bə̇ˈhest, bē- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English behǣs, from behātan to promise, from be- + hātan to promise, command, call — more at hight
1. obsolete : promise
the land of behest
2.
a. : command
at divine behest
signs of imperfect obedience to military behests — A.M.Young
b. : a strong often authoritative request : demand
at the behest of Congress an investigation was made
c. : urgent prompting : insistent desire
at the behest of friends he would sometimes read his own poems aloud