Befehlung

Befehlung is a German noun that denotes the act or process of issuing commands or orders. The term is uncommon in everyday language and is mainly found in historical, legal, military, or formal administrative contexts. In modern usage, the more common word for the directive itself is Befehl, while Befehlung is typically used to refer to the act of giving or receiving an instruction.

In usage, Befehlung appears in discussions of command structures and organizational authority. It can be found in phrases such as eine Befehlung erteilen (to issue an order) or unter Befehlung stehen (to be under orders). The term is often contrasted with other related concepts such as Anordnung (order/directive) or Befugnis (authority), where Befehlung emphasizes the procedural aspect of commanding rather than the content of the instruction.

Historically, Befehlung has relevance in studies of military law, bureaucratic practice, and organizational discipline. It is frequently encountered in older documents, treaties, or analyses that describe how commands are transmitted within chains of command. In discussions of responsibility, the distinction between acting on a Befehlung versus acting independently is part of broader debates about obedience and accountability.

See also: Befehl, Anordnung, Befugnis, Befehlslage.