obey

Everyday

To do what a person, rule or law tells you to do. tree →

In the lessons

In citizenship and safety lessons: obey the rules of the road, obey a lifeguard's whistle, obey safety signs and the law. In stories: soldiers obey orders, servants obey a king, a dog obeys commands. Also in science: objects «obey the laws of physics». Lessons also teach that you should never obey someone who tells you to do something harmful or secret — tell a trusted adult.

Examples

• Dogs can learn to obey commands like «sit». tree →
• We must obey the school rules. tree →
• Always obey the lifeguard's whistle. tree →
• Drivers must obey the speed limit. tree →
• The soldiers obeyed the general's orders. tree →
• If a stranger tells you to keep a secret, do not obey — tell an adult. tree →
• Everything on Earth obeys the law of gravity. tree →
• "Master, I obey," said the genie. tree →

Note

Regular verb: obeyed (keep the «y»). Noun: «obedience»; adjective: «obedient». Opposite: «disobey». «Obey» is stronger than «listen to»: it means you actually do what you are told.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, to obey is to listen to God's voice and do what is commanded, with "hear" and "do" tied closely together.

Interpretation. Israel's answer at Sinai, "we will do, and obey" (na'aseh v'nishma), is famous. Tradition praises doing before fully understanding.

Examples

• And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the hearing of the people; and they said: 'All that the LORD hath spoken will we do, and obey.' (Torah EXO.24.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• The word of God is in them as they burst forth, and as they return; they obey the divine command, rushing along as a whirlwind, returning to prostrate themselves at his throne. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887) tree →
• Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (Prophets 1SA.15.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• The sons of the stranger dwindle away before me; as soon as they hear of me, they obey me. (Prophets 2SA.22.45, JPS 1917) tree →
• As soon as they hear of me, they obey me; the sons of the stranger dwindle away before me. (Writings PSA.18.45, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: obeyed (keep the «y»). Noun: «obedience»; adjective: «obedient». Opposite: «disobey». «Obey» is stronger than «listen to»: it means you actually do what you are told.