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Glite Dictionary
first commandment

first commandment

2 6.8
The most important rule to follow in a group or activity
  • noun
  • /fɜrst kəˈmændmənt/
translation icon : primer mandamiento
  • Jesus demands of us that we honor the first commandment (Ex 20:3; Deut 5:7), which means getting rid of whatever god we place before the Lord and then following Jesus into the kingdom.
  • broke the first commandment
  • first commandment says

Examples

  • The first commandment emphasizes the importance of truth and integrity in our actions.

  • The first commandment states: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

    Academic text (1999)

  • What is the first commandment the Lord God gave us?

    Carlito's Way: Rise to Power (2005)

  • The first commandment says that I am the Lord your God.

    Blog text (12)

  • Have you forgotten our first commandment?

    Ninotchka (1939)

  • The first commandment forbids making "any likeness of what is in heaven above," yet God commanded the Israelites to make two cherubim of gold.

    Blog text (34)

  • Understanding the first commandment can help guide our moral decision-making.

  • In many cultures, the first commandment serves as a foundational rule for ethical behavior.

Synonyms

commandment
vsfirst commandment
141 6.7

An important rule given by a religious or moral leader

is focused on being the single most important foundational rule in context
basic principle
vsfirst commandment
22 2.7

An important rule or idea that forms the base for other knowledge

is the most important foundational rule within a specific context
golden rule
vsfirst commandment
3 3.3

A basic idea people always follow in a particular job or activity

is a broader foundational rule rather than a situational always-follow principle

How Important

first commandment
2 6.8
principle
633 3.8
rule
∞ 1.0
guideline
344 3.1
suggestion
759 1.4

Surface Forms

first commandment singular
first commandments plural

Morphology

first + commandment

The meaning 'the most important rule' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'first' (preceding or most important) with 'commandment' (a significant rule or order). This ordinal + noun composition is a regular, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

First commandment comes from the Bible, where the Ten Commandments are a list of rules from God and the first commandment is the top, most important rule. So when people say First commandment today, they mean the single 'most important rule' or principle to follow.