respectively, of each kind of precept. (See Law).