The spelling of the word "decalogue" can be tricky. It is pronounced \ˈdɛkəˌlɔːɡ\ (dekuh-lawg) in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "dec" is pronounced like the word "deck," while the second syllable "a" is pronounced like the sound in "cat." The final syllable "logue" is pronounced like the word "log" with the addition of a soft "u" sound at the end. The word "decalogue" refers to the Ten Commandments, and is often used in religious contexts.
The term "Decalogue" refers to a set of religious or ethical commandments that are considered fundamental or guiding principles. Derived from the Greek words "deka," meaning ten, and "logos," meaning word or saying, Decalogue specifically denotes a series of ten fundamental and universal commandments. The most well-known and significant form of the Decalogue is the Ten Commandments, which are found in the biblical book of Exodus and are regarded as foundational principles in both Judaism and Christianity.
The Decalogue encompasses a range of moral, ethical, and religious principles that are believed to have been given by God to guide human behavior and foster ethical conduct. They include commandments such as "You shall have no other gods before me," "You shall not steal," and "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor," among others. These commandments are considered essential for maintaining harmonious human relationships and promoting a just and moral society.
Beyond its religious contexts, the term may also be used metaphorically to refer to any set of guiding principles or rules that are regarded as central and universal. In this sense, the Decalogue can be seen as a framework for moral conduct and a guide for personal and societal ethics. Whether within the religious context of the biblical Ten Commandments or in a broader sense, the Decalogue serves as a beacon, providing clear and timeless instructions for individuals and societies to navigate their moral and ethical path.
The ten commandments, originally written on two tables of stone.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "decalogue" comes from the Greek word "dekalogos", which is a combination of "deka" meaning "ten" and "logos" meaning "word" or "saying". In the context of its usage, "dekalogue" refers specifically to the Ten Commandments, the biblical set of moral laws attributed to Moses.