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# obey

verb (obey, obeys, obeyed, obeying)

«obey» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

To do what a person, rule or law tells you to do. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/obey/#m1)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/obey/#x1)
- We must obey the school rules. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/obey/#x2)
- Always obey the lifeguard's whistle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/obey/#x3)
- Drivers must obey the speed limit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/obey/#x4)
- The soldiers obeyed the general's orders. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/obey/#x5)
- If a stranger tells you to keep a secret, do not obey — tell an adult. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/obey/#x6)
- Everything on Earth obeys the law of gravity. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/obey/#x7)
- "Master, I obey," said the genie. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/obey/#x8)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/obey/#x1)
- 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/obey/#x2)
- Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (Prophets 1SA.15.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/obey/#x3)
- 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/obey/#x4)
- 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/obey/#x5)

### 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.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «obey» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/obey/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«obey» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/obey.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «obey» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/obey/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«obey» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/obey.html) on Mova free.