sixth commandment: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Religious, Literary, Academic
Quick answer
What does “sixth commandment” mean?
The biblical injunction 'You shall not murder', traditionally the sixth of the Ten Commandments given to Moses.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The biblical injunction 'You shall not murder', traditionally the sixth of the Ten Commandments given to Moses.
The principle or ethical prohibition against unlawful killing, often invoked in discussions of morality, law, and sanctity of life.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Potential minor variation in biblical translation preferences (e.g., 'kill' vs. 'murder').
Connotations
Identical core religious and ethical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably low frequency in general discourse, slightly higher in religious communities in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “sixth commandment” in a Sentence
[verb] the sixth commandmentthe sixth commandment [verb] thataccording to the sixth commandmentVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except potentially in ethical business or corporate social responsibility discussions regarding violence.
Academic
Used in theology, ethics, philosophy, and religious studies when analysing biblical law or moral philosophy.
Everyday
Used in religious instruction, moral debates, or general references to the Ten Commandments.
Technical
Used in theological writings, sermonic language, and legal-historical contexts referencing Mosaic law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sixth commandment”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sixth commandment”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sixth commandment”
- Misnumbering it as the fifth or seventh commandment.
- Misquoting as 'Thou shalt not kill *anyone*' (adding words).
- Confusing it with prohibitions against assault or hatred.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional interpretation focuses on unlawful killing (murder). Debates exist about war, capital punishment, and self-defence.
Different religious traditions (e.g., Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox) combine and divide the biblical verses slightly differently.
It is the traditional English translation from the King James Version. Many modern translations use 'You shall not murder.'
It is found in Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17.
The biblical injunction 'You shall not murder', traditionally the sixth of the Ten Commandments given to Moses.
Sixth commandment is usually formal, religious, literary, academic in register.
Sixth commandment: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪksθ kəˈmɑːndmənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪksθ kəˈmændmənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “break the sixth commandment (to commit murder)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SIX has an 'X' which can look like crossed swords or a prohibition sign – the sixth commandment crosses out killing.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORAL LAW IS A FOUNDATIONAL STONE; THE COMMANDMENT IS A BOUNDARY / FENCE (protecting life).
Practice
Quiz
What is the core prohibition of the sixth commandment?